Couples Therapy Toronto | Find the Right Therapist for You and Your Partner

The cost of couples therapy in Toronto typically ranges from $130 to $250 per session, depending on the therapist’s credentials, experience, and session length. Some therapists offer sliding scale pricing, adjusting their fees based on your financial situation.

While couples therapy isn’t covered by OHIP, many therapists listed on First Session are registered as psychotherapists, social workers, or psychologists which means their services may be reimbursed through insurance or workplace benefits. Learn more in our guide on therapy costs in Canada.

Couples therapy may be covered through your insurance or workplace benefits plan—but coverage depends on the therapist’s professional designation, not the type of therapy.

In Canada, insurers typically reimburse sessions provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Registered Social Worker (RSW), or Psychologist (C.Psych). These are the most commonly recognized credentials. To learn more about how therapist designations affect your coverage, visit our guide on how to find a therapist covered by insurance.

You can also explore what these credentials mean in our articles on MSW RSW and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) status.

Always check with your insurnace provider to confirm what your specific plan includes.

In most cases, couples counselling, marriage counselling, and relationship therapy all refer to the same type of service: working with a therapist to improve your relationship with a partner.

Some therapists may use these terms slightly differently based on their training or client focus:

• Marriage counselling may imply work with legally married couples.
• Relationship therapy is often a broader term that can include non-romantic or non-traditional relationships.
• Couples counselling is the most commonly used term and applies to any romantic partnership—married, dating, or otherwise.

To learn more about common approaches used in this kind of therapy, check out our overview of couples and marriage therapy techniques.

Finding the right couples therapist means finding someone both you and your partner feel comfortable opening up to—someone who can facilitate a calm space, isn't biased towards either partner, and has experience with the issues you're facing.

You may want to consider factors like the therapist’s gender—for example, one partner might feel more comfortable with a male therapist. You may also want to choose a therapist with a similar cultural background. Some couples find it helpful to work with someone who understands their lived experience; for instance, South Asian therapists may bring helpful context to family dynamics in South Asian cultures.

At First Session, you can browse a curated list of couples therapists, watch videos to get a feel for their personality and approach, and compare credentials, fees, and availability. Many therapists also offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions before committing to a full session.

‍

Yes, many couples therapists in Toronto incorporate the Gottman Method—a research-based approach to relationship counselling that focuses on improving communication, managing conflict, and building emotional connection.

Therapists trained in the Gottman Method often use structured tools and exercises developed from decades of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail. This approach can be especially helpful for couples dealing with recurring arguments, emotional distance, or recovery after a breach of trust.

On First Session, you can browse therapists who use the Gottman Method.

Yes, online marriage counselling can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many couples. It offers convenience and flexibility—especially for partners with busy schedules, long commutes, or different living arrangements.

This study published in 2022 provides evidence for couples therapy via videoconferencing as a viable alternative to face-to-face interventions.

Many therapists use video sessions to guide couples through the same communication strategies, exercises, and tools they would in a traditional setting. At First Session, you can filter for therapists who offer online therapy in Ontario and find someone who fits your needs and availability.

Couples therapy can help partners navigate a wide range of challenges, from everyday stress and miscommunication to deeper conflicts and crises.

Common issues couples bring to therapy include:

• Frequent arguments or unresolved conflict
• Breakdown in communication
• Loss of trust or emotional connection
• Intimacy issues or mismatched sexual needs
• Parenting disagreements
• Life transitions, such as moving in together, getting married, having children, or retirement
• Infidelity or breaches of trust
• Cultural and interfaith differences as well as bi-racial couples (common in Toronto)

Couples therapists are trained to help couples understand each other’s perspectives, build healthier patterns, and reconnect emotionally, even during tough times.

Yes. While couples therapy often works best when both partners are involved, it can still be helpful if only one person is ready to begin.

A therapist can help you better understand your relationship dynamics, communication habits, and emotional responses. This kind of individual insight can lead to meaningful change within the relationship, even without your partner in the room. In many cases, the other partner may become open to attending once they see a shift in the way you show up to the relationship, or once they understand the process better.

If your partner is hesitant, you might find it helpful to read our article on is couples therapy right for you?, which includes a section on bringing up couples therapy with your partner.

Bringing up couples therapy can be difficult, especially if one of you is unsure or resistant. The key is to approach the conversation with empathy and curiosity, not blame.

Start by expressing what therapy means to you: a way to understand each other better, build stronger communication, or navigate a specific challenge. Avoid framing it as something they need to fix. Instead, use inclusive language and "I" statements like “I think it could help us” or “I want to work on this together.”

For more strategies, read our guide on how to encourage someone to go to therapy, which includes tips on timing, language, and dealing with hesitation.

Toronto is a big city. If you're looking for in-person couples therapy in Toronto, the location matters. You might be uptown, and travelling downtown to a therapist woudl not be ideal.

On First Session, every therapist profile for therapists offering in-person sessions includes location details, so you can quickly see whether they offer sessions in your neighbourhood or online. If you’re looking for someone nearby.

If you're not sure whether a therapist is close enough for in-person sessions, you can always book a free 15-minute consult to ask directly.