Schedule a Free Consultation with a Toronto Therapist
Browse videos, and choose your best match based on availability, and most of all, fit.
Ready to find your next therapist? Explore the list of Toronto therapists offering free consultations below – view therapist profiles, watch video clips to get a feel for their style and approach and schedule a free consultation to get started today.
Therapists
C. Nicole MacLeod
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
C. Nicole MacLeod
Registered Psychotherapist
she/ her
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
Virtual Sessions in MB, NU, YT, NT, BC, SK, and NL.
Waitlist
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Molly McBride
Registered Clinical Counsellor
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
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Anna Loch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
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
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, NU, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Rima Sehgal
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
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)
Virtual Sessions in SK, ON, AB, BC, and MB.
Waitlist
Lotus Huyen Vu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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
Ting Jiang
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Ting Jiang
Registered Social Worker
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Brain injury, Anger Management, Attachment trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Criticism, Chronic Illness
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Brain injury, Anger Management, Attachment trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Criticism, Chronic Illness
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
she / her
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
Virtual Sessions in QC and ON.
Waitlist
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Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
she/her
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)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Sharissa Woon Sam
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
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
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kelly Budenz
Registered Social Worker
she/her
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)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
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
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
Do all therapists offer free consultations?
It is common for therapists in private practice to offer free consults with potential clients, though some therapists may not offer them when they aren’t accepting new clients or they might charge for the initial consultation.
You can schedule a free consultation with nearly all of the therapists listed in our directory. It’s very helpful to be able to meet a potential therapist, learn about their values and approach, and to get a feel for overall compatibility.
What happens during a free consultation with a potential therapist?
A free consultation is similar to an introductory meeting, and is not a full therapy session. You’ll speak with the therapist about your mental health, what brings you to therapy, and they’ll share with you how they approach therapy, what to expect in full-length sessions, and more practical matters like scheduling, payment, and confidentiality.
What should I be ready to share with the therapist during the consult?
Be prepared to briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. Sharing any relevant personal history or current challenges can help the therapist understand your needs.
How will I know if I found the right therapist for me?
The biggest piece of advice: trust your instincts. Are you looking forward to the idea of speaking with them again? How do you feel when you think about opening up to them? Was there anything in particular they said during the consultation that stood out to you?
What happens if I don’t want to continue seeing a therapist after the free consultation?
If you choose not to proceed, that's perfectly okay. Therapy is very personal, and finding the right fit is crucial. You're under no obligation to continue after a free consultation.
How do I start booking sessions after a free consultation?
The therapist will likely leave it up to you to book a full-length session after your consultation – it’s about you feeling ready to start, not about being sales-y or trying to convince you.
What are the different types of therapists in Ontario?
In Ontario, there are four regulated types of therapists:
- Psychiatrists are practicing doctors and are able to both diagnose mental illnesses and disorders and prescribe medication.
- Psychologists in Ontario have earned a PhD in psychology (“psychology associates” will have a master’s degree). Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions as well as offer psychotherapy.
- Psychotherapists in Ontario are regulated by provincial law. They can provide therapy and counselling services using a specialized approach or by combining different modalities.
- Social workers in Ontario hold either a bachelor’s degree (RSW) or master’s degree (MSW), and many social workers offer counselling services through private practice.
Is therapy covered by OHIP? Can I use my work health insurance?
There are a few scenarios where therapy is covered by provincial healthcare (OHIP), including:
- a visit to a psychiatrist via a doctor’s referral
- a family doctor who also provides psychotherapy services
- a therapist working in a hospital or another public health setting.
The Ontario government also has a resources page with affordable and accessible mental healthcare options.
Workplace insurance benefits can reduce or even fully cover out-of-pocket expenses to see a therapist in private practice. After paying for your session, you then submit your receipt as a claim to your insurance plan for reimbursement.
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Use First Session to find the best therapist for you.