Starting Psychotherapy in Ontario: 02 Finding The Right Psychotherapist
- Lindsey Hutchings, BScN
- Aug 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Are you looking for the right psychotherapist in Ontario?
This is the second post in a series on Starting Psychotherapy in Ontario. The first covered four signs you might benefit from psychotherapy.
Background
Before we get into four signs that you've found the right therapist, let's discuss what it means to be a psychotherapist in Ontario.
Each province and state regulates their own health professionals.
Regulated Health Professions Act
In Ontario, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) ensures health professionals deliver safe, ethical care. It regulates 26 professions, like doctors, nurses, and psychotherapists, each governed by a College (e.g., College of Nurses of Ontario). The RHPA sets standards for practice and accountability.
The RHPA defines the scope of practice for each profession, outlining what services professionals are authorized to perform. It also specifies controlled acts (e.g., prescribing drugs, performing surgery) that only certain professionals can carry out.
Each health profession has a regulatory college responsible for:
Setting standards for education, training, and practice.
Licensing professionals.
Handling complaints and disciplinary actions.
Ensuring continuing competence and professional development.
It is important to know who can perform which service when setting out to find a therapist. Understanding these roles helps you choose the right professional for your needs.
What's the difference between a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, and a Psychotherapist?
Psychiatrist:
Education: Medical doctor (MD) with specialized mental health training.
Abilities: Diagnoses and treats mental health disorders, prescribes medications, and provides therapies like CBT. Focuses on biological aspects, often in hospitals or clinics.
Regulation: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the RHPA.
Psychologist:
Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in psychology.
Abilities: Assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health issues with therapies like CBT or psychoanalysis. Cannot prescribe medications. Works in private practice, schools, or research.
Regulation: College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) under the RHPA.
Psychotherapist:
Education: Bachelor or Master's in a health related field (e.g., nursing, social work, psychotherapy degree).
Abilities: Performs psychotherapy, a controlled act, to address mental health challenges. Cannot diagnose or prescribe unless part of another regulated role (e.g., nurse, physician).
Regulation: Six colleges under the RHPA, including College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Ready to take the next step?
My online psychotherapy service in Ontario makes it easy to start.
Finding A psychotherapist in Ontario
One of the best ways to find a therapist is word of mouth. But since not everyone likes to admit they are seeking a counsellor, online directories exist which allow you to browse profiles and sort by needs. You can decide if you want a therapist of a particular demographic, a particular treatment focus or a particular treatment modality.
Explore these trusted resources to find a psychotherapist in Ontario tailored to your needs:
Psychology Today: A user-friendly directory for finding licensed therapists, psychologists, and counsellors in Ontario. Search by location, insurance, or issues like anxiety or depression. Includes detailed profiles and mental health articles by professionals.
Affordable Therapy Network: Connects you with licensed therapists offering low-cost or sliding-scale online therapy in Ontario. Filter by specialty (e.g., trauma) or session format, ideal for budget-conscious clients.
Nurse Psychotherapist Association of Ontario (NPAO): A registry of Registered Nurse, Psychotherapists providing reduced-barrier mental health support in Ontario. NPAO supports professional development and advocacy for accessible care.
Your time and money are valuable. You don’t want just any counsellor—you want someone who truly helps. But how do you know you’ve found the right fit?
This post, part of my 10-part series on the psychotherapy process, shares four signs you’ve found the right psychotherapist for you.
If you’re considering online psychotherapy in Ontario, read on to learn what to look for.
Learn more about LAH Services:
Four Signs You've Found The Right Therapist
You Feel Heard in Your Sessions
To "feel heard" means to experience the sensation that your communication, including your thoughts, feelings, and perspectives, has been received, understood, and acknowledged by another person with empathy and respect. It goes beyond simply hearing the words; it involves feeling validated and understood as a person. Feeling heard is key to effective psychotherapy in Ontario. After just a few sessions with the right therapist, you should feel reflective, not frustrated. At LAH Counselling, I prioritize active listening to support clients with anxiety, depression, or trauma. A good psychotherapist focuses entirely on you, offering validation that friends or family may not provide. Notice if you leave sessions feeling understood. If not, keep searching for the right fit.
You Feel Trust & Safety
Based on a foundation of trust, the development of a strong therapeutic relationship between therapist and client is critical for effective psychotherapy. Feeling safe with your psychotherapist lets you speak freely without fear of judgment. Building trust takes time—often a few sessions, depending on your unique experiences.
At the heart of meaningful therapy lies a trusting connection between you and your therapist. Research shows this bond is key to positive outcomes, no matter the therapy style. A 2018 meta-analysis of over 30,000 patients found that a strong therapeutic alliance—built on shared goals, mutual respect, and a genuine connection—consistently leads to better results, like reduced symptoms and greater well-being (Flückiger et al., 2018). Whether you’re exploring in-person or online sessions, this trust can light the way to your path of growth and healing.
Sometimes, a lack of connection (e.g., if they remind you of someone negative) isn’t personal—it’s just part of finding the right counsellor. This is why many counsellors offer free consultations. It's a no-obligation meet and greet to see if there is an initial compatibility.
Ready to start your journey in a safe, trusting space?
Book a session with LAH Counselling to today
You’re Comfortable Disagreeing
The right psychotherapist in Ontario creates a space to disagree without fear. At LAH Counselling, I help clients see disagreement as healthy, building skills in conflict resolution and confidence. If you can share honest thoughts or challenge insights comfortably, you’ve found a good match. My online therapy sessions, whether in Toronto or Sudbury, foster open dialogue for authentic growth.
You’re Making Steady Progress
Progress is a clear sign you’ve found the right psychotherapist. While the psychotherapy process takes time, you should see regular improvements toward your goals—whether managing anxiety, improving relationships, or building self-esteem. Lulls or plateaus are normal. Feeling like you've taken a step back isn't uncommon, and not every session will provide huge insights.
Healing is anything but a linear process, but at least every few sessions, you should be noticing gains in your life, no matter how small—pausing before you explode or setting a boundary with that annoying coworker. If no improvements/changes occur after a few sessions, it might mean reassessing your goals or searching for a new counsellor.
A new counsellor might provide a different type of therapy or have a delivery style that better suits your needs. Changing therapists isn't an insult to the therapist. If the goal is your healing, the priority is making progress towards that goal.
If you are ready to learn more, book a free consultation
to see how I can support your mental health journey.
Why Choose LAH Counselling for Psychotherapy in Ontario?
At LAH Counselling, you’ll find compassionate, tailored psychotherapy in Ontario with me, Lindsey Hutchings, RN, Psychotherapist. My backgrounds in biochemistry (Western University and Stellenbosch University), nursing (McGill University), and additional psychotherapy training (Certificate of Nursing Psychotherapy from the College of Health Studies, and currently pursuing training in IFS/Somatic Experiencing) offer a holistic body-mind approach. I provide:
Online therapy for clients across Ontario, from Toronto to rural areas.
Free consultations to ensure you feel heard and safe.
Goal-focused therapy to manage anxiety, depression, or relationships.
Educational resources through my blog series and upcoming courses.
Book a free consultation today to start your mental health journey with personalized care!
Read More:
Conclusion
Finding a psychotherapist in Ontario who makes you feel heard, safe, and comfortable is key to successful therapy. As Lindsey Hutchings, RN, Psychotherapist at LAH Counselling, I offer compassionate, evidence-based online therapy. Start today—book a free consultation at LAHCounselling.ca or explore my blog series for more insights. Take the first step toward **mental health**. You’re worth it!
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