Getting Started & Finding the Right Care

Toronto Psychology Centre is a private practice. Our therapy and psychological assessment services are not covered by OHIP. Some extended health insurance plans reimburse services provided by registered psychologists, psychological associates, or registered social workers. Coverage varies by plan, including the types of services covered, annual limits, and whether psychological testing is eligible. We provide receipts for reimbursement, but we do not bill insurance companies directly. We recommend checking your benefits before booking so you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. For more information, please visit our Fees & Policies page.

The first step is a complimentary 10–15-minute telephone consultation with our intake team. We'll ask about your concerns, what you're hoping to understand or address, and any preferences that may help us recommend an appropriate service or clinician. For therapy, we'll consider which of our clinicians may be a good fit for your needs. For assessments, we'll discuss the questions you're hoping to answer and the type of evaluation that may be appropriate. You don't need to know exactly what kind of help you need before contacting us.

Finding the right therapist matters. It's not only about a clinician's experience and expertise, but also about finding someone whose approach fits your needs and preferences. At Toronto Psychology Centre, we take time to understand what brings you to therapy, what you're hoping to achieve, and what matters to you in a therapeutic relationship. During our complimentary 15-minute introductory call, our care coordination team will learn about your concerns, goals, and preferences. Following the call, we'll review this information and recommend clinicians whose experience and approach may be well suited to your needs. You'll have the opportunity to consider these options and choose the therapist you feel most comfortable starting with. Our psychologists and registered social workers do not offer separate complimentary meet-and-greet appointments. Instead, your first therapy session provides an opportunity to explore your concerns more deeply and begin building a therapeutic relationship. Our background questionnaires also help your therapist understand your experiences, goals, and preferences so that treatment can be tailored to your needs. Trust and connection develop over time, and no matching process can guarantee the right fit. We encourage open communication throughout therapy and welcome feedback about what's working and what may need to change. If [...]

Therapy and psychological assessments serve different purposes, although they can complement one another. Therapy helps you understand and address difficulties through an ongoing relationship with a therapist. It may involve developing coping strategies, exploring emotions, or changing patterns that are affecting your life. A psychological assessment is a structured evaluation designed to answer specific questions about attention, learning, development, emotional functioning, or other concerns. For example, someone struggling with attention and organization might benefit from therapy, an ADHD assessment, or both. You don't need to know which service is right for you before contacting us. Our initial consultation can help clarify your concerns and explore the available options.

Both psychologists and registered social workers can provide psychotherapy in Ontario, although their professional training and scopes of practice differ. Psychologists receive specialized graduate training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, research, and treatment. Registered social workers who provide psychotherapy bring clinical training and experience in addressing emotional, behavioural, interpersonal, and social difficulties. Both are regulated professionals who must practise within their areas of competence. At Toronto Psychology Centre, we value the expertise of both professions. When recommending a therapist, we consider their experience with your concerns, therapeutic approach, and suitability for your needs—not simply their professional designation. We believe effective therapy depends on clinical knowledge and judgment, as well as the ability to develop a collaborative, responsive therapeutic relationship. Formal psychological assessments and diagnoses are provided by appropriately qualified psychology professionals.

No. You can contact Toronto Psychology Centre directly to arrange an initial consultation. A physician's referral is not required to access our private therapy or psychological assessment services. Some extended health insurance plans may require a physician's referral for reimbursement, so we recommend checking your policy before booking.