Best Child Therapists and Counsellors in Toronto

Browse videos, and choose your best match based on availability, and most of all, fit.

Tiles of headshot of First Session therapists

Therapists

C. Nicole MacLeod

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Unionville, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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C. Nicole MacLeod

C. Nicole MacLeod

Registered Psychotherapist
she/ her
$170/session
ADHD, Neurodiversity, Family issues, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Brain injury, Building Self-Care Routines, Children/Teens, Conflict resolution, Couples, Depression, Emotional regulation, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Grief and Loss, Learning disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Managing ADHD symptoms, Mindfulness Practices, Trauma
ADHD, Neurodiversity, Family issues, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Brain injury, Building Self-Care Routines, Children/Teens, Conflict resolution, Couples, Depression, Emotional regulation, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Grief and Loss, Learning disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Managing ADHD symptoms, Mindfulness Practices, Trauma

Molly McBride

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Chilliwack, BC)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NU, YT, NT, BC, SK, and NL.
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Molly McBride

Molly McBride

Registered Clinical Counsellor
$150/session
Nervous system regulation, Addiction, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Trauma processing, Workplace stress
Nervous system regulation, Addiction, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Trauma processing, Workplace stress

Anna Loch

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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Anna Loch

Anna Loch

Registered Clinical Counsellor
$155/session
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility

Rima Sehgal

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, NU, MB, and SK.
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Rima Sehgal

Rima Sehgal

Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
$190/session
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Men's issues, Parenting, Relationships, School challenges, Trauma, Workplace stress
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Men's issues, Parenting, Relationships, School challenges, Trauma, Workplace stress

Lotus Huyen Vu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Regina, SK)
Virtual Sessions in SK, ON, AB, BC, and MB.
Waitlist
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Lotus Huyen Vu

Lotus Huyen Vu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
$160/session
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Identity and Self-Exploration, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Grief and Loss, Mindfulness Practices
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Identity and Self-Exploration, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Grief and Loss, Mindfulness Practices

Ciara Williams

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Greater Sudbury, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Ciara Williams

Ciara Williams

Registered Social Worker
she / her
$170/session
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics (e.g. emotional, physical or spiritual abuse or neglect), People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics (e.g. emotional, physical or spiritual abuse or neglect), People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing

Michelle Belitzky

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Montreal, QC)
Virtual Sessions in QC and ON.
Waitlist
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Michelle Belitzky

Michelle Belitzky

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$170/session
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Sharissa Woon Sam

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Brampton, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sharissa Woon Sam

Kim Dawson

Registered Psychologist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Kim Dawson

Kim Dawson

Registered Psychologist
$225/session
Couples Therapy, Trauma processing, Psychedelic therapy, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Infertility, Insomnia, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Nature-Based Spirituality, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm
Couples Therapy, Trauma processing, Psychedelic therapy, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Infertility, Insomnia, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Nature-Based Spirituality, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm

Kelly Budenz

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vaughan, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kelly Budenz

Kelly Budenz

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$175/session
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting

Ghazal Ghoddousi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Richmond Hill, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi

Ghazal Ghoddousi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
$150/session
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections

Sabrina Sibbald

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Burlington, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sabrina Sibbald

Sabrina Sibbald

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$160/session
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity

Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Burk's Falls, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Shannon Bradley

Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$140/session
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Grief/Loss, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Grief/Loss, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues

Calum Ramsay

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, YT, NU, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
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Calum Ramsay

Calum Ramsay

Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him
$150/session
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Men's issues, Mental performance, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Sports Performance, Attachment, Self-Criticism
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Men's issues, Mental performance, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Sports Performance, Attachment, Self-Criticism

Ryan Yellowlees

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC and AB.
Waitlist
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Ryan Yellowlees

Ryan Yellowlees

Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him/His
$100/session
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief and Loss, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief and Loss, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability

Kaitlin Klimosko

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC, AB, SK, MB, and YT.
Waitlist
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Kaitlin Klimosko

Kaitlin Klimosko

Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
$150/session
Anger Management, ADHD, Attachment, Anxiety, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Depression, Trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Eating disorders, Stress, Burnout, Assertiveness, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Men's issues, Parenting, Self-Regulation
Anger Management, ADHD, Attachment, Anxiety, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Depression, Trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Eating disorders, Stress, Burnout, Assertiveness, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Men's issues, Parenting, Self-Regulation

Jola Mecani

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Pickering, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Jola Mecani

Jola Mecani

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$165/session
Emotional regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Childhood trauma, Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions
Emotional regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Childhood trauma, Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions

Jennifer Schofield

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (London, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Jennifer Schofield

Jennifer Schofield

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$150/session
Trauma, Anger, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Childhood trauma, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Creativity, Depression, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth
Trauma, Anger, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Childhood trauma, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Creativity, Depression, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth

Liz Spaargaren

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Okotoks, AB)
Virtual Sessions in AB.
Waitlist
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Liz Spaargaren

Liz Spaargaren

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
$125/session
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching

Virlyn Collantes

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC and ON.
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Virlyn Collantes

Alexandra Walcott

Occupational Therapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Alexandra Walcott

Alexandra Walcott

Occupational Therapist
She/Her
$170/session
Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, Children/Teens, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Learning disabilities, Parenting
Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, Children/Teens, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Learning disabilities, Parenting

Eda Mucaj

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Eda Mucaj

Eda Mucaj

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$185/session
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
A man and woman sitting at a table looking at a phone

Therapy is hard work.

Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.

Frequently asked therapy questions

Who can book appointments with therapists and counsellors?

Therapy is available to anyone. While some people enter therapy through medical or clinical routes, you do not need a “prescription” or a physician referral for therapy. You also don’t need to wait until your mental health is “bad enough”—many people talk to a therapist regularly to help them navigate everyday life.

Parents or caregivers can seek therapists who specialize in child therapy if desired. Sometimes, child therapists will work with kids one-on-one, sometimes the caregiver would be present, and sometimes a therapist may work more directly with the caregiver even if the focus is on the child’s health.

You can browse therapists on First Session in other demographic categories, too:

You can book therapy appointments on First Session with social workers, psychotherapists or psychologists in Toronto.

What are therapy insurance coverage and payment options?

“How much does therapy cost?” is one of the first questions many ask when they’re considering seeing a therapist. 

You can expect therapy to cost anywhere from $50 to $300+ per session. Costs are typically affected by the therapist’s level of education and specialization. For example, new counselling therapists may charge around $50 per session. Psychologists hold a PhD, so you expect them to charge closer to the $200 to $350 range. In some cases, psychologists will offer reduced cost counselling for as little as $150 per session.

If you’re in Toronto, the only therapy covered by provincial healthcare plans (OHIP) is a visit to a psychiatrist via a doctor’s referral, a family doctor who also provides psychotherapy services, or a therapist working in a medical or public health setting. The provincial government does, however, have a resources page available with a number of affordable and accessible mental health care options.

If you have therapy coverage by workplace insurance benefits your out-of-pocket costs can be significantly reduced. Typically, workplace benefits will allow for visits to a certain type of licensed therapist (psychologist, psychotherapist, social worker) and will cover a percentage of each session up to a maximum amount. Check your benefits booklet carefully to ensure you know the kind of therapist you’re looking for and how much you can spend. If you’re unsure about the information or how to file claims, get in touch with your provider.

There are also affordable and sliding scale therapy options offered by some (not all) therapists. Therapists might offer a certain number of sessions each month to those who are experiencing financial hardship. Always feel free to ask if there is availability.

What types of appointments can you book with therapists and counsellors?

Therapy appointments including child therapy can take place in-person or virtually. You can request an appointment by directly contacting a therapist’s office, or you can easily inquire or book therapy online with First Session

When you do in-person therapy in Toronto, you can expect to meet a therapist in a private office space, an office space shared with other practitioners, or in a home office. Online therapy in Toronto allows you to meet with therapists through your phone, computer, or tablet. Virtual appointments have been available before, but they’re more common today due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your therapist may have a specific digital platform they prefer, you may talk with them on the phone, or you could connect via platforms like Zoom. Your therapist should be using an encrypted virtual platform that meets your provincial privacy requirements.

If you’re unsure whether or not a therapist is right for you, you can look for therapists who offer free phone therapy consultations in Toronto. This is not offered by all therapists, but if a consultation is available it can help you determine if you can work with a particular therapist and if you have a good initial rapport with them. It gives them a chance to explain their methods and specialties, too. First Session also features video interviews with all of our therapists to help you make your decision.

Child therapy may involve one-on-one time with the therapist and child (often with a component of play), or it may involve time between the therapist and the parent to discuss skills and tactics for parenting them through their challenges.

Finally, there are 24/7 free therapy hotlines like Telehealth. These are helpful if you’re in immediate need. You’ll likely speak with a Registered Nurse (RN) who can offer talk therapy over the phone, or direct you to additional resources. Phone calls are always confidential. 

In Canada, there are dedicated services for kids and teens such as Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 that provide access to a professional counsellor by phone 24 hours a day.

How can therapists and counsellors treat mental health issues?

Techniques and methods for treatment are known as modalities. 

Some of the most commonly searched modalities fall into a category of ”talk therapy” like CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy). There are also more body-focused therapies like somatic therapy or EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing).

Child therapy techniques and approaches are similar to those used for adults, but with steps to ensure the child feels safe, and the therapist will keep the child’s developmental age in mind. Importantly, they’ll have an understanding of how a child expresses and develops their emotions and capacity for empathy. They’ll conduct sessions with compassion and patience, look for cues in the child’s physical or verbal communication, and take their attention span into consideration for sessions. 

Depending on the child’s age, tools such as play therapy, art therapy, and “sand tray” therapy are often used to help the child feel comfortable, and communicate in ways other than just talking.

Let’s dive into those four modalities.

CBT therapy is a popular category of talk therapy and you’ll likely see many therapists list it as a modality on First Session. CBT is about our thought, emotion and behaviour connections. During CBT, a therapist will help people through cycles of distorted thinking, and they’ll help reveal how our thoughts affect our emotional wellbeing and our behaviours. CBT typically occurs over a set number of appointments, often involving some journaling or “homework” between sessions.

There are also therapists who offer DBT therapy, a subset of CBT. The D in DBT stands for “dialectical,” which means two opposing things exist at once—I’m struggling and I’m working on getting better. DBT draws people away from all-or-nothing thinking that can prompt intense negative emotional responses. DBT is often used for people who are engaging in self destructive behaviour, and treatment often has a group therapy component. This is more likely to be applicable to older kids or teens.

Therapists who offer somatic therapy help people recognize how stress, trauma or other mental health challenges are affecting them physically, then how to learn to calm the nervous system for greater mental wellbeing. We all have a natural fight, flight, or freeze response. The problem is that sometimes, under prolonged cycles of stress, we can get stuck in these phases. That means our bodies stay in a state of stress response when there is no actual danger present, and this can eventually lead to real psychological and physical ailments. Kids who are learning about their emotions, who are managing anger, or who are pre- or non-verbal may benefit from a somatic approach to therapy.

EMDR therapy is one form of somatic therapy. EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD because it’s specifically used to help with symptoms—conscious or unconscious—associated with traumatic memories. Therapists will guide a person through recalling a memory while their eyes follow a pen or finger (or another object) in specific motions and movements. This method theoretically creates new neurological pathways in the brain to process memories in new ways. This method can be effective for children as well, including for kids recovering from a traumatic event, those who have attachment issues or other emotional imbalances (anger, sadness).

Is child therapy covered by OHIP in Toronto?

Generally, OHIP does not cover the cost of child therapy in Toronto. OHIP covers limited mental health services like psychiatric assessments, hospitalization for mental health issues, and some visits to a psychiatrist. However, most therapeutic services, including those for children, fall outside OHIP coverage​​​​​​​​. To find out more about therapy covered by Provincial Healthcare Plans, read our resource here

What type of therapy is best for children?

Common therapy modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Play therapy and more. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues in children, typically starting around age 9 or 10. Play therapy is another approach, especially beneficial for younger children, helping therapists understand their feelings and conflicts through play​​​​​​.

What is CBT for children?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children is a type of talk therapy that explores the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It's commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues in children, typically starting around age 9 or 10​​.

What are the techniques of child-centered play therapy?

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) uses play and the therapeutic relationship to improve children’s functioning. Techniques include developing a warm relationship with the child, accepting them unconditionally, recognizing and reflecting their feelings, respecting their problem-solving abilities, not directing their actions or conversation, and using a variety of toys for self-expression and role play. The therapist takes a non-directive approach, allowing the child to lead and providing responses that match the child's tone and approach​​. To learn more, you can browse our list of therapists who specialize in children and book a call or an initial consultation. 

Ready to talk?

Use First Session to find the best therapist for you.