Can I Use Client Testimonials or Reviews as a Therapist in Canada?
Why Do Clients Look for Therapist Reviews?
If you’ve ever searched for a restaurant or service, you’ve likely checked reviews before making a decision. Therapy is no different. Many people looking for a therapist want some form of social proof—a review, a recommendation, or a personal story—to feel confident before booking.
Yet, if you search for "where can I find therapist reviews in Canada?", you'll notice that regulated therapists often have few or no public testimonials. That’s because using client testimonials or reviews for marketing is prohibited for registered therapists across Canada.
This raises a common and frustrating question: "Can therapists use client testimonials in Canada?" The short answer is no—but why? And why do Google and Facebook reviews exist if therapists aren’t allowed to use them?
This article breaks down the regulations on therapist testimonials, explains why they are restricted, and offers ethical alternatives to help you market your practice effectively while staying compliant.
Why It’s Tempting to Use Testimonials and Reviews
Many therapists feel stuck when it comes to marketing their services. Unlike other professions—such as coaching or alternative wellness practitioners—therapists can’t rely on client reviews to build credibility.
Why do so many therapists want to use testimonials?
- Trust and credibility: New clients feel more comfortable when they see positive experiences from others.
- Unfair competition: Life coaches, unregulated counselors, and alternative practitioners can legally use testimonials, making therapists seem less approachable.
- Changing client behavior: More people rely on online reviews before booking any professional service.
However, despite these reasons, the rules in Canada are clear: therapists cannot use client testimonials or reviews.
What Is Considered a Client Testimonial or Review?
A client testimonial or review is any statement from a current or former client about their experience in therapy. This includes:
- Written reviews (Google, Facebook, Yelp, or personal websites)
- Video testimonials
- Quotes from emails or messages (even if anonymized)
- Statements on social media or ads
Even if a client provides explicit consent, using their words as marketing material is still prohibited under Canadian regulations.
What Are the Rules About Using Testimonials and Reviews?
Each regulatory body in Canada has strict guidelines on testimonials. Below are key quotes from major organizations governing therapists:
CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario)
- “Registrants must not use testimonials from clients or former clients in advertising or marketing materials.” (Source)
- “Even testimonials posted independently by clients on social media or Google cannot be republished by a therapist.”
- “Encouraging or soliciting testimonials is also prohibited.”
OCSWSSW (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers)
- “Testimonials may create unrealistic expectations and are therefore not permitted.” (Source)
- “They can compromise client confidentiality, even if consent is given.”
BCACC (BC Association of Clinical Counsellors)
- “Counsellors shall not use client testimonials for promotional purposes.” (Source)
- “Marketing must not include statements that could be misleading or unverifiable.”
CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association)
- “Counsellors must ensure that all advertising is accurate and does not include client endorsements.” (Source)
The key takeaway: No matter what province you practice in, testimonials are prohibited for regulated therapists.
Why Are Testimonials and Reviews Disallowed?
Regulatory bodies prohibit therapist testimonials for several reasons:
- Protecting client confidentiality – Even if a client consents, there is an inherent power imbalance. They may feel pressure to provide a positive testimonial.
- Preventing misleading claims – Therapy outcomes vary widely, and testimonials can create unrealistic expectations.
- Avoiding coercion – Clients may not feel comfortable refusing a testimonial request.
- Regulatory ethics – The profession values trust, privacy, and objective professionalism.
Unlike businesses that rely on advertising claims, therapists must ensure their marketing does not exploit client experiences.
Why Can Google and Facebook Reviews Exist, But I Can’t Use Them?
This is one of the most confusing aspects for therapists.
- Google and Facebook allow public reviews because they are third-party platforms that therapists do not control.
- Therapists cannot encourage, respond to, or promote reviews—even if they are positive.
- You are not allowed to repost or highlight Google or Facebook reviews on your website or social media.
If you receive a negative review, you cannot respond in a way that acknowledges the reviewer was a client due to confidentiality rules.
Ethical Alternatives to Client Testimonials
Since testimonials aren’t allowed, here are ethical ways to build credibility:
1. Highlight Your Credentials
- Mention your years of experience and specialized training.
- List any certifications, designations, and affiliations (e.g., BCACC, CRPO, CCPA).
2. Share Your Approach and Values
- Explain your therapeutic philosophy and why you became a therapist.
- Describe what clients can expect from sessions (without making promises).
3. Use Video Marketing
- Create videos explaining your approach to therapy.
- Offer educational content about mental health topics to build trust.
4. Be Transparent About Your Professional Growth
- Share whether you attend supervision or personal therapy (without specifics).
- Highlight continuing education courses or workshops you’ve attended.
5. Provide Free Educational Content
- Write blog posts or create resources to demonstrate expertise.
- Offer insights into common mental health concerns without giving direct advice.
6. Engage in Community Initiatives
- If you do public speaking, workshops, or media features, highlight these.
- Demonstrating professional involvement builds trust with potential clients.
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Flip Smith
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- Virtual sessions in all provinces and territories.
Flip Smith
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- She/Her
- Offers free consultation
- $150/session
- Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Confidence, Early childhood, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Body Dysmorphia, Bullying, Childhood trauma, Chronic and acute illness, Chronic Illness, Depression, Depression coping skills, Grief and Loss, Health anxiety, Identity and Self-Exploration, Imposter syndrome, Intergenerational trauma, Negative body image, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parts Work, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Trauma
Jane Whitlaw
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- Offers in-person (Surrey, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC, MB, AB, SK, YT, NL, NT, NU
Jane Whitlaw
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- She/Her
- Offers free consultation
- $170/session
- Somatic Therapy, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Attachment, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Intergenerational trauma, PTSD, Work-Life Balance, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Separation and divorce, Relationships, Nervous system regulation, Navigating challenging relationships, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Mind-body connection, Life transitions, Family Conflict, Dissociation, Depression, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Career guidance, Equine-Partnered Psychotherapy
Ashley Ploof-Montano
Canadian Certified Counsellor
- Virtual sessions in AB, BC, MB, NU, NT, SK
Ashley Ploof-Montano
Canadian Certified Counsellor
- she/her
- Offers free consultation
- $150/session
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Parkinson's disease, Grief and Loss, ADHD, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Coping Skills, Depression, Disability, Emotional regulation, Grief Processing, Highly Sensitive Person, Neurodivergent, Pet Loss, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Stress
Mandy Rai
Registered Professional Counsellor - Provisional
- Offers in-person (Richmond, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC
Mandy Rai
Registered Professional Counsellor - Provisional
- She/her
- $165/session
- Trauma processing, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Aging, Anger, Anger Management, Assertiveness, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Betrayal Trauma, Break-up recovery, BIPOC, Anxiety, Building Meaningful Connections, Bullying, Burnout, Career Stress, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Caregiver burnout
Shadan Mosavat
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Virtual sessions in BC, NU, AB, MB, NL, NT, SK, YT
Shadan Mosavat
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- She/Her
- Offers free consultation
- $180/session
- ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Emotional regulation, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Couples, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Stress, Self-Regulation, Befriending the Nervous System, General Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, OCD, Personal Growth, Coping Skills, Racism, Relationship to self and others, Eating disorders, Cultural Challenges
Richard Tatomir
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- Offers in-person (Langley, BC)
- Virtual sessions in all provinces and territories.
Richard Tatomir
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- He/Him
- Offers free consultation
- $200/session
- Neurodiversity, Supervising qualifying therapists, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Psychedelic therapy, ADHD, Life transitions, End of Life Support, Cultural Challenges, Spirituality, Family Conflict, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Relationships, Behavioural Issues, Addiction, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, BIPOC, Befriending the Nervous System, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Career Performance, Intergenerational trauma, College or University Coaching, Codependency
Areeba Farooq
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- Virtual sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, SK, NL, NU, NT, YT
Areeba Farooq
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- she/her
- Offers free consultation
- $150/session
- Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression, Mindfulness, Anger Management, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, BIPOC, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Coping Skills, Confidence, Effective communication, Personal Growth, Work-Life Balance, Wellness Counselling, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Depression coping skills, Life transitions, Mindfulness and stress reduction
Una Gair
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Virtual sessions in BC
Una Gair
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- She/her
- Offers free consultation
- $165/session
- Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Personality & Mood Disorders, Trauma, Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Attention and Impulsivity, Borderline Personality Disorder, Burnout, Career Stress, Childhood trauma, Couples Therapy, Domestic violence, Court Mandated Counselling, General Mental Health, Sexual issues, Substance Use, Workplace stress, Divorce
Marianne Campbell
Therapist in Training
- Offers in-person (Vancouver, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC
Marianne Campbell
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- Offers free consultation
- $115/session
- Neurodiversity, Relationships, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Anxiety, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Emotional regulation, Learning disabilities, Negative thinking and ruminating, Nervous system regulation, Panic attacks, Somatic Therapy, Work-Life Balance, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anger Management, Attachment trauma, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Conflict resolution, Depression, General Mental Health, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Codependency, Overthinking, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Neurodivergent
Raquel Ramos Nicolau
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
- Offers in-person (North Vancouver, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC
Raquel Ramos Nicolau
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
- Offers free consultation
- $150/session
- Somatic Therapy, Trauma, Parts Work, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Attachment wounds, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Cancer Support, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Vulnerability, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma processing, Stress, Shadow Work, Separation anxiety, Self-Regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Relationship to self and others, Codependency, Self-Image, Self Confidence
Irina Carayannis
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- Virtual sessions in ON
Irina Carayannis
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- She/Her
- Offers free consultation
- $150/session
- Life transitions, Managing ADHD symptoms, ADHD, Overwhelm, Self-Regulation, Anxiety, Perfectionism, Identity and Self-Exploration, Boundaries and boundary setting, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Overthinking, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Depression, Disability, Early childhood, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Empowerment, Financial Stress, Personal Growth, Perinatal, Neurodivergent, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Relationship Trauma
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Colin (Heron) Payne
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
- Virtual sessions in AB, BC, MB, NL, NT, SK, YT
Colin (Heron) Payne
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
- he/him/his
- Offers free consultation
- $140/session
- Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Anxiety, Mindfulness, ADHD, Anger, Attachment, Bullying, Chronic Illness, Climate Anxiety, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Health anxiety, Imposter syndrome, Meaning and purpose, Men's issues, Nervous system regulation, Parenting, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Spirituality, Trauma, Neurodivergent
Final Thoughts: Can Therapists Use Testimonials in Canada?
No, therapists in Canada cannot use client testimonials or reviews due to strict ethical and regulatory guidelines. While this may seem restrictive, it ultimately protects client confidentiality and ensures professional integrity.
Instead of testimonials, therapists can build trust through education, transparency, and ethical marketing strategies.
Looking for ways to market your practice while staying compliant? Focus on your expertise, credentials, and personal approach—that’s what truly resonates with potential clients.
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