How to Find a Therapist in Toronto
Finding a therapist can feel like an epic search for a needle in a haystack. Maybe you’ve imagined an eccentric professor-type character with knick-knacks in their office, or an earthy bohemian type of person who practices out of an incense-scented office.
But how do you actually find this magical person? How do you find the right therapist in Toronto?
Working with KMA Therapy since 2008, I’ve witnessed and helped many clients in Toronto find just the right therapist who is a good match for their issues and personality.
This guide will give you everything you need to know about finding a therapist in Toronto and help you feel more empowered to take the next steps on your therapy journey.
To help answer this question, we’ll dive into:
- What are the different designations of therapists practicing in Toronto
- Which of these types of therapists do you need?
- Where exactly to go to find the therapist for you
By the end of this article, you’ll have a roadmap to finding the right therapist for you.
What Types of Therapists Practice in Toronto?
In Ontario (which includes Toronto), there are several different kinds of therapists.
1. Psychologists
Psychologists are licensed mental health professionals who have doctoral degrees in Psychology and are trained to diagnose and treat mental health concerns. Psychologists in Toronto can be found working in hospitals, clinics, and in private practices scattered across the city.
2. Psychotherapists
Psychotherapists are also licensed mental health professionals who generally have masters degrees in Psychology or counselling. Psychotherapists in Toronto can be found working in hospitals, clinics and in independent private practices throughout the city.
3. Social Workers
Social workers are professionals who generally have masters degrees in Social Work. Social workers in Toronto can be found working in schools, shelters, agencies, hospitals, clinics and private practices in the city.
4. Counsellors
Although counselling isn’t a protected term in Ontario (technically anyone could call themselves a counsellor without repercussion), typically clinical or couples counsellors have an undergraduate degree in psychology and some post-graduate training in counselling.
5. Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with an additional 4 year residency in psychiatry, which involves not only giving you a diagnosis, but prescribing and overseeing the use of pharmaceutical drugs to aid in your recovery. Psychiatrists are less likely found in private practices and more often found in hospitals throughout the city.
What Type of Therapist Should I See?
For relationship issues:
You’re having issues in your relationship, Toronto has many great therapists who work with relationship issues.
The type of therapist you’ll likely want to search if you’re dealing with relationship issues is:
- A psychologist who specializes in relationship issues
- A psychotherapist who specializes in relationship issues
- A social worker who specializes in relationship issues
- A counsellor in who specializes in relationship issues
For anxiety or depression:
If you're experiencing anxiety or depression, you'll want to meet with:
- A psychotherapist in private or group practice
- A psychologist in a private or group practice
These professionals are trained in the spectrum of mental health and can offer treatment quickly, in addition to being trained in interpersonal issues like relationships and family.
For anger management:
Anger management therapy can be done in group or individual sessions, and there are lots of programs in Toronto. Any type of therapist can conduct productive anger management training, so the type of therapist isn’t important - it’s more about finding someone with a background in anger management.
If you need help with anger management, you can seek any of the following who offers anger management counselling:
- Psychotherapist
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
For self-esteem:
Self-esteem issues are often traced back to our childhood.
If you need someone to work with you on self esteem issues, the best choices are often:
- Psychotherapist
- Counsellor
You're looking for a diagnosis of OCD, ADHD, or another diagnosis:
A psychologist is the best choice if you have an issue for which you want a diagnosis and treatment, but not necessarily medication.
If you would like a diagnosis, see a:
- Psychologist
- Psychotherapist who is supervised by a psychologist
You’re dealing with grief or loss:
We recommend finding one of the following who has experience with bereavement:
- Psychotherapists
- Social Workers
- Counsellors
5 Ways to Find a Therapist in Toronto
1. Find a therapist in your Toronto neighbourhood with Local Search
Whether you live in King West, Parkdale, The Annex, or Roncesvalles, searching the type of therapist you need within your Toronto ‘hood can help narrow down your search. This is especially true if you want the convenience of walking to sessions or stopping in on your way home from work. Even if you do prefer online sessions, many people prefer choosing a therapist who’s close to home.
2. Review online directories like Psychology Today for Toronto therapists
Online directories have thousands of therapists in Toronto to choose from. You can filter by area of expertise, location, gender, credentials and many more, so this option is great if you want to see absolutely every therapist the city has to offer.
3. Read blogs of specific issues you’re interested in and then see who wrote it
From anger management, to trust issues, to intimacy, to anxiety, there’s likely an awesome Toronto therapist who writes about it. Sometimes reading an article written by someone can give us a sense of their personality and can help us know if they’re the right fit for us.
4. Find a community resource with local group or hospital programs:
Curated lists of programs in hospitals and community centres DO exist, even though they can be hard to find. Check out the City of Toronto's therapy community programs here.
5. Ask your doctor for a Toronto therapist referral
Your doctor may be connected to some great therapists in the city. This is a great option if you’re seeking someone experienced, vetted, and/or that your doctor knows personally.
Once you’ve found your favourites, it can be helpful to reach out to a few (or check out their websites) to understand more about how they work. You might find that a practice you liked has a waiting list or is no longer practicing, so it’s good to start with a handful that you like and potentially reach out to a bunch of them.
Next Steps for Working with a Toronto Therapist
After reading this article, you're ready to find a fantastic Toronto therapist!
Here at KMA Therapy, our team has a wide range of areas of expertise, credentials, and personalities to choose from. You’ll start with a 50-minute introductory session with a specialized therapist to find the best possible match within our practice.
Book an appointment today or reach out to our team if you have any questions.
If you're not yet ready to book an appointment, check out these articles to keep learning:
- Top 10 Therapy FAQs
- How to Know if Your Therapist is the Right Fit
- What to Expect in Your Therapy Introductory Appointment
About the Author
Kimberly is the founder of KMA Therapy and one of Canada's most experienced media relationship experts. She received her doctoral degree in Counselling Psychology in 2015 at Middlesex University, where her doctoral research studied the emotional psychology of entrepreneurs. She also has a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Guelph.
