Bridge to Registration & Employment in Mental Health

For immigrant professionals with experience in psychotherapy who wish to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

We are currently processing applications submitted by March 31st.

If you submitted an application by March 31, 2025 and have uploaded documents, you will be receiving emails from us about whether your documents are received and accepted. (Please check your spam/junk folders). Applicants with complete applications (all required documents uploaded and accepted) will receive an email invitation to proceed to the Professional Communications Assessment stage.

Last updated: July 8, 2025

Applications submitted AFTER March 31, 2025 are currently on hold.

We hope to begin processing applications submitted in April 2025 in the coming 1-2 weeks. Due to high volumes of applications we are not able to respond individually to questions about application status. We have hired more staff to support us; please be patient while we train them.

* Links to the Application form are provided to people who attend an updated info session (from Feb 2025 onwards).

If you submitted an application by March 31, 2025 and have uploaded documents, you will be receiving emails from us about whether your documents are received and accepted. (Please check your spam/junk folders). Applicants with complete applications (all required documents uploaded and accepted) will receive an email invitation to proceed to the Professional Communications Assessment stage.

Last updated: July 8, 2025

We hope to begin processing applications submitted in April 2025 in the coming 1-2 weeks. Due to high volumes of applications we are not able to respond individually to questions about application status. We have hired more staff to support us; please be patient while we train them.

* Links to the Application form are provided to people who attend an updated info session (from Feb 2025 onwards).

The Program

The Bridge to Registration & Employment in Mental Health (BREM) program supports immigrants with background in psychotherapy who wish to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Program Goals

 

The main goal is to help participants meet the requirements for registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, CRPO as RPs (Qualifying) as well as preparing them for employment in the field.

Program Location

Available anywhere in Ontario

Full time

12 Months

Part time option available

Next Cohort Start Date

September 2025

“I remain indebted to BREM for the personalized guidance and support throughout the whole process!” ~ Mona

I’M READY TO HELP OTHERS

Who Should Apply

Internationally educated professionals with post-secondary education in psychology or a related field where a significant component is psychotherapy, as well as two years working in psychotherapy.

A person receiving the assistance of a BREM graduate

Eligibility Requirements

  • Education: Post-secondary education in psychology or a related field with specialization in psychotherapy.
  • Experience: Minimum of two years’ experience in psychotherapy outside of Canada.
  • Language proficiency: CLB 7+ or equivalent in the following exams IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL
  • Legal immigration status: Naturalized Canadian citizens, Permanent residents, Convention refugees with an Open Work Permit, Refugee claimants with an Open Work Permit, Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) with an Open Work Permit, Provincial nominee under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (excluding those under the International Student stream), Temporary work permit who has received confirmation from IRCC that they meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residence (i.e. approval in principle)

  • Residence: Ontario
If you have more questions, please check our FAQs.
A group of people who get the services of a BREM graduate
Program Components

 

12 months

Full time program, including

  • enhanced academic curriculum (over 1,100 hours, including a course series in psychotherapy)
  • 6 months of supervised placement
  • SEUS seminar (Safe and Effective Use of Self)
  • small group clinical supervision
  • employment counselling and job search support

BREM FAQs

General

At this point we are the only bridging program recognized by CRPO and we are not aware of any others.

Once you complete the BREM program. We will give you a transcript to apply.

It is not required for the BREM program, but it would be good to have.

You will receive login credentials to access the Moodle platform, where the instructional BREM materials will be available. Additionally, you will be required to purchase two textbooks as part of the program.

CRPO will give you the license to work in Ontario as a Psychotherapist. Each province has their own regulations. Some will allow you to transfer your license, but you will need to check with the specific province.

No, because the bridging program is composed of several important components. Each component has a purpose and it is designed to give you the essential skills which will equip you to be aware of the labour market and demands here in Ontario.

  1. Visit this link: https://a108157.socialsolutionsconnect.ca/login
  2. Enter your email address and click “Forgot Password.”
  3. You will receive a link with instructions to recover your password.

Residency

Yes. This program is offered online, and you can join from any city in Ontario.

A requirement to participate in a bridge program is to be an Ontario resident. You are welcome to participate once you move back to Ontario. Feel free to start your application in advance.

If you are an Ontario resident and you are temporarily on a trip outside Canada, but still residing in Ontario, yes. If you are living outside Ontario, you will not be able to take the program. 

Yes, but be mindful to move forward in the application process you will need to upload an Ontario Photo ID (Driver’s Licence, OHIP Card, Ontario Photo Card) to prove you are an Ontario resident.

Immigration Status

Yes, naturalized citizens are eligible but not the ones who are Canadian citizens by birth. Naturalized Citizens are the ones who were born outside Canada and obtain their Canadian citizenship in Canada. 

No. Holders of a visitor visa do not qualify. Once you get the document indicating that your PR has been approved, you are welcome to apply.

No. This program is not for temporary residents. To qualify, you need to be a Naturalized Canadian citizen, Permanent resident, Convention refugee with an Open Work Permit, Refugee claimant with an Open Work Permit, Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) with an Open Work Permit, Provincial nominee under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (excluding those under the International Student stream), Temporary work permit who has received confirmation from IRCC that they meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residence (i.e. approval in principle).

 

Tuition Loans

Loans are provided by organizations outside MNLC and each have their own rules. Please get in touch with the organization/program that provided you with the loan to inquire about their payment process. 

You can contact Achev Microlending or  Windmill Microlending to inquire about their loans.

If you are in Ontario Works, please discuss with your case worker if they can cover the tuition fee.

As MNLC is not a designated educational institution, we are not authorized to issue T2202A tax forms.

Documents

OBTP stands for Ontario Bridge Training Program, and it is funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The OBTP registration form is a form that the applicant needs to fill in to register for the bridge program. Our staff will share with you the form once your participation has been confirmed.

The SIN number is required to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. OBTP (Ontario Bridge Training Program) is funded by the Government of Ontario and in order to register the applicant in the government system, a valid SIN number is required.

No, because the bridging program is composed of several important components. Each component has a purpose and it is designed to give you the essential skills which will  equip you to be aware of the labour market and demands here in Ontario.

Please contact Service Canada to renew it.

Please contact Immigration Canada to renew it.

Education

You need proven post-secondary education in psychology or a related field with specialization in psychotherapy.

Clinical Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, GP Psychotherapist (MD), Psychiatrist (all require proven psychotherapy training and work experience).

Yes, internationally educated professionals with post-secondary education in psychology or a related field where a significant component is psychotherapy are eligible to apply.

Work Experience

Minimum of two years’ proven work experience in psychotherapy outside of Canada after graduating from your degree. 

Yes. The eligibility requirement is to have at least two years experience outside Canada.

Yes. For the BREM program it is required to have minimum of two years’ experience in psychotherapy outside of Canada.

Credential Assessment

You can reach out to any of the following authorized centres:

Language Assessment

CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks, and it is a descriptive scale of language ability in English. It provides a common Canadian framework for describing and measuring English communication for instructional and other purposes, ensuring a common basis for the development of programs, curricula, resources, and assessments tools that can be shared across Canada.

Language assessment is free for qualified applicants. You can find an authorized language assessment centre here

No, you do not. The minimum requirement to participate in any of our bridge programs is CLB 7. The validity of a CLB is two years.

No, you must have a minimum of CLB 7 in all 4 domains (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).

Yes. If you were born outside Canada and want to participate in a bridge program, you would need to take the CLB assessment, as it is a requirement of the funder, the Government of  Ontario.

APPLY

Complete this form
to start your process

Upcoming Info Sessions

Ontario Bridge Training Program

This Employment Ontario program is funded
by the Government of Ontario

Our other bridging programs

BREM Eligibility Test

card of Bridge to Registration & Employment in Mental Health (BREM)
BREM eligibility

1. Immigration Status


Your immigration status meets the program requirement. Please check the next question.


You are not eligible for the bridging program. Please contact us when you receive your Work Permit.


You are not eligible for the bridging program.


2. Residency


Your residency meets the program requirement. Please check the next question.


You are not eligible for the bridging program. Only those living in Ontario will be eligible.


You are not eligible for the bridging program. Please contact us once you move to Ontario. You are welcome to attend an info session and get some of your documents ready.


3. English Language Proficiency


Your language scores meet the program requirement. Please note that test results must be valid when program interviews start (2 months before the cohort starts). Check the next question.


If you don’t have a valid Language Assessment, you may contact organizations providing the free test.

Please find your nearest centre here


If your scores are below CLB 7, you can join LINC, ESL, ELT or OSLT English program classes to upgrade and reassess your CLB before the two-year reassessment period. If your CLB is 6+, you can ask the assessment organization for the ELTPA English assessment. This can be done earlier than the two-year reassessment wait time

Please find your nearest centre here


4. Education


Your education meets the program requirement. Please check the next question.


You are not eligible for BREM. You need to have post-secondary education outside Canada to be eligible.

Check other programs and services offered by MNLCT to find more options for you.


You are not eligible for BREM. You need to have relevant post-secondary education from outside Canada to be eligible.

Check other programs and services offered by MNLCT to find more options for you.


5. Work Experience


Your work experience meets the program requirement.


You are not eligible for BREM. You need to have minimum of 2 years work experience outside of Canada to be eligible.

Check other programs and services offered by MNLCT to find more options for you.


You are not eligible for BREM. You need to have minimum of 2 years work experience outside of Canada in psychotherapy or a related field.

Check other programs and services offered by MNLCT to find more options for you.


Please contact us at bridging@mnlct.org for further assistance and potential options.  
Note that this Eligibility test is an informative tool that helps you understand the general program requirements. The final decision about your eligibility for the program will be made by the Admissions team after reviewing all your documentation.