Frequently asked questions

Throughout this site, you may click on ? to learn more about a particular modality or therapy.

Where can I get help immediately?

Need help for yourself or someone you know right away?

Contact connexontario.ca or call their Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600.

Using the Psychotherapy Matters website

How can Psychotherapy Matters help me?

We provide free access to a list of therapists and mental health professionals in Ontario. Search to find current listings of local therapists or access our Blog for more information on mental health issues and different types of therapy. We also have therapists with access to the Psychotherapy Matters Virtual Clinic, where providers collaborate to get the best care for their clients. Look for the PMVC icon on therapists’ profiles.

What is Psychotherapy Matters Virtual Collaboration and how can it help me?

View our short video to see how the PMVC can help you:

 

How much does Psychotherapy Matters cost?

Psychotherapy Matters is free to search! Our directory is free, confidential, and anonymous for anyone seeking help. We are a social venture enterprise, which means that our primary objective is to solve social problems and provide social benefits. Our members are private and publicly funded therapists, clinics, and community programs.

Is Psychotherapy Matters confidential?

Psychotherapy Matters is free, anonymous, and confidential. You do not need to register or provide your name and email address in order to search for services that match your needs.

Do you provide counselling?

We do not directly provide counselling. We are an online resource to help you find a counsellor, psychotherapist, or complementary/alternative services that best match your needs and preferences.

Who can use Psychotherapy Matters?

Everyone! You can search for yourself or someone you care about.

Why do you suggest regulated professionals?

We want you to be informed and aware. Always ask about credentials and registrations.

Regulated professionals:

  • Must meet educational and ethical requirements of their College*.
  • Are expected to keep up-to-date to maintain their qualifications.
  • Have a disciplinary mechanism through the regulatory body.
  • Must have malpractice insurance.
  • Have a verification process through their College website to see if there have been complaints against the member.

* The word College is used here to describe a self-regulatory institution set up by Provincial law.

What’s the difference between a psychotherapy provider and a complementary/alternative service?

Psychotherapists are mental health providers who meet the criteria of the Ontario Psychotherapy Act (2007). This includes:

  • Medical doctors
  • Nurses
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Social workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists and registered mental health therapists

Many talented and helpful providers and practitioners of a wide range of services are not specifically licensed to offer psychotherapy services or choose not to provide psychotherapy. Complementary/alternative services include:

  • Acupuncturist
  • Chiropractor
  • Dietician
  • Kinesiologist
  • Massage therapist
  • Naturopath
  • Psychopharmacologist (must be a medical doctor)
  • Speech-language pathologist

If I’m not ready to go for help, will Psychotherapy Matters still be helpful?

Psychotherapy Matters can provide general information and assist you to find a counsellor, therapist, or mental health service. Our Blog has articles and information if you are not ready to talk to a therapist.

I don’t speak English. Can you help me?

The Psychotherapy Matters website is currently only available in English but our therapist search does include information about the language proficiency of our member therapists and services.

Do you have information about services outside of Ontario?

At this time, our information is primarily focused on finding counsellors in Ontario. The Psychotherapy Matters team will expand the focus to support mental health in Canada as resources allow.

What is a sliding scale price?

  • Your therapist will adjust the cost of therapy based on your ability to pay or other considerations.

For mental health professionals: How do I join?

I’m a therapist or provider of a complementary/alternative service. Where do I find more information about becoming a member?

Our Become A Member page explains our membership package and the benefits of becoming a part of the Psychotherapy Matters online community. At this time, our membership is limited to therapists and counsellors in Ontario. Our Blog is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in learning about mental health in Canada. If you have any further questions, please Contact Us.

Additional psychotherapy and mental health information

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is sometimes called “talk therapy”. A trained therapist helps a client remove, change, or more skillfully cope with emotional issues, difficult behaviours, or stressful life situations.

Psychotherapy overlaps with counselling, guidance, coaching, and many educational programs. There are many specific types of psychotherapy. Throughout this site, you may click on ? to learn more about a particular modality or therapy.

The Psychotherapy Matters therapist list includes service providers that meet the criteria of the Ontario Psychotherapy Act (2007). This includes the following professions:

  • Medical doctors
  • Nurses
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Social workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists and registered mental health therapists

What are alternative and complementary services?

The right therapy for you may not necessarily fall under the realm of registered psychotherapists. For that reason, the Psychotherapy Matters therapist list includes services such as:

  • Acupuncturists
  • Chiropractors
  • Dieticians
  • Kinesiologists
  • Massage therapists
  • Naturopaths
  • Psychopharmacologists (must be a medical doctor)
  • Speech-language pathologists

Throughout this site, you may click on ? to learn more about a particular modality or therapy.