A Complete Guide to Finding Low-Cost and Free Therapy in Toronto

Attending therapy can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it can also be costly, and looking for affordable therapy in Toronto can be extremely overwhelming. The options might feel limited or altogether non-existing. In this guide, we’ll walk through affordable therapy options in Toronto.

I will cover the following:

• Insurance-covered therapy
• Sliding scale therapy
• Low-cost therapy
• Free therapy and OHIP-covered therapy
• Other free mental health resources

By the end of the guide, you’ll have real, tangible options for free or low-cost therapy in Toronto. If you struggle to afford therapy and aren’t sure where to start, read on.

Insurance-covered therapy

Most therapy options in Toronto fall under the category of private practices. Private practices are offices run by therapists that are generally not covered by public means. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to pay out of pocket.

If you have insurance through your workplace, school, union, or other provider, you may be covered for mental health services. To find out, check your benefits booklet or online account, or contact your insurance provider directly to confirm what mental health services are covered. You can also ask them about any limits or requirements, and whether you need a referral.

Your plan may include a maximum annual amount for mental health services. For example, you may have up to $5,000 per year in coverage for services provided by a registered psychotherapist, social worker, or psychologist.

Alternatively, your plan may reimburse a percentage of the cost of each session (for example, 80%), meaning you’ll be responsible for paying the remaining balance.

You may also be covered for a maximum amount per session. For instance, for a psychotherapist, you may be covered for $190 per session, and have to pay any remaining amount out of pocket.

Before paying out of pocket, check in with your insurance provider; you may be at least partially covered by them.

Sliding scale therapy

Some therapists offer a sliding scale. A sliding scale is a reduced fee for clients who are struggling to afford the therapist’s usual rate. Usually, this is due to low income or extenuating circumstances. The fee is determined collaboratively between the therapist and client and is meant to make therapy more accessible for people.

For example, a therapist may offer a sliding scale if:

• You’ve recently lost your job
• You are living on a lower income
• You have developed a disability or illness
• You are going through a separation or another life event that has affected your finances

Although it can feel uncomfortable to ask, it’s completely appropriate to ask a therapist whether they offer a sliding scale. Therapists are generally familiar with this question. They can let you know:

• Whether they have reduced-fee spaces available
• How their sliding scale works
• Whether you might be eligible for their sliding scale fees

To learn more about sliding fees, click here.

If you can’t afford a therapist’s rate, check in with them. They may offer more affordable rates through sliding scale fees.

Low-cost therapy

There are low-cost therapy options throughout Toronto. Below are some options, linked and described:

• Affordable Therapy Network– A directory of online and in-person therapists that offer low-cost therapy, as low as $30 per session. Some therapists also offer pro-bono or pay-what-you-can sessions.
• Affordable Therapy Services– Offers individual therapy at $50/session, couples therapy at $70/session, and group therapy for $40/session.
• Hard Feelings– A charity-based practice that offers in-person and online therapy for individuals at $70 to $100 per session, and families at $110 to $130 per session.
• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective– A therapy collective that offers low-cost sessions between $50 and $90 for a one time administrative fee.
• Student Therapists– Therapists who are completing their practicums often offer reduced rates or pro-bono sessions. Find a Student Therapist, Gestalt Institute of Toronto, OPCC, and OISE all provide options to book with students training to be therapists.

Free therapy and OHIP-covered therapy

There are also free and OHIP-covered therapy options. I’ve linked some below alongside some descriptions:

• BBYOS– Provides free, long-term counselling and psychotherapy for youth ages 12–25 in Toronto, with additional support for families, housing, employment, and other life challenges.
• CAMH– Canada’s largest mental health hospital offers specialized clinical services, outpatient programs, and community resources. Many services are covered by OHIP, though some require a referral from a healthcare provider.
• CMHA– Offers a range of free community mental health programs, including counselling, peer support, case management, and recovery services.
• East End Community Health Centre – Offers free counselling and psychotherapy, along with primary care and community support services, for people living in east Toronto.
• Family Service Toronto– Offers free, single-session counselling for individuals, couples, and families experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Services are available in person and virtually.
• Lumenus– Provides free therapy services for children, youth, young adults, and families in Toronto.
• MDPac– Connects you with OHIP-covered psychotherapy facilitated by a doctor. Includes information on doctor locations, specialty, and whether they have a waitlist.
• MNLCT Mental Health Services– Offers free individual, family, and group counselling for newcomers to Canada, with services available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and English.
• Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program– Offers free, evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and other concerns through self-referral or a healthcare provider. 
• SEAS Centre– Offers free individual and family counselling and mental health education, with services available in multiple languages.
• Stella’s Place– Provides free mental health services for young adults (16-29) in Toronto, including peer support, counselling, employment support, and drop-in services. 
• Tangerine Counselling– Offers free, walk-in virtual counselling sessions for adults in Ontario. Services are brief, solution-focused, and available without a referral.
• WoodGreen Counselling and Support Services– Offers free individual counselling, case management, and group support for adults (16+) experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. Services are available in person, virtually, or by phone.

Other free mental health resources

I’ve also included other free resources related to mental health services and getting your needs met:

Crisis & Mental Health Support Lines

• 211 Ontario– A free information and referral service that connects people with community, social, housing, food, financial, and mental health services in their area.
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline– A free, confidential crisis service available by phone or text, 24/7, for anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, or who is concerned about someone else.
• ConnexOntario– A free, confidential referral service that connects people in Ontario to mental health, addiction, and gambling supports by phone, text, chat, or email, 24/7.
• Distress Centres of Greater Toronto–  A crisis, emotional support, and suicide intervention agency offers help to those who experience mental health issues or are in a state of emotional distress.
• Good2Talk– A free, confidential mental health support line for post-secondary students in Ontario. Students can access professional counselling, information, and referrals by phone or text, 24/7.
• Hope for Wellness Helpline– A free, confidential counselling and crisis intervention service for Indigenous peoples across Canada, available by phone or online chat, 24/7.
• LGBT YouthLine– Peer support, information, and referrals for 2SLGBTQ+ youth through phone, text, and chat.
• The Access Point– A referral service that connects adults in Toronto to community mental health, addictions, supportive housing, and case management services.

Counselling & Peer Support

• BounceBack– Provides no-cost, supported self-directed resources for individuals aged 15 and older dealing with mild to moderate mental health challenges. This program utilizes workbooks, digital content, and remote coaching to foster effective management strategies.
• Bereaved Families of Ontario– Provides free peer support for individuals grieving the death of a loved one through support groups, one-to-one peer support, and educational programs to help people navigate the grieving process.
• Al-Anon– A mutual group meetings program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Mental Health Apps

• MoodTools– A free mental health app designed to support individuals experiencing depression through mood tracking, safety planning, thought journaling, guided activities, and educational resources.
• What’s Up?– A free mental health and self-care app that helps users manage depression, anxiety, stress, and other emotional challenges using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques.

Housing, Food & Basic Needs

• Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic– Provides counselling, legal information, and interpretation services for women and gender-diverse people experiencing violence. 
• Blythwood Out of the Cold– A seasonal overnight shelter program offering a safe place to sleep, meals, clothing, and connections to housing and community support services during the winter months.
• Fort York Food Bank– Provides emergency food assistance and community support services for individuals and families in downtown Toronto. Services include food programs, referrals, housing support, and employment resources.
• North York Women’s Shelter– Provides emergency shelter, crisis support, advocacy, and transitional housing services for women, trans, and non-binary individuals experiencing gender-based violence, helping them build lives free from abuse.
• Streets to Homes Program– A City of Toronto outreach program that helps people experiencing homelessness access housing, shelters, health care, income supports, and other essential services.
• The Law Society Foundation– A charitable organization that supports hunger relief, educational opportunities, and community initiatives across Ontario, including meal programs and grants that benefit vulnerable populations.
• YMCA GTA Youth Housing– Provides emergency and transitional housing for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, along with case management, life skills, education, and employment support.
• Yonge Street Mission– Supports youth, adults, and families experiencing poverty through programs including food security, mental health counselling, employment services, housing support, and education.

Therapy in Toronto

Finding accessible mental health resources isn’t always easy, but I hope this made it helpful. Keep checking back in, as I regularly update this page with new resources.

If you’re interested in booking a therapy with me, I am happy to get on a free 15-minute consultation call and see if we’re a good fit. Even if we’re not the right match, I will always try to refer you to a therapist or organization that is.

Want to learn more about OHIP-covered services? Click here.