Starting Psychotherapy in Ontario: 01 Four Signs You could benefit
- Lindsey Hutchings, BScN
- Aug 6
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Could you benefit from starting psychotherapy?
Starting psychotherapy can be a life-changing decision, but how do you know if you are someone who could benefit from this evidence-based treatment? As Lindsey Hutchings, RN, Psychotherapist, working through my online mental health practice, LAH Counselling & Psychotherapy, I help clients across Ontario determine if psychotherapy is the right choice for them. Many consider psychotherapy but hesitate, unsure if it’s worth the investment. Financial barriers exist for some, especially since public healthcare plans don’t cover it, and many insurance companies cover too little. Fortunately, Ontario offers publicly funded options like the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program for certain conditions, which can make therapy more accessible. Visit Health Sciences North to learn more about eligibility and services. For First Nations and Inuit clients, the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program covers psychotherapy and as a registered service provider, LAH Counselling & Psychotherapy offers direct-billing. Learn more in my FAQ on Insurance Coverage.
Maybe you are considering psychotherapy because you've tried everything to cope and are still suffering. Or maybe your negative emotions are consuming your days and weeks. If your relationship struggles keep repeating or you find yourself saying, “Enough is enough”, then this post is for you.
As part of my 10-part series on starting psychotherapy, I begin with sharing four signs you might benefit from starting therapy. Read on to learn if now’s the time to book a free consultation and explore the benefits of psychotherapy.
4 Signs You Might benefit from starting psychotherapy
1. You’ve Tried Everything Else to Manage Your Struggles
When clients begin psychotherapy at LAH Counselling, I ask, “What have you already tried?” Most have explored multiple coping strategies—some effective, others not. You might have tried prescribed medications, meditation apps, distraction with electronics, or substances to ease the discomfort. Maybe you’ve distracted yourself with work or hobbies, hoping the pain would pass. As a Registered Nurse with almost ten years of experience, I’ve seen how life’s growing complexity can overwhelm our usual methods.
Trying multiple approaches shows you’re resilient and ready for growth. Starting psychotherapy builds on that persistence. Unlike temporary fixes like distraction and disconnection, psychotherapy involves learning skills through different evidence-based therapies to address a variety of mental health concerns. While some people can find relief in a single session, almost three-quarters of people who entered psychotherapy experienced some positive effects by six months of treatment (1).
Psychotherapy is more than aimlessly talking about your problems. It involves building focus and insight, and equips you with the skills to better navigate life's challenges (2). During COVID-19 lockdowns, society experienced a collective worsening of mental well-being due to the loss of its coping strategies. Going to the gym or out for dinner with friends was suddenly inaccessible. Psychotherapy helps clients learn new coping skills for when old coping skills stop working.
Your willingness to try different solutions signals you’re prepared for the psychotherapy process, which requires dedication and a desire to learn.
Ready to take the next step?
My online psychotherapy service in Ontario makes it easy to start.
2. Negative Emotions Are Outweighing the Positive
Life naturally includes negative emotions, but negative experiences shouldn’t dominate. If anxiety, depression, or anger overshadow your days, it’s a sign you might need psychotherapy. As an RN, Psychotherapist, I’ve counselled clients who feel trapped in these emotions, unable to enjoy life’s beautiful moments. One study showed that psychotherapy had a bigger effect on functioning and quality of life than the use of medication (3).
Psychotherapy doesn't eliminate negative emotions or experiences, but it helps you manage them better so you can get back to enjoying the good bits. Focusing on your mental health by engaging in counselling helps you regain balance, increasing the positive experiences so you can enjoy that warm morning coffee or that cool breeze on a hot, humid day.
Through techniques like mindfulness or modalities like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), psychotherapy teaches you to challenge negative thoughts, set boundaries, and act with intention instead of reacting from emotion. Psychotherapy helps you create order in your mind so your emotions don't create chaos. If you’re struggling to access life’s positives, starting psychotherapy can teach you practical skills. Virtual sessions at LAH Counselling make mental health support more accessible for all residents of Ontario.
Curious? Read More about our services:
3. You’re Facing Repeated Relationship Challenges
Healthy relationships bring warmth and safety, but repeating unhealthy patterns can signal it’s time for psychotherapy. Whether you’re between relationships and seeking self-improvement or in a relationship you want to strengthen, reflecting on your behaviours is key.
As Lindsey Hutchings, RN, Psychotherapist, I believe a healthier relationship with yourself leads to better connections with others. The psychotherapy process helps you identify patterns—like people-pleasing or avoiding conflict—that disrupt relationships. Learning just a few skills, like emotion regulation or assertive communication, can make significant improvements to your relationship satisfaction.
Starting psychotherapy in Ontario, whether online or in-person, offers tools to break these cycles through growth and empowerment. My approach at LAH Counselling uses evidence-based methods to foster growth leading to improvements in your calmness, confidence, and compassion.
If relationship struggles are holding you back,
book a free consultation to explore
how psychotherapy can help you thrive in Ontario.
4. You’ve Reached “Enough Is Enough”
Ten years ago, I hit my own “enough is enough” moment, leading me to discovery psychotherapy. As an RN, Psychotherapist, I’ve seen clients reach this point—where continuing as is feels unbearable, so they find the motivation to make a major change. This realization shows you’re ready to prioritize self-care and growth. It’s a powerful sign you’re prepared to start psychotherapy.
This moment of clarity, where you choose yourself and your well-being, means you’re willing to tolerate discomfort to create change. My online psychotherapy service in Ontario makes it easy to stay on track, with flexible sessions tailored to your needs. At LAH Counselling, I’ll guide you through evidence-based techniques to help you learn to regulate your emotions, assert yourself in conflict, and set boundaries to protect your peace.
Learn More about LAH Counselling
Why Choose Psychotherapy with an RN, Psychotherapist?
As Lindsey Hutchings, BScN, RN, Psychotherapist, I bring a unique blend of nursing and psychotherapy expertise to LAH Counselling. My background—degrees from Western, Stellenbosch, and McGill, plus completion of the Certificate in Nursing Psychotherapy at College of Health Studies —ensures evidence-based care.
Nursing psychotherapy integrates medical insight with knowledge of mental health, addressing both mind and body. Whether you’re living in the big city or nestled away in rural Ontario, my online sessions make starting psychotherapy accessible. Combining my medical background with mental health care helps me understand how chronic pain or chronic illness can negatively impact mental well-being. I understand the distress of navigating our chaotic healthcare system and can help you prepare for appointments to reduce the stress of being unwell.
Registered nurses are often required to deliver patient education, so as an RN Psychotherapist, I am continuing this practice with this psychoeducational blog. This 10-part blog series explores the process of psychotherapy, from the signs you're ready to start to finding the right therapist to finishing therapy.
If you are ready to learn more, book a free consultation
to see how I can support your mental health journey.
Conclusion
Starting psychotherapy in Ontario is a brave step toward a healthier you. If you’ve tried everything, feel overwhelmed by your emotions, face frequent relationship challenges, or say, “Enough is enough,” now’s the time to act. As Lindsey Hutchings, RN, Psychotherapist, I’m here to guide you with compassionate, evidence-based care at LAH Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Contact me at 343.338.5684 or lindsey.hutchings@LAHCounselling.ca, or book a free online consultation to explore the benefits of psychotherapy.
Check out my series for more insights, and take the first step today—you’re worth it.
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Understanding psychotherapy and how it works. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/understanding
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Psychotherapies. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2011). Evidence-based therapy relationships: Research conclusions and clinical practices. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 4–14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5244449/
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