How to Find a Therapist or Psychologist in Halifax | First Session

Therapy is hard work. Accessing therapy in Halifax shouldn’t be. At First Session, we believe the fit between you and your therapist is the most important factor for a positive therapy experience and improved mental health.

Here’s how to find a therapist in Halifax and make sure they’re the right fit for you and your mental health goals.

What to Consider When Looking for a Therapist in Halifax

• The cost of living in Halifax is sharply increasing — Rent went up over 25% between 2020 and 2024. Economic struggles may have an impact on residents’ mental health

• Nova Scotians rate their mental health poorly — According to one report, a greater percentage of Nova Scotians than the national average said their mental health was poor to fair 

• But mental health service access rates are high — The same report noted that a higher percentage of Nova Scotians than the national average were accessing mental health services, and that the distribution of psychiatrists was higher

• Nova Scotia is preparing to offer free psychotherapy — If successful, it will be the first province to provide residents access to publicly-funded therapy—meaning therapy in Nova Scotia, through a private practice therapist could be free

Communities in Halifax

When seeking therapy in Halifax, you may be able to narrow down your search by looking for a therapist or psychologist within your community.

The Halifax Peninsula is typically divided into the following neighbourhoods:

• Downtown Halifax 
• North End Halifax 
• South End Halifax
• West End Halifax 
• Spring Garden / Queen Street area 
• The Hydrostone 
• Fairmount 

Mainland suburban and outlying communities include:

• Armdale
• Clayton Park
• Bedford 
• Upper Sackville, Lower Sackville, and Middle Sackville
• Fall River 
• Timberlea / Lakeside 
• Beaver Bank 
• Spryfield 

Public Mental Health Services in Nova Scotia

Typically, publicly-funded mental health care in Canada serves people in an acute mental crisis or with complex diagnoses. 

You may have to wait months or even years before being seen by a publicly-funded therapist, with little to no choice in therapist or schedule and a limited number of sessions.

However, Nova Scotia is on course to provide widespread access to publicly-funded mental health services in the near future. Therapists registered with the Universal Mental Healthcare program will treat clients directly and bill the Province.

As of 2025, the Province has announced plans to register 50 therapists in the program, with 200 therapists due to be registered in the next two years.

Psychologists in Halifax

Psychologists are a popular choice for Nova Scotians seeking mental health treatment.

In Nova Scotia, psychologists are regulated by the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP).

To become a psychologist regulated by the NBSEP, a candidate must complete an advanced degree in Psychology that includes a minimum of 500 supervised practical hours. Then, they must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and complete a minimum 1500 hours of Board-supervised working hours.

Three Stages of Seeking Therapy in Nova Scotia

Everyone is at a different point in their therapy journey. We should know: We’ve helped over 10,000 Canadians connect with the right therapists. Every individual has their own needs and questions. 

But we’ve noticed that most people looking for therapists are at one of three stages in their journey:

• ‍Stage 1: You know you want to see a therapist, but you’re unsure what kind of therapy or therapist (or psychologist) you’re looking for‍

• Stage 2: You know what type of therapy or therapist you’re looking for—you just need help finding it

• Stage 3: You’ve found a potential therapist and you’re ready to take the next step

Here’s what you need to know at each stage.

Stage 1: You Want to Find a Therapist but You’re Not Sure What You’re Looking For 

Why do you want to see a therapist?

First things first: What made you interested in seeing a therapist?

More specifically, do you have a particular issue or concern? Some people seek therapy because they want to improve their emotional regulation skills, or reduce the frequency of panic attacks. Others seek help improving a particular relationship.

You don’t need to have a specific goal in mind when you seek therapy, but consider what you’re hoping to get out of it. That will make beginning your search—and, later, consulting with individual therapists—more straightforward.

Why is “right fit” so important?

Your connection with your therapist is the number one factor affecting your success in therapy.

Decades of research have shown that finding the right therapist for your needs improves the likelihood of therapeutic success. That applies across different modalities, mental health diagnoses, and therapeutic settings(1).

I’ve spent a lot of time booking sessions with new therapists, opening up and then not feeling there was a fit or feeling embarrassed about sharing and not feeling seen. Not to mention the money you spend doing that! First Session makes therapy more accessible by taking away those first barriers to entry and making it truly patient centric.

- First Session therapy client

When you and your therapist have established a meaningful human connection, you can be vulnerable, feel heard, and trust the process.

Therapist traits

Some individual traits may be important to you when you consider what makes a good therapist for you. Some may not.

Consider:

• Age: Would you prefer a Halifax therapist your own age, or someone older with more lived experience? 

• Gender: You may feel more comfortable working with a therapist of a particular gender (or agender)

• Lived experiences: Every therapist on First Session has the opportunity to include lived experience on their profiles. While all therapists receive training, you may benefit from speaking with someone who has experienced similar challenges and overcame them.

• Cultural background: Depending on your own experience, you may prefer to work with a Halifax therapist who has a cultural background similar to your own.

• Online presence: You may choose to seek a therapist with a detailed profile, updated website, and active social media. It’s against ethical guidelines for therapists to provide testimonials and reviews, but their online presence can give you a better idea of what their practice is like. 

• Language: It’s important to find a therapist who speaks your preferred language. First Session allows you to filter search results for language.

Specializations

Therapists and Psychologists in Halifax may choose to specialize in:

• specific diagnoses (e.g. borderline personality disorder, PTSD, autism, OCD)
• client concerns (low self-esteem, sleep issues, grief, work or professional challenges)
• client demographics (such as BIPOC, couples, children, caregivers)

If you don’t have a specific concern, you can work with a therapist with a broader client base. 

Often, First Session clients start therapy with a broad scope, and over time identify more specific areas they’d like to focus on.

However, some conditions require more support from the therapist to navigate or have specific treatment methods, including: trauma/PTSD, eating disorders, and gender and sexual identity. 

Modalities

A therapy modality is a specific method or approach used by therapists to help people deal with mental, emotional, or physical issues. It’s a tool tailored to help individuals heal or improve their well-being in a way that works best for them.

What are the most common modalities?

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Somatic Therapies
• Internal Family Systems (IFS Therapy)
• Eye Motion Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy)
• Psychedelic Therapy

Even as you consider different modalities, keep this in mind: Evidence shows that therapist-client fit affects therapy outcomes more than the specific modalities used(2). 

Objective criteria

Cost and payment

The cost of seeing a therapist in Canada varies widely.

But counsellors in Halifax charge an average of $170 per session, while Psychologists in Halifax charge on average of $225 per session. Most sessions last 50 or 60 minutes. 

Therapists in Halifax set their prices based on a number of factors, including their level of education, specialization(s), and overhead costs. 

What constitutes affordable therapy for you will depend on your expendable income, as well as how much you are willing to invest in therapy. 

It’s easier to find affordable therapy when you have coverage. Many workplace and student health benefits cover therapy services, but most restrict which therapist designations qualify. Check out your policy details to see which designations and credentials qualify for reimbursement. Examples include “social worker”, “MSW”, “psychologist”, etc.

For more help with determining your insurance coverage see our full guide: How to Find a Therapist Covered by Insurance in Canada

Licence or designation of therapist

Different provinces have different licenses and designations for therapists. Extended health insurance in Nova Scotia typically covers some or all of Counselling Therapists, counsellors (depending on designation), Psychologists, and Social Workers. If you have insurance, it’s important to choose a therapist with a license or designation that you receive coverage for.

A therapist in Halifax may be designated as a:

• Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT): A professional registered with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), the administrating body regulating therapists in the province. An RCT must complete an approved counselling-related graduate degree. They must also complete 2,000 supervised clinical hours.
• Registered Counselling Therapist – Candidate (RCT-C): A graduate of an NSCCT-approved program who is in the process of completing their 2,000 supervision hours to become an RCT. An RCT-C works under an experienced therapist trained in supervision.   
• Registered Social Worker (RSW): A professional who has either a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree who has completed 2,500 hours of practical social work experience and who is registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW). 
• Social Worker Candidate (CSW): A graduate of a Bachelor of BSW or MSW program who is in the process of completing their 2,500 hours of practical social work experience.
• Psychologist: A professional holding an advanced degree in Psychology who is registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP).
• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in mental health and registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. You typically need a doctor’s referral to see a Psychiatrist, and most are not offering therapy to patients.

In-person vs virtual therapy

In-person therapy is the traditional format for psychotherapy in Halifax.

Many people who see therapists find that having a separate physical space for therapy helps them to create their own separate mental and emotional space. Also, certain aspects of therapy—like the therapist’s body language—are better experienced in person rather than on screen.

That being said, you may find it difficult to fit trips to a therapist’s office into your schedule. Or you may discover that the therapist you most strongly connect with has their office far away from where you live.

Virtual therapy has gained popularity in recent years, partly due to the effects of the pandemic. It opens up more options in terms of which therapists you can see. And you may find it more comfortable to do a session of therapy in your own home than in someone else’s office.

Most First Session therapists are licensed to serve clients across Canada.

Even if you don’t need to commute to your therapy sessions, schedule time to yourself before and after the session, so you can prepare in advance and process your thoughts and feelings when the session is over.

Therapist availability

Here are some questions to consider when reviewing a potential therapist's availability:

• Are they available in the time window you’re looking for? (mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends)
• Do you want to meet at the same day and time for each session or do you need flexibility?
• Do they require you to book weeks in advance or can you take it one week at a time?
• Do they offer appointments on short notice? 

For in-person psychotherapy in Halifax, you should also take into account commuting time and how it will affect your personal schedule.

Stage 2: You Know What You’re Looking For, You Just Need  to Find It

Some people are at the stage where they already know what they’re looking for in a therapist. The trick now is to narrow down the search.

Googling “therapist Halifax,” “therapy Halifax,” “Halifax therapists,” or “therapist near me” will turn up thousands of results. And those results are ranked according to the statistics of each page—not according to whether they’re the right therapist for you.

At this point, many people turn to PsychologyToday. But PsychologyToday lists over 600 therapists in Halifax alone. Where do you even start?

Our goal at First Session is to connect Canadians with the right therapist the first time. Our directory of qualified therapists has been curated to make it easier for you to find the right fit. Explore therapist profiles and get started by booking your first session today. 

How to assess a therapist’s profile page

Here are some things to keep in mind as you browse therapists on First Session:

Images and video 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Most people aren’t comfortable contacting a potential therapist if they don’t know what they look like. Besides photos, First Session includes a video as part of each therapist profile. That gives you an even better sense of what to expect during an actual session. 

Note your gut reaction to exploring these videos—that is, your connection not only to what a potential therapist says, but how they say it. 

Keywords and phrases 

These words and phrases give a rough indication of a therapist’s approach to treatment. Some examples:

• “Spirituality”
• “Those seeking growth and transformation”
• “Self-compassion”
• “Mind-body connection”

Some keywords may inspire you and help you better articulate what you’re looking for. Others may not. Keep an open mind, but also be realistic about your own goals and attitude.

You may also find that the language a particular therapist uses speaks to your own experience. For instance, if a particular therapist’s description of how it feels to suffer from clinical depression speaks to your own experience, that could be a sign they would be a good match.

Objective criteria

This includes availability, cost, designations required for health benefits, and location.

Vetting

Depending on which directory you’re using to learn more about a particular therapist, that therapist may or may not have been vetted. 

Vetting includes making sure therapists meet certain qualifications in terms of availability, response times, transparent pricing, and policies of diversity and inclusion. Research a therapist directory’s vetting process before using it to make a decision.

(Heads up: Every First Session therapist is thoroughly vetted.)

Take advantage of free consultations

A free consultation gives you the chance to test your personal fit with a therapist over a short, no-commitment conversation. You can also ask any questions not answered by a therapist’s profile page.

Word of advice: Don’t get bogged down with consultation calls. When interviewing potential therapists, only schedule one to three at a time, and make sure they’re spread over one week or more. Any more than that tends to lead to decision paralysis.

Finally, you don’t need to book a consultation before seeing a therapist. If you’re confident, based on what you’ve learned about them, that a therapist would be a good fit for you, you’re free to go ahead and book your first official session.

Stage 3: You’ve found a potential therapist and you’re ready for the next step

If you’re reached this stage, you’ve already identified the therapist that’s right for you, and you’re ready to start your journey.

Some tips to help you take the next step:

• If you find yourself really struggling to choose between more than one therapist, then whichever one you choose is going to be a good choice—so go ahead and book that first session

• There’s no such thing as therapist soulmates. If you’re always waiting for that one perfect therapist to come along, you’ll end up waiting forever. Statistically speaking, there are many therapists that would make a great fit. 

• If you’re having trouble making a decision, consider: Are you unsure about a particular therapist, or are you unsure about your ability to make the right choice?

• If you struggle to listen to your intuition or trust your own judgment—issues therapy can address—then the decision to schedule the first session with a therapist that feels right for you counts as progress.

Even before they’re met with a therapist, people usually feel better after booking their first therapy session. Taking concrete steps to address your mental health is empowering, and starts to build inertia that will help carry you along your therapy journey.

How can I tell if therapy is working?

First things first: Therapy offers you the rare opportunity to work towards something without worry about performance or achievement.

That something could be concrete mental health goals, or the general aim of improving your wellbeing. But an achievement-oriented mindset is more likely to hinder your progress than help it. And it may even feed into issues you’re trying to address—eg. a sense of inadequacy, or obsessive compulsive behaviour.

So, you don’t need to track your progress with an Excel spreadsheet in order to tell if therapy is working. But here’s what you can do:

• Journal. Keeping a journal of the insights and challenges you meet in your sessions creates a time capsule you can review later. Reading through entries that range over months or even years can give you a sense of how your outlook has changed with the help of therapy.

• Talking to loved ones. As you continue along your journey, your partner, your family, or your closest friends are likely to notice positive changes in your behaviour. Ask them what they notice. You may find you’re surprised at how far you’ve come.

Ready for the next step? Browse our directory to find the right therapist for you.

References:

1. Horvath A. O., Luborsky L. (1993). The role of the therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 61, 561–573

2. Horvath A. O., Symonds B. D. (1991). Relation between working alliance and outcome in psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. J. Couns. Psychol. 38, 139–149

Publicly-funded and community mental health resources in Halifax:

• Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT): In-person mental health support in times of crisis. Primarily serving Halifax.
• Fireside Counselling: Low-cost ($40 / session) therapy provided by therapists completing their practicums in Masters-level Clinical Social Work and Counselling Psychology programs. Students are supported by licensed therapists.
• Healthy Minds Cooperative (HMC): Located in downtown Dartmouth, HMC is a mental health cooperative providing community and peer-led interventions.

Nova Scotia mental health resources

Major province-wide programs include:

• Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line: Access to 24/7 support by phone in the event of a mental health crisis.
• Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions: Intake, referrals, clinic locations, and a list of mental health services in Nova Scotia.
• Access Wellness Nova Scotia: Free one-on-one, single-session therapy for residents of Nova Scotia.
• CMHA Nova Scotia: The provincial branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), providing a range of resources for Nova Scotians.

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