Neuropsychologist, psychologist or social worker: who should you consult?
The essentials: in Quebec these titles are not interchangeable. Certain activities are reserved by law to specific professions: evaluating neuropsychological disorders requires an attestation from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, practising psychotherapy requires a permit, and the psychosocial assessment that leads to a tutorship or the homologation of a protection mandate is reserved exclusively to social workers. Knowing this saves you from paying for a report that will not be accepted.
Why titles genuinely matter in Quebec
Many people pick a professional on instinct, then find out too late that the document produced does not meet the requirement of the court, the insurer or the school. In Quebec, the professional system reserves certain activities to specific orders precisely because they carry a risk of harm.
In practice: a competent, well-meaning professional may still not be authorized to do the one thing you need. The right instinct is to start from the goal, not from the title.
The psychologist
A psychologist evaluates psychological functioning and mental disorders, and practises psychotherapy. This is the professional to see for sustained therapy, to clarify a mental disorder diagnosis, or to understand what is driving distress that will not lift.
The title of psychologist is reserved to members of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
The neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist is first a psychologist. What sets them apart is an additional attestation issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, authorizing them to evaluate neuropsychological disorders. Only holders of that attestation may use the title.
You consult one for an objective picture of cognitive functioning: memory, attention, executive functions, processing speed. That is the route for documenting adult ADHD, a learning disorder, or cognitive change after a stroke, chemotherapy or in ageing.
Worth remembering: an online questionnaire does not replace an assessment. It is the standardized testing and the clinical analysis that produce a report a physician, a cegep, a university or an employer will accept.
The social worker
A social worker evaluates a person's social functioning, meaning the interaction between their situation, the people around them and their environment. They work on the relational, family, financial and organizational difficulties that weigh on mental health.
One activity is reserved to them exclusively: the psychosocial assessment of a person in the context of tutorship to a person of full age, a protection mandate or temporary representation of an incapable person of full age. No other profession may produce that report. If your goal is to have a protection mandate homologated or a tutorship opened, you need a social worker, full stop.
Social workers also share other reserved assessments, notably in youth protection, child custody and access rights, and adoption.
So what about psychotherapy?
This is the most misunderstood point. In Quebec, psychotherapy is a reserved activity: it requires a psychologist permit, a physician permit, or a psychotherapist permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
That psychotherapist permit can be applied for by members of seven professional orders: guidance counsellors, criminologists, occupational therapists, nurses, psychoeducators, sexologists, and social workers and couple and family therapists. In other words, a social worker can practise psychotherapy, but only while holding that permit.
Many practitioners offer support, coaching or helping relationships without being psychotherapists. That is not illegal, but it is not the same thing. Always check the exact title and permit before committing.
Start from your goal, not the title
- You want to understand why you forget everything and lose the thread at work: a neuropsychologist, for a cognitive assessment;
- You need a protection mandate homologated or a tutorship opened for a relative: a social worker, for the psychosocial assessment;
- You are going through anxiety, depression or grief and want ongoing support: a psychologist, or a professional holding a psychotherapist permit;
- You and your partner need to settle custody and division after separating: an accredited family mediator;
- You are on work leave and preparing a return: an occupational therapist, often alongside psychological follow up.
How to check before you pay
Every professional order keeps a public online register. Before an expensive mandate, take two minutes to check three things: is the professional in good standing, do they hold the attestation or permit required for the activity in question, and does the report you will receive match precisely what the requesting body asks for. That last question is for the requester, not the professional.
At Clinique Octobre
Our team brings several of these professions under one roof: social work, neuropsychology, occupational therapy and family mediation. That means if your initial request does not match the right professional, we redirect you internally rather than sending you back to square one. You can meet the team before booking. Services are offered in person in Laval and by teleconsultation anywhere in Quebec.
FAQ
What is the difference between a psychologist and a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is a psychologist who also holds an attestation from the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec allowing them to evaluate neuropsychological disorders. Only holders of that attestation may use the title neuropsychologist.
Can a social worker practise psychotherapy?
Only if they hold a psychotherapist permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec. In Quebec, practising psychotherapy requires a psychologist permit, a physician permit or a psychotherapist permit.
Who can carry out the psychosocial assessment for a tutorship or protection mandate?
That assessment is reserved exclusively to social workers. No other profession may produce it in the context of tutorship to a person of full age, a protection mandate or temporary representation.
Do I need a medical referral to consult privately?
No. In the private sector you can book directly, without a medical referral, whichever professional you see. A referral is generally required in the public system.
How do I check that a professional is in good standing?
Every professional order keeps a public register you can search online. You can confirm the professional's name, their status and, where applicable, any additional attestation or permit.
Where do I start if I do not know which professional to see?
Simply describe your situation and your goal, for example a diagnosis, a report for the court or ongoing therapy. We will point you to the right professional, or to an outside resource if the need goes beyond what we offer.
Not sure which professional you need? Write to us
Describe your situation and your goal. We will point you to the right person, in Laval or by teleconsultation. Services offered in three languages: French, English and Arabic.
Contact us for pricing and informationSources: Ordre des psychologues du Québec, What type of professional should I consult? · OPQ, What is psychotherapy? (French) · OTSTCFQ, Reserved professional activities (French). See also our Neuropsychology, Psychosocial evaluation, Individual therapy and FAQ pages. This article is informational and does not replace professional advice.
