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
Meagan Gallacher
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Meagan Gallacher
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Addiction, ADHD, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Borderline Personality Disorder, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Emotional regulation, Effective communication, Goal Setting, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Infidelity, School challenges, Mindfulness Practices, People pleasing, Phobias, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Addiction, ADHD, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Borderline Personality Disorder, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Emotional regulation, Effective communication, Goal Setting, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Infidelity, School challenges, Mindfulness Practices, People pleasing, Phobias, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Alicia Panchal
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Alicia Panchal
Registered Social Worker
Anxiety, Attachment, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Children/Teens, Depression, Eating disorders, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Self-esteem, Social anxiety, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Anxiety, Attachment, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Children/Teens, Depression, Eating disorders, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Self-esteem, Social anxiety, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Jane Aure
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in BC, AB, MB, and NB.
Waitlist
Jane Aure
Registered Social Worker
Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Addiction, Anger Management, Break-up recovery, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Burnout, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Maternal mental health, Relationships, Thought Restructuring, Grief and Loss
Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Addiction, Anger Management, Break-up recovery, Attachment, Bipolar Disorder, Burnout, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Maternal mental health, Relationships, Thought Restructuring, Grief and Loss
Amy O'Coin
Registered Professional Counsellor - Candidate
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
.webp)
Amy O'Coin
Registered Professional Counsellor - Candidate
She/They
Couples Therapy, Emotional regulation, Attachment, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Relationship anxiety, Perfectionism, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Self-Regulation, Overwhelm, Couples, Identity and Self-Exploration
Couples Therapy, Emotional regulation, Attachment, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Relationship anxiety, Perfectionism, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Self-Regulation, Overwhelm, Couples, Identity and Self-Exploration
Lisa Schwartz
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in NS and ON.
Waitlist
Lisa Schwartz
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Familial and social relationships, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Dating challenges, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Navigating challenging relationships, Parental divorce, Parenting, Meaning and purpose, Life transitions, Low mood, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, School challenges, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Familial and social relationships, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Dating challenges, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Navigating challenging relationships, Parental divorce, Parenting, Meaning and purpose, Life transitions, Low mood, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, School challenges, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Michael Kang
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, NT, YT, NU, AB, BC, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
Michael Kang
Registered Psychotherapist
ADHD, Anger Management, Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Career guidance, Caregiver burnout, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Low mood, School challenges, Self harm, College or University Coaching, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Racism, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), BIPOC, Grief and Loss
ADHD, Anger Management, Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Career guidance, Caregiver burnout, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Low mood, School challenges, Self harm, College or University Coaching, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Racism, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), BIPOC, Grief and Loss
Alaleh Shakourianfard
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Alaleh Shakourianfard
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low mood, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Intergenerational trauma, School challenges, Thought Restructuring, Supervising qualifying therapists, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low mood, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Intergenerational trauma, School challenges, Thought Restructuring, Supervising qualifying therapists, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Jacob Emanuel
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Jacob Emanuel
Registered Psychotherapist
Anger, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Effective communication, Men's issues, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Relationships, Masculinity, Stress, Emotional Numbness
Anger, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Effective communication, Men's issues, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Relationships, Masculinity, Stress, Emotional Numbness
Tanya Beattie
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Tanya Beattie
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Trauma processing
Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Trauma processing
Emily Duggan
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Emily Duggan
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
Glory Mulera
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Glory Mulera
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her/Hers
Self-Development, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Relationships, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, PTSD, Grief and Loss
Self-Development, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Relationships, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, PTSD, Grief and Loss
Michael Appiah
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Michael Appiah
Registered Social Worker
Relationships, Men's issues, Effective communication, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Workplace stress, Assertiveness, Attachment, Career guidance, Christian counselling, College or University Coaching, Dating challenges, BIPOC, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Conflict resolution, Couples, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-Development, School challenges, Imposter syndrome, Anger Management
Relationships, Men's issues, Effective communication, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Workplace stress, Assertiveness, Attachment, Career guidance, Christian counselling, College or University Coaching, Dating challenges, BIPOC, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Conflict resolution, Couples, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-Development, School challenges, Imposter syndrome, Anger Management
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.
Ready to talk?
Use First Session to find the best therapist for you.