FROM RECE TO RP: THE INTERSECTION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN TWO DIFFERENT CAREERS

Meet one of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario’s newest registrants

The Registrar

Alycia Hunte's journey from early childhood educator to registered psychotherapist has been an evolving journey of a passion for understanding human behaviour.

Her career began unexpectedly when she took a temporary role in childcare while her then-husband transitioned to a new career. What started as a short-term gig became a quarter-century-long professional metamorphosis.

A resident of the Ottawa region, Hunte was born in Montreal and spent her adolescent years in Toronto. Now, a mother of two, she worked worked at several childcare centres over the years, gaining experience with various age groups and refining her ability to sup- port children’s emotional and developmental growth, in addition to teaching. Eventually, she transitioned to home childcare, taking on a supervisory role where she focused on policy compliance and provided guidance to other childcare providers.

Despite the rewards of her role, Hunte found that the growing administrative responsibilities began to overshadow the aspects of the job she enjoyed most: interacting with children and families. Her passion for psychology and desire to work more closely with individuals on an emotional level led her to pursue a career in psychotherapy.

"The part I enjoyed most in my previous roles was interacting with people, learning about their lives, and helping them navigate their challenges,” Hunte reflects. Moving into therapy felt like a continuation of that journey.” part I enjoyed most in my previous roles was interacting with people, learning about their lives, and helping them navigate their challenges,” Hunte reflects. Moving into therapy felt like a continuation of that journey."

Confronting challenges of stigma and demographic nuances

Registered with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) since March 2022, Hunte completed her Counselling Psychology Masters from Yorkville University in November 2022, holding the title of (RP Qualifying). In April 2024, she became a fully licenced Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the CRPO. In practice in downtown Ottawa, Hunte sees a range of clients, including children, adolescents, and adults. She explains that working with children, particularly those aged seven to ten, presents unique challenges as they navigate important developmental transitions. While she also works with adolescents, she notes that their engagement with therapy tends to be less consistent.

Hunte’s practice also includes a significant number of women in their thirties, a stage that she describes has a tremendous impact. "This phase seems to be a turning point for many women,” she says. “It’s a pivotal time in their lives as they start coming to terms with what they want to do next. They’ve gone through their youth and now want to shift towards healthier choices."

She observes that it’s an interesting dynamic with men who are less frequent clients in her practice. "When men do seek therapy with me, it's often because they have a strong relationship with their mother, which makes them more comfortable talking to a woman, or they feel uneasy discussing their issues with a fellow man. There's often a hesitation to open up in therapy. Even male colleagues in the field say they don’t see many male clients. It seems to be rooted in the belief that men should be able to figure things out on their own, without needing help.”

Although the stigma surrounding therapy has lessened over the past decade, Hunte notes there's still a pervasive idea that seeking therapy means admitting an individual can't handle things by themselves. This mentality she admits, although prevalent among men, is also present in women. “Many people delay seeking therapy because they believe they should be able to solve their problems alone. For many men, expressing emotions, especially to someone outside their family, can be challenging. The notion of showing vulnerability in front of someone who isn't close can be particularly difficult for them."

As she transitioned into psychotherapy, Hunte embraced a client-centred ap -

I ask them what they’re looking for,” she says. “We work together to find an approach that resonates with them, because therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.”

Title protection

As a CRPO registrant, Hunte explains that professionals in her field in Canada practice under protected titles. This ensures that professionals are trained to a high degree of competence, allowing clients to feel safe when their needs are addressed.

“You can’t just get someone to open up their trauma and then leave them [after a couple of sessions],” Hunte says. “There are certain procedures present to keep people safe, especially when you’re dealing with highly traumatized people who are, for example, homebound. Is the professional on the other end exposing their client to certain safety protocols and standards, as well as ensuring they are being kept safe? Sometimes, that doesn’t always happen which could unintentionally result in harm.”

As with most professions, registered psychotherapists in the province of Ontario are required to take a set number of professional development training hours annually. Hunte looks forward ensuring she remains informed about the latest treatment methods and research. "Supervision is key,” she says about learning to manage complex cases and maintaining high standards in her practice. “We have guidelines to ensure continuous education and supervision, particularly for challenging cases. Therapists are naturally curious. We're constantly reading articles, exploring new modalities, and discussing approaches with peers.”

Hunte’s career shift from early childhood educator to psychotherapist is testament to her commitment to understanding and supporting others. Her experiences have shaped her client-centred approach, allowing her to provide meaningful guidance and support to individuals across various life stages.

“I love where my life has taken me,” says Hunte. “We all have a past we would like to change, but this journey has been right, and I’m thrilled.”