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Submit a PSR Recovery in Action Paper to PSR RPS Canada for approval that reflects proficiency in recovery-oriented PSR through the application of the 2017 PSR RPS Canada Competencies of Practice for Canadian Recovery-Oriented PSR Practitioners.

We assume the perspective that Recovery-oriented PSR approaches are essential tools for recovery and that you are an expert in the area. Please demonstrate your expertise via your paper outlining a PSR Recovery scenario. Your paper is intended to show your knowledge, skills, and behaviours and your competence in applying these components to your chosen scenario.  

Building Your Reference List for your Recovery In Action Paper

What you need to know for your paper:

  • Your paper will illustrate your expertise in applying PSR and Recovery competence as you describe your chosen scenario.
  • Your paper should clearly articulate how theory and evidence relate to action or practice.
  • Your illustration can occur in a setting of your choice, such as a mental health practice setting, a policy setting, a management context, education, or a research setting.
  • Your paper (1250 -1500 words) will provide evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours (competence) related to PSR and Recovery, applying the 2017 PSR RPS Canadian Competencies,
  • Ensure you follow the grading criteria and related headings such as introduction, discussion, references, results, and conclusion.
  • A minimum of eight (8) high-quality recent (no older than six (6 years) references are required, and they must include at least four (4) evidence-based recovery-oriented Psychosocial Rehabilitation best and promising practices. These evidence-based practices should be sourced from PSR-specific journals (such as the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal & the Canadian Mental Health Journal). Examples of evidence-based practices may include peer involvement, family involvement, supported employment, supported education, leisure, and life skills training. Refer to the grading criteria for more details.
  • Ensure that the content of the discussion includes references to each of the 5 Domains of the Competencies of Practice.
  • Ensure that the content of the discussion includes references to any 10 Performance Indicators.  
  • Grey literature (meaning sources that are not peer-reviewed, such as Mental Health Commission of Canada Recovery Guidelines Documents/Information from the Canadian Mental Health website) can be added to your reference list where applicable, in addition to the minimum of 8 high-quality recent (less than 6 years) references stated above.

Please note: If a candidate fails to meet the standards for the PSR Recovery in Action Paper, they may re-submit within three (3) months, and an administration fee of $75 will apply. Candidates who fail for a second time are expected to acquire Maintenance of Certification credits to strengthen their area(s) of weakness. Such candidates must wait at least one year before re-submitting. They may choose to write on their previously chosen topic.

We believe strongly in the value of this certification and will be here to support you. 

The Scoring of the Recover in Action (RIA) Paper

This document provides you with the format used by the evaluators to mark your paper.  Be sure to check it and note where the marks are assigned and what you must do to get those grades. 

Note: Please ensure you do not miss these three very important criteria when writing the paper:

  1. Ensure that the content of the discussion includes references to each of the 5 Domains of the Competencies of Practice.
  2. Ensure that the content of the discussion includes references to any 10 Performance Indicators.  
  3. Ensure you have eight (8) high-quality recent (no older than six (6) years) references to support your paper, and that at least four (4) of them address evidence-based recovery-oriented Psychosocial Rehabilitation best and promising practices.
Download the RIA Illustration Paper and Marking format

Requesting Extensions

Any applicant requesting an extension to the due date for their Recovery In Action paper due to extenuating circumstances must provide the Registrar with a minimum of fourteen (14) days advance notice. The Certification Committee will consider each request for an extension on a case-by-case basis. The Registrar will notify the applicant as soon as possible regarding their request.

Keep Track of Your Due Date

Please note that all applicants writing the PSR Recovery In Action paper are responsible for keeping track of when their paper is due for submission. If you miss the deadline and the Certification Committee has not accepted any requests for extensions, your application will not proceed. You are welcome to reapply at a later date.

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