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Canadian Certified Counsellor
Pre-Licensed Professional
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered Social Worker
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

First session was created with the client in mind. We are obsessed with making the search for a therapist easier for clients, but that also means making it easier for you, too.

Since we launched in May 2019, we've connected over 1,000 clients with therapists like yourself, and are growing at a rapid rate. We work with licensed private practice psychotherapists, psychologists, as well as group practices.

Are you outside of Ontario or BC? Not to worry. First Session will be expanding across Canada in no time, and we'd love to hear from you.

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Grow your private practice, your way.

Connect with committed clients. Join our community of private practice owners. No marketing skills required.

First Session is your practice partner at any stage:

Transitioning to private practice

  • Going from a hospital or agency to private practice?
  • You’re ready to break out on your own
  • With First Session, it’s your clients on your schedule
  • Your practice on your terms
Learn more

Expanding your own group practice

  • Your independent private practice is thriving!
  • You’re ready to  become a mentor and build a team
  • We help you build a network and connect with talent
  • Get your group practice off the ground with First Session
Learn more

Starting as a new counsellor

  • Are you a new grad?
  • Need marketing help?
  • We help craft your story and showcase your expertise
  • Connect with committed clients now
Learn more

From associate to private practice owner

  • Currently on contract or as a clinic associate?
  • You love it, but want more independence
  • Connect with your own full-rate clients on First Session
  • Make the shift to a solo practice seamless
Learn more

Ready to get started?

Starting as a new counsellor

  • Are you a new grad?
  • Need marketing help?
  • We help craft your story and showcase your expertise
  • Connect with committed clients now
Learn more

Transitioning to private practice

  • Going from a hospital or agency to private practice?
  • You’re ready to break out on your own
  • With First Session, it’s your clients on your schedule
  • Your practice on your terms
Learn more

From associate to private practice owner

  • Currently on contract or as a clinic associate?
  • You love it, but want more independence
  • Connect with your own full-rate clients on First Session
  • Make the shift to a solo practice seamless
Learn more

Expanding your own group practice

  • Your independent private practice is thriving!
  • You’re ready to  become a mentor and build a team
  • We help you build a network and connect with talent
  • Get your group practice off the ground with First Session
Learn more

Pricing

No hidden costs or surprises. A plan designed around growing your business.

Initial investment

Onboarding and video production: $500 + tax
  • 2-4 minute professional introductory video for your practice
  • 1-hour interview and filming session with our founder
  • Custom editing by our professional videographers
  • Video usage rights provided for your own marketing
  • Professional online profile page built by our team on First Session

Platform fee

25% commission (10% for long-term clients)
  • Clients find and book with you via firstsession.com
  • We set your session rates together, maximizing your earnings
  • All client payments are processed through First Session
  • 25% fee off first 6 sessions with a client, 10% thereafter
  • You are paid in bulk, bi-monthly
  • Sessions happen virtually, or in-person

Why list your private practice on First Session?

Our focus on client-therapist fit and our modern video-focused directory sets us apart. We showcase who you are to help connect you with more motivated clients, and empower you to keep more control over your private practice.

Unique, authentic video.

High-quality video profiles attract committed clients to your practice.

Multi-channel marketing.

We leverage Google, social media, doctor offices, universities, corporate handbooks, and more.

Maximize earning potential.

We set your rates, together. Earn more, faster.

Practice independence.

Maintain complete control over your schedule. Only take on new clients when desired.

What practitioners are saying.

"My experience with First Session has been incredible. I wasn't sure where to get referrals and First Session made this easy for me. My client's also found it eased their anxieties because they were able to look exactly what they wanted and they had a sense of who I was even prior to our initial consultation. My practice is also thriving since I started over a year ago and I wouldn't be where I am without First Session."

Nish Lasczuk
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Toronto, ON

"Working with the First Session team gave me the support and confidence I needed to talk about the work I love doing, and connect with clients in a professional and meaningful way. First session has made a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally."

Dale Bricker
Psychologist, Toronto, ON

"First Session accelerated the growth of my private practice. I was told it would take 2 years to build a practice to full time, but First Session helped me build it in 8 months. Clients coming through First Session are motivated for growth. Often it's like we start at session 3 during an initial meeting because they have already developed a bit more of a comfort level with me from my 3-minute video."

Shannon Freud
Registered Social Worker, Toronto, ON

Frequently asked questions

General

How many new clients can I expect after partnering with First Session?

First Session provides prospective clients with the opportunity to choose the right therapist for them. Since we do not refer clients (clients choose you), results vary from practitioner to practitioner. That said, on average we aim to produce 3 to 5 new client bookings per month, per practitioner.

I don’t want to accept direct bookings, can I still partner with you?

No. To maintain an ideal client experience, it’s necessary for our partners to offer at least one direct booking option for new clients (unless your practice is full and you have a waitlist).

I use Jane or Owl to manage my practice. Can I still work with you?

We work in conjunction to any booking system that you currently use. This ensures you’re not being double booked from clients connecting with you via First Session.

If I work with First Session, do I have to use a specific platform to see virtual clients?

No, you decide how and where you will work with your clients.

What channels does First Session use to market to potential clients?

First Session is always exploring new ways to market our service and partner practitioners. We invest heavily in search engine marketing and optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, and email marketing. We directly contact universities and doctor's offices to maximize your reach. We also partner with corporations to educate their workforces, provide workshops, and spread awareness.

How many other practitioners are listed on First Session? Should I be concerned that I will become one of thousands of options for clients?

First Session continues to grow and expand our presence across Canada to meet the huge demand for mental health support. As we grow, we are consciously investing and monitoring the results of our partner therapists to maintain an ideal level of supply and demand. As we add more practitioners, we are continually developing better search tools so your ideal client can find you via First Session.

What does the First Session Community entail?

First Session is continuously investing in building an online community of private practice owners. We are supporting you, our partners in developing an internal referral network, professional connections, support groups, in person networking events, and more.

Group practice or clinic

I run a clinic or a group practice. Can I work with First Session?

Yes, First Session partners with many group practices. We can help your associates grow their client base faster, and offer discounts and pricing options as your clinic scales. One prerequisite to partnering with First Session as a clinic is your associates must be able to accept direct bookings and do their own intakes.

I am an associate at a group practice. Can I partner with First Session?

Nothing is stopping you from partnering with First Session as an associate. However, it will be beneficial to join First Session independently. We work with many practitioners who continue as an associate at a group practice while they build their private practice on the side with First Session.

Pricing & payment

I’m confused by the pricing. Can you explain?

For all clients you acquire via First Session, we act as the payment platform. Clients pay us, and we pay you. We charge 25% of the session rate for the first 6 sessions with a client, and 10% for every session after 6.

Do clients have to keep booking with me via First Session, or can I book them in directly?

If a client initially finds you via First Session, we require you to keep working with them (i.e. collecting session fees) via First Session.

Do clients pay me or First Session?

Clients pay First Session directly at the time of booking their session.

How frequently do I get paid?

First Session pays bi-monthly via direct deposit.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. There is no contract. We don’t believe in locking you in, and want to be continually proving our value to you and your practice.

Video

I’m nervous about the video. How scary is it?

It’s normal to be a little nervous to be filmed, so we have designed our whole video process to accommodate this. We budget enough time to film which ensures we have ample time to warm up, and lots of great footage to choose from when editing your final video.

What if I don’t like my video?

We do our absolute best to produce a video you’ll be happy with, and we’ll work with you to provide discretionary edits if required. The video will not be published until you provide approval.

I live in a rural or remote area. Can I still partner with you?

Yes! If we’re unable to film with you in person, we’ll ship you a studio-in-a-box, and connect with you remotely to film high quality video. We guide you through all of this.

Can I use my own video for my First Session listing?

No. Since we have our own standard process for video production, we require all partners to produce a video alongside our team.

Can I use the video beyond First Session? Who owns the video?

We encourage our partners to use the video for their own marketing. First Session retains ownership of the video, and provides usage rights to you to use the video to promote your own practice on your website, and certain social media channels. Even if you decide to terminate your partnership with First Session, you can still use your video.

Still have questions about partnering with First Session? Apply now and one of our team members will reach out to you.

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