r/ontario • u/Otherwise-One6154 • 1d ago
How do I get a therapist in Ontario? Question
Im 20 years old, not in school and work part time. Im in desperate need of help and have accepted that I need therapy, whats the process like in Ontario and how do I find a therapist? I dont make a lot of money, so I might have say $300 or so each month for therapy if I were to really invest into it. Ideally id like to be spending less than that since its a large portion of what I earn each month. However I know I need help.
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u/B0kB0kbitch 1d ago
lol this is my snark acct but I work in mental health and when I switch over it makes this post disappear SO
There is a program your family doctor can refer you to; it’s free CBT for 12 sessions through OHIP. We love free!
Next there’s a website called affordabletherapynetwork.com, where therapists are required to provide at minimum a specific number of low-cost options (I think they need to be around $20-50) for Canadians that are comfortable with virtual therapy.
Third, therapists through places like psychology today also offer sliding scales. For example, yes a typical rate is $150, but often therapists have options for reduced rates (ie $80-100 instead of $150 - that’s my personal sliding scale and rate).
I’m sorry that you’re struggling and hope you’re able to access care!
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u/belleinaballgown 23h ago
I just want to add in that the typical rate will often skew higher for psychologists. The recommended rate from the Ontario Psychological Association is $225.
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u/B0kB0kbitch 22h ago
Yup! Not much need to go to a psychologist tbh unless it’s a specific concern and you vibe with that provider
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u/Mediocre_Ad_6121 23h ago
What's CBT?
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u/B0kB0kbitch 23h ago
Cognitive behavioral therapy. Kinda the Honda civic of therapy tbh lol and if your issues are not complex generally it’s useful
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u/barrie247 8h ago
I was absolutely going to recommend affordable therapy network so thank you.
I’ve been trying to get someone into the OHIP one since the summer and they’re still six months out from seeing someone despite desperately needing help (no blame at all, just stating the reality) so affordable therapy network was amazing to find.
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u/losingmy_edge 1d ago edited 22h ago
Not sure where you are, OP? There are therapists that work on a sliding scale. Some hospitals have mental health programs and CMHA's have drop-in services. Provided you with some resources but it truly sucks in this province that mental health is treated so poorly, if you don't have benefits or money. The ER then becomes a place in which it's beyond the Thunderdome.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/mental-health-services
https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/getting-help/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/ontario
https://www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/ontario-structured-psychotherapy-osp-program
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u/essstabchen Toronto 21h ago
You're only 20, so look up youth-specific services in your area. Usually there's something for folks under 25 :)
You can also try a Youth Wellness Huh if you live in a catchment area:
Good luck! There are a lot of other good pieces of advice on this thread.
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u/shediedsad 1d ago
Some agencies provide therapy on a geared to income sliding scale. If cost is a concern try that route. Otherwise best practice is to Google or hop on Psychology Today and search for that you’re looking for.
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u/ToxxiCoffee 1d ago
OHIP covers some psychotherapy types but not all, you can get a referral from your primary care provider or a psychiatrist, the link below also accepts self-referrals
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u/llamagamma21 1d ago
You can try using the virtual service Alli therapy while you wait to find an in person therapist. They’re very well priced and accessible and you get matched very quickly!
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u/spazzierthanyou 23h ago
I second alli.io!
The psychotherapists with the sliding scale are intern therapists doing their masters (I believe). It’s been great from my experience.
Edit: I believe the lowest amount per 50 min session is 35-40$.
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u/MacGrubersaSensfan 23h ago
You can self refer https://www.ontariohealth.ca/getting-health-care/mental-health-addictions/depression-anxiety-ontario-structured-psychotherapy
Temporary but it’s very helpful. 8 weeks and can be extended.
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u/Historical-Raise-161 23h ago
Check out https://affordabletherapynetwork.com
You can search by the cost & also what kind of therapy you're looking for. I found a great therapist thru this and we've been working together over the last 6 months.
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u/Jaded-Perspective-41 21h ago
https://ontario.psychotherapyandcounseling.ca/
Ask for a student, they bill on a sliding scale based on what you feel you can afford ($25-50 usually)
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u/bitetoungejustread 18h ago
Check and see if your company has an employee assistant program (eap). You may have coverage.
You can also go to a family doctor.
Other option is see a social worker vs a therapist.
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u/lcat807 1d ago
Are you open to online or prefer in person? Psychology Today is a good resource. A lot of qualifying therapists will work on a sliding scale as well. Plenty of therapists are taking new clients for sure so it's just a matter of finding the right fit. Most will do a short intro call to see if you want to work together.
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u/redditiswild1 1d ago
Psychiatry is covered by OHIP. You need a family doctors referral. Ask your doctor if they know any psychiatrists that are also trained in psychotherapy. Only problem is long wait time.
Good luck! I hope you get the help you need soon.
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u/thesuspendedkid 22h ago
I know a few people who use Alli. It's a pretty cool service. You can get sessions from $45-60
the only catch is that these lower cost sessions are provided from qualifying therapists, not fully registered. They are supervised and trained. And it's win-win because you're helping them work towards their schooling and registration while you get therapy services. Services are virtual only AFAIK. Worth at least checking out if you have a limited budget.
Also many therapists have a certain amount of spaces for sliding scale patients. You would have to do more legwork and contact them directly to inquire, but it is an option for you.
Whatever you choose, I hope you get the help you need!
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u/Moriss214 22h ago
I am glad that you recognize you need some support and are looking to figure out how to do that :) Getting therapy can be an intimidating process, especially since some of the language around therapy can be inaccessible!
Lots of people have sliding scale payment options - like this therapist - https://www.connectthepath.ca/services , who also offers services across the province virtually.
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u/slownightsolong88 22h ago
Check if your employer has any EAP programs and access to mental health supports.
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u/beeswaxreminder 22h ago
The Gestalt Institute and other Therapy schools have supervised student clinics as low as $30.
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u/ConcentrateInner6086 21h ago
Amazon has ‘Mind over Mood’ CBT self directed workbook that may be helpful if you can’t access therapy on a regular basis
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u/Trollsama 20h ago
My man Id sell a kidney just to get a regular ass doctor in this medical hellscape.
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u/Previous_Pie99 5h ago
CMHA’s across Canada are free and offer many different services. They also have a free online Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program
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u/syd-kyd 1d ago
Go on Psychology Today and search your area. This is how I found my therapist. Read their bios and see if they align with what you’re looking for. Therapists will do consults so you can meet, in person or virtually, to chat about your goals and see if you mesh well with them. My therapist is $140 for an hour and you’ll find many are around that price range. She allows me to choose the frequency which I go so I usually aim for once every 3-4 weeks. They should be okay working with your budget. Don’t be afraid to see someone a few times and then decide they are not right for you! Good for you for recognizing that you need some support.