I started this because I get questions about therapy about 2-3 times a year. These recommendations are mostly for therapy for and by Queer People & Women of Colour in Toronto. YMMV. Please contribute or make a PR if you have any recommendations!

Contributions by: @tdotsomebody & Pasha

• Psychiatrist - Someone who prescribes medication, sometimes does psychology.

• Psychologist - Someone who practices psychology. A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

• Registered Social Worker (RSW) - Someone with a Masters of Social Work (MSW) and registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

• Counsellor - Someone who may or may not be an RSW.

• Therapist - can include any of the above, but usually doesn't include psychiatrists who do not provide therapy services.

OHIP will only cover psychiatrists or medical doctors who also practice psychology (see: Vaidya and Mcdonough below). They are rare. If you do find someone like that, you will likely need a referral from a doctor (physician). Take the name of the person you want treatment from, and ask your doctor to make a referral for that specific person. Sometimes your medical doctor can provide stopgap therapy until a referral comes through.

Private insurance may only cover certain types of therapists, for example, psychologists but not social workers (e.g. they will cover Malik-Noor but not Takeda, below). It's best to check with your insurance company before you contact someone, so you're not out hundreds of dollars.

• Psychotherapy costs around $90-$150 if you are paying out of pocket.

• Some therapists have a sliding scale! It means you pay be able to pay what you can, within a range. You should ask.

• Community health centres and psychotherapy students are more affordable, and sometimes free.

Val is a queer therapist of colour who specializes in trauma, workplace bullying, queer issues, sexual and domestic violence - everything trauma related. She is really great at providing tools for trauma recovery and anxiety management.

Online | Email | (647) 220-4970 | $100+

Samia is a therapist of colour who is very experienced and competent in dealing with family-related issues, especially regarding South-Asian families. She is great in crisis, very empathetic and validating, and poses hard questions.

Online | Email | (647) 220-4970 | $100+

Sheila is a psychotherapist with an anti-oppressive approach, and does couples therapy with monogamous or non-monogamous folks.

Online | Email | 647-859-9160| 100+ - sliding scale available

Andrea is an RSW with a specialty in grief and bereavement counselling and takes an anti-oppressive lens.

Online | Email | 647-286-3728 | 100+ - sliding scale available

Silvana is a registered psychotherapist who works with LGBTQ* folks and people of colour.

Online | Email | 416-535-5705 | 100+

Dr. Shailla Vaidya is a medical doctor of colour (can prescribe meds) and also provides psychotherapy. This means OHIP will cover Dr. Vaidya's services, so she is free with a referral. She has instructions on her website on how to get your family doc to give you a referral for her. My friend went to her for Postpartum Depression and had a really solid experience.

Online | Free, with referral from your doc.

Dr Erin Mcdonough is a psychiatrist that also does psychotherapy, with a focus on youth. This means OHIP will cover her services, so she is free with a referral. She mostly does on talk therapy, and will occasionally mention meds if she thinks you need it.

Online | 416-901-6690 | Free, with referral from your doc.

• TIRP Referral Service - Call Pat DeYoung (416-465-4558) at TIRP and describe your needs. She can match you with a trainee therapist for $25, or a recent grad at $40-80.

• The Living Institute Student Clinic - The Living Institute Student Clinic will connect you with an intern therapist at rates negotiated by you and the student. The initial consultation is provided by a senior psychotherapist at no charge. Call 416-515-0404 and leave a confidential message containing your name and phone, or email Caroline Mardon, Clinical Director at [email protected].

CHCs have very affordable and population-specific therapy services but they also have very long waiting lists (3-9 months). They are not to be relied on during a time of crisis, unless it is physical.

• Women's Health in Women's Hands - Free, but only take Women of Colour.
• Family Services Toronto - Sliding scale based on income. LGBTQ* focus.
• Planned Parenthood Toronto - Free, but only accept youth under age 29.
• Sherbourne Health Centre - Free. LGBTQ* and immigrant focus.
• the519 - Free, up to 6 sessions. LGBTQ* focus.
• Access Alliance - Free, LGBTQ* positive and immigrant focus. Translators available.

Most people think of a crisis as a situation where you need to call the ambulance, immediately. A crisis does not always look like that - it can be crying uncontrollably for days, constant anxiety attacks, suicidal thoughts, etc.

• If you are in crisis but can wait for people to get back to you, tell the provider you are contacting that you are in crisis. Sometimes this can speed up communication with them, or push you higher up the waiting list.

• If you are in crisis and cannot wait, you can call the Distress Centre at 416-408-HELP (4357), the Gerstein Centre Crisis Line at 416-929-5200, or access any of these specific crisis lines.

• If you need immediate help can walk into CAMH's emergency at 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario. Check out these threads on Reddit for people's experience doing this, if you want more insight.

• Call 911 if you need an ambulance, firefighter, or police help.