Job prospects Psychologist in Ontario

Job opportunities for Psychologists (NOC 4151) are fair in Ontario over the next 3 years. This job outlook is also applicable to people working as a psychologist.

Note that the current 2019-2021 Employment Outlook was published in December 2019 based on information available at that time.

Job opportunities in Ontario

psychologist
Outlook over the next 3 years
Fair

The employment outlook will be fair for Psychologists (NOC 4151) in Ontario for the 2019-2021 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
  • Several positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

In Ontario, approximately half of psychologists are employed in the health care sector, mainly in their own offices. A smaller percentage is also employed directly in hospitals or offer medical and educational psychology counselling services. This occupation has a higher rate of part-time employment than all occupations in Ontario, and a large share of psychologists are self-employed.

Employment growth in this occupation is largely dependent on the demand for psychological services. An increasing awareness of mental health, recent investments in improving access to mental health and addictions treatment and prevention services, and a recent focus on youth mental health are all factors that will drive the demand for these professionals. Further, efforts to increase access to mental health services for Indigenous individuals and provide support services to survivors of residential schools and their families should lead to opportunities for psychologists who specialize in this area, and are willing to work in remote and northern communities. Finally, the province's aging population will likely support job opportunities in geriatric care due to age-related cognitive declines.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover the fees for psychological services, but services may be available free of charge through government-funded programs in hospitals, schools, or correctional facilities. Otherwise, psychological services may be partly covered by private health insurance plans or by clients paying out of pocket. There have been increases in the amount of private spending coming from insurance rather than from patients' pockets, which may signal better access to psychologists.

Both psychologists and psychotherapists are regulated and licensed professionals in Ontario. Psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree in psychology, while psychological associates must have at least a master's degree in the discipline. The required level of education for psychotherapists varies by position, but all registered psychotherapists must meet entry-to-practice competencies as outlined by their regulatory body. Employment opportunities may be better for candidates with expertise in a specific therapy type or with a certain type of patient.

Here are some key facts about Psychologists in the Ontario region:

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