How To Find A Therapist In Canada For Mental Health Support

In recent years, more and more Canadians have been reaching out for professional mental health support. A therapist can help a person with a variety of challenges, from symptoms of depression or anxiety to relationship conflict or low self-esteem. That said, the process of finding a therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming, even though there is access to mental health support and psychology services across all Canadian provinces. You can work with a registered psychotherapist, psychologists, or a counsellor. Here, we'll aim to give you all the information you may need regarding the basics of how to find a therapist in Canada. 

The landscape of mental health care in Canada today

Research suggests that over five million Canadians met the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety, mood, or substance use disorder in 2022. This means that having widely available options for mental health care may be more important than ever. 

However, mental health care is not yet widely available enough to meet demand. As of 2024, “one in three Canadian households have experienced difficulties meeting their financial needs for necessary expenses such as transportation, housing, food and clothing.” Given that the cost of an average in-person therapy session in Canada is around $200, it’s likely that many Canadians who need care are not able to receive it. For more affordable, readily available support, some people are turning to alternative methods, such as going through a local charity, requesting sliding-scale fees, or exploring online therapy.

Therapy options in Canadac

When you seek therapy in Canada, you can find a therapist who specializes according to your unique needs or issues, and you can choose from a number of therapy modalities. These may include EMDR for trauma, addiction therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and many more. You can find therapists who run their own practice, or you may work with someone who is part of a therapy group or public institution. You might work with a independent counsellor, who may have fewer education requirements. Or you can choose from clinical psychologists or registered psychotherapists, both of whom need master’s degrees in their fields. In any case, there are numerous mental health professionals available to support you.    

Why is mental health care so important?

Mental health and well-being can affect most aspects of everyday life, including interpersonal relationships, work productivity, daily functioning, quality of life, and physical health. Among other complications, untreated mental illness can lead to worsening and severe symptoms, relationship difficulties, and a weakened immune system. Receiving evidence-based mental health care can help a person address their symptoms and learn positive coping mechanisms for life's challenges.

The relationship between mental health and overall health

Mental health is a key component of overall health and is closely linked to physical well-being as well. There may even be a relationship between mental health conditions, such as depression, and chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease. When mental health concerns go unresolved, it can have a lasting impact on overall health, and vice versa. 

The role of mental health care in overall well-being

There are many steps individuals can take to promote their own mental well-being, such as practicing self-care. However, many determinants of health are out of a person’s control, and many mental illnesses require professional care beyond what a person can do for themselves. 

Healthcare providers in Canada can offer ongoing treatment and support for those with various mental health needs. From prevention, identification, and early intervention for mental health disorders to addressing and treating symptoms, qualified providers are available to help.

While stark and significant disparities in the ability to receive quality healthcare persist—especially for members of marginalized groups—individuals may be able to find some resources that make support more readily available. For example, there may be partial coverage for certain types of therapy sessions with a credentialed psychotherapist, psychologist, or counsellor.  

Common types of therapy available in Canada

Both in-person and online, there are various forms of therapy offered in Canada today. Each method may be suitable for different individuals and different conditions. Some common types of therapy practiced in Canada today include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Various types of trauma-informed therapy
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Motivational interviewing
• Cognitive processing therapy
• Internal family systems therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy

These are just a few of hundreds of approaches. Typically, a therapist will suggest a method that they believe may be right for you.

Reasons a person might seek mental health care through therapy

While experiencing signs of mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety is a common reason to seek therapy services, it's not the only one. A therapist can also help a person navigate a variety of life's challenges, even if there's no applicable clinical diagnosis. 

For example, a therapist could support a person who is experiencing grief, low self-esteem, high stress levels, the effects of past trauma, or relationship conflict. If it's affecting your emotional well-being, a therapist will typically be able to support you through it. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

When is it time to reach out for help?

Again, virtually anyone has the capacity to benefit from talk therapy at any stage of life. However, if you notice that you may be showing signs of a mental health condition, are having trouble controlling your emotions, or frequently feel overwhelmed or hopeless, it might be time to seek care as soon as you can.

Starting the search for a therapist

Therapy is intended to be a safe, non-judgmental, and comfortable space to explore inner thoughts and feelings, express emotions and concerns, identify distorted thought or behavior patterns, and learn self-care and healing techniques. Therapists are trained to offer unbiased support from a place of unconditional positive regard. Finding a therapist who is qualified, warm, and welcoming and who you feel comfortable around can be key to receiving quality care.

Key qualities to look for in a therapist

There are many qualities that can make a mental health practitioner a valuable resource for emotional support. When choosing a mental health professional, below are a few qualities to consider looking for: 

• Empathy. It can be crucial for a therapist to have the ability to actively listen to and understand the feelings of their clients so that each one can feel heard and understood.
• Reliability. Consistent and continuous therapy sessions can help form a positive therapeutic relationship, so having a reliable therapist can improve outcomes.
• Self-awareness. They understand how their own biases can influence perceptions and are culturally aware so they can work meaningfully with diverse clients.
• Adaptability. They can adapt, change, and tailor their approach to suit the needs of the client.

Questions to ask yourself as you figure out how to find a therapist in Canada

It might take a few sessions before you can decide whether you’ve found the right therapist, and it's also not uncommon to switch therapists a few times until you locate a good match.

How to choose the right therapist for you 

When it comes time to choose a therapist, it’s important to make sure that they are the right fit. Be sure to both do research on the therapist and read at least one review before you make the choice to book a first session. If the therapist or platform allows it, you may want to book a free consultation to meet the therapist before agreeing to start therapy. Be sure to consider the following questions:

• What kind of training does the therapist have?
• What educational degree(s) do they hold?
• What languages do they speak?
• What are their areas of specialization?
• What therapeutic modalities do they work in?
• What is their personality like, and do you have a connection?   

The role of loved ones and social support 

If you are uncertain about therapy or are feeling some concern about therapy, consider involving loved ones and/or friends in your healing process. While support from friends and family is not a substitute for therapeutic support, having people around you who care and who will support you can be an important part of your healing journey. 

How to find a therapist in Canada

In Canada, there are many therapists available, including those working in clinical settings, independent practices, hospitals, or online. To find in-person therapists, individuals might ask their primary care doctor for a referral or use an online directory, such as the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT) or Therapy In Colour. If you’re having trouble finding a provider or would simply prefer the convenience of remote care, you might explore the option of online therapy instead.

Booking and consultation process 

When you are ready to seek therapy, you can contact therapists directly via phone or email and request a free consultation, or you can join a therapy platform to be matched with a therapist. If you decide to seek therapy through an online platform, you first need to see which platforms operate in Canada. Once you’ve done that, your next step will be submitting the forms necessary for joining. Some therapy platforms will match you with a therapist based on the information you provided, while others allow you to browse therapists and reach out to a therapist of your choice for an appointment. Some platforms offer financial aid or take insurance coverage, so be sure to research your chosen platform to see what the qualifying criteria are. In any case, you can easily access therapy in Canada.

Preparing for your first session 

You might be ready to start therapy but feel apprehension or some concern about attending your first therapy session, so it’s good to know what to expect. Your first session is about getting established with your therapist. You will go through client and therapist introductions, and your therapist will likely ask you about your history, symptoms, and goals for therapy. They may assess your ready mindset, which is your willingness to engage in the therapeutic process, and depending on your situation, they may do an initial diagnosis or ask you to collaboratively decide on some therapy goals. Your therapist will also begin to establish a therapeutic relationship with you, creating a safe and empathetic connection.      

Online therapy options in Canada

Canadian cities such as Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Ottawa tend to have a large network of in-person, skilled therapists available, giving residents there more options. However, in rural or remote areas, there may be a limited number of therapy providers and services available. This is just one reason an individual might consider seeking therapy online instead. Others include a physical illness or disability that makes commuting to appointments difficult, or simply having a preference for speaking with a provider from the comfort of home instead of in person. 

Online therapy can be a convenient option for individuals in Canada seeking mental health care. Online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp offer a network of thousands of qualified therapists, and it will match you with a provider per the needs and preferences you outline in a brief onboarding questionnaire. Once matched, you can meet with your provider ermotely—via phone, video, or live chat—at times that work for you. 

Whether you’re seeking cognitive behavioral therapy for depression or trauma-focused therapy for PTSD, compassionate care is available online. Receiving therapy virtually can be more cost-effective than attending in-person sessions without insurance.

Considering location and accessibility 

Whether you live in a city such as Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, or Montreal or live in a more remote rural area, note that therapy options range widely according to location among all provinces. Some places, particularly cities, have numerous in-person services available. Other locations, such as rural areas (as mentioned above), may not have many in-person therapy opportunities. Online therapy services, however, are accessible from any location in Canada, as long as you have a stable internet connection. Before scheduling, make sure that you can easily travel to any in-person appointments or that you have a good internet connection and a personal place in your home for online appointments.    

Research on the effectiveness of online therapy

A growing body of research suggests that, in many cases, online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. Patients who have participated in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) report high satisfaction, ease of use, and worthwhile outcomes. Per this and other studies on the topic, online methods can be a convenient and effective alternative to face-to-face therapy sessions in many cases.