The Program
BREM supports immigrant Mental Health professionals (e.g., counselling, social work, medicine with specialization in psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, psychotherapy, therapy focusing on mental health, divinity counselling, etc.) who wish to work and license in their field.
Program Goals
Choose from Two Program Streams:
- Preparation for Employment. The main goal of the Employment Stream is to prepare participants to find meaningful employment in the field of mental health.
- Preparation for Registration and Employment. The main goal of the Registration Stream 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.
Who Should Apply
Internationally educated professionals with post-secondary education in psychology or a related field where a significant component is mental health (e.g., counselling, social work, medicine with specialization in psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, psychotherapy, therapy focusing on mental health, divinity counselling, etc.)
Eligibility Requirements
- Post-secondary education in psychology or a related field, equivalent to 4yrs bachelor’s degree where a significant component is mental health (e.g., counselling, social work, medicine with specialization in psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, psychotherapy, therapy focusing on mental health, divinity counselling, etc.)
- Minimum of two years of relevant work experience in psychotherapy, counselling or community mental health outside of Canada
- Language proficiency of CLB 7 or equivalent in all domains (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
- Legal immigration status (Naturalized Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee, and Refugee Claimant with Work Permit, CUAET)
- Residence: Ontario
Program Components
Employment Stream
10-12 months
Full-time program, including 4-6 months of supervised placement, mentoring and job search supports.
Registration Stream
12-14 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
- mentoring and job search supports
Our other bridging programs
