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
Alanna Jacobs
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
Alanna Jacobs
Registered Psychotherapist
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Childhood trauma, Cultural Challenges, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief/Loss, Life transitions, Separation and divorce, Spirituality, BIPOC
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Childhood trauma, Cultural Challenges, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief/Loss, Life transitions, Separation and divorce, Spirituality, BIPOC
Dennis Keefe
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Dennis Keefe
Registered Psychotherapist
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Grief and Loss, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Grief and Loss, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability
Elena Maystruk
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Elena Maystruk
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Low mood, Neurodiversity, Overwhelm, PTSD, Relationships, Trauma, Workplace stress
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Low mood, Neurodiversity, Overwhelm, PTSD, Relationships, Trauma, Workplace stress
Nayab Tahir
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in SK, AB, YT, MB, NT, PE, BC, and ON.
Waitlist
Nayab Tahir
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/her
Addiction, Attachment trauma, Life transitions, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Building Meaningful Connections, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, Depression, Deep Brain Reorienting, Deep connections, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Addiction, Attachment trauma, Life transitions, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Building Meaningful Connections, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, Depression, Deep Brain Reorienting, Deep connections, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Megan Sherback
Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in AB, YT, NU, NS, and NB.
Waitlist
Megan Sherback
Psychologist
she/her
Highly Sensitive Person, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Asperger's, Attachment, Burnout, Grief and Loss, Identity, Emotional regulation, Self-esteem, Overwhelm, Imposter syndrome, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Meaning and purpose, Workplace stress, People pleasing, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Highly Sensitive Person, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Asperger's, Attachment, Burnout, Grief and Loss, Identity, Emotional regulation, Self-esteem, Overwhelm, Imposter syndrome, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Meaning and purpose, Workplace stress, People pleasing, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Stephanie Neshcov
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Stephanie Neshcov
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Depression, Life transitions, School challenges, Relationships, Workplace stress, Stress
Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Depression, Life transitions, School challenges, Relationships, Workplace stress, Stress
Warren Elardo
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, QC, MB, AB, NB, PE, NS, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
Warren Elardo
Registered Social Worker
He/Him
Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Addiction, Grief/Loss, Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Addiction, Grief/Loss, Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
Robert Phillips
Registered Professional Counsellor - Candidate
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, ON, SK, MB, NT, YT, NL, and QC.
Waitlist
Robert Phillips
Registered Professional Counsellor - Candidate
Men's issues, Grief and Loss, Addiction, Life transitions, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression
Men's issues, Grief and Loss, Addiction, Life transitions, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression
Anastasia Sutulova
Pre-Licensed Professional
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Anastasia Sutulova
Pre-Licensed Professional
She/Her/Hers
Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, Psychedelic therapy
Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, Psychedelic therapy
Taylor Smith
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Taylor Smith
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Addiction, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anger, Burnout, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Decision making, Emotional regulation, Depression, Familial and social relationships, Health anxiety, Fears and phobia, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, OCD, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Trauma
Addiction, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anger, Burnout, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Decision making, Emotional regulation, Depression, Familial and social relationships, Health anxiety, Fears and phobia, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, OCD, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Trauma
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, NS, NB, PE, and NL.
Waitlist
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Grief and Loss, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Identity, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Grief and Loss, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Identity, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger
Shauna Burns-Thomson
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, SK, MB, PE, NL, YT, NU, and NT.
Waitlist
Shauna Burns-Thomson
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her
Addiction, ADHD, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Coming out and identity, Couples Therapy, Intimacy concerns, Dating challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Infidelity, Intergenerational trauma, LGBTQ2IA+, Men's issues, Mind-body connection, Sexuality and gender issues, Sex therapy, Sexual issues, Sexuality, Stress, Separation and divorce, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Neurodiversity, Couples
Addiction, ADHD, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Coming out and identity, Couples Therapy, Intimacy concerns, Dating challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Infidelity, Intergenerational trauma, LGBTQ2IA+, Men's issues, Mind-body connection, Sexuality and gender issues, Sex therapy, Sexual issues, Sexuality, Stress, Separation and divorce, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Neurodiversity, Couples
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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