Find the right therapist for ACT therapy in Ottawa.

To help you choose the right fit, First Session has created curated therapist profiles, showcasing each therapist’s lived experience, cultural background, focus area and specializations, education and approach. First Session has built a powerful therapist search tool, allowing you to search for everything you want in a therapist. In addition, every therapist has a short video that you can watch to get a sense for whether or not you resonate with them on a personal level.

Every person comes to therapy with a unique set of needs and experiences, and not every therapist will be the right fit. If you want a BIPOC therapist, or an LGBTQIA+ therapist, or a therapist who speaks another language, that’s your choice. We believe it’s important that you choose your therapist using your intuition, which is why we don’t use any lengthy intake process or redundant matching quizzes.

Once you are ready to start therapy, book a free consultation or a full appointment directly on your therapist’s profile.

Yes, First Session lists therapists covered by most major health insurance companies across Canada, such as Sunlife, Canada Life, and Manulife. If you have benefits coverage in Canada, your coverage will often depend on the license of the therapist or psychologist you are working with. See our full guide on how to find a therapist covered by insurance in Canada to learn more about how to determine your coverage, and find a therapist for you.

Yes, First Session therapists are located across Canada. Started in Toronto in 2019, First Session has many therapists located across Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and we also have therapists in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, the Maritime Provinces, and the Yukon.

First Session lists many therapists who offer in-person therapy. See if there is a therapist near you using this map.

It has been proven that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. Some actually prefer the convenience of virtual therapy to avoid travelling to the therapy office, and to be in the comfort of your own home for therapy appointments. Others may prefer the extra feeling of connection offered by in-person therapy sessions, which can help speed up the process of building rapport with your therapist.

Regardless of whether you choose online or in-person therapy, it’s important you choose the right therapist, and First Session was built to help you choose the right fit.

You can work with Psychologists, Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Clinical Counsellors, Registered Social Workers, Counselling Therapists, and more therapist designations on First Session.

First Session only partners with therapists licensed or registered by accredited provincial or national licensing boards or associations, such as the CRPO or the BCACC. See how we vet our counsellors and therapists for more info on how we list therapists.

First Session therapists are trained in a variety of therapy modalities, including EMDR therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Somatic therapy, Family therapy, Art therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems), Psychedelic therapy, and many more modalities.

First Session therapists specialize in a range of conditions and clientele, including couples therapy or marriage counselling, trauma and PTSD (or CPTSD) therapy, anxiety therapy, depressions, ADHD therapy, Anger Management therapy, OCD therapy, BPD therapy, Bipolar therapy, addiction therapy, and more.

Therapy sessions typically range from $80-$200 per 50 minute session in Canada. Some First Session therapists may offer sliding scale therapy if you don’t have insurance or have a limited amount.

No, you do not need to see a Doctor’s referral to see a therapist in Canada. Anyone is welcome to “self refer” and directly book an appointment with a therapist. You do not require a diagnosis to seek therapy in Canada, and your insurance company will likely cover the costs without a diagnosis.