Therapedia Centre – Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers about psychotherapy, counselling, art therapy, appointments, insurance, funding, virtual therapy, and services at Therapedia Centre in Toronto.

Getting Started

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

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Therapy can help with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship concerns, self-esteem, life changes, and many other emotional challenges. You can also start therapy simply because you want support, greater self-understanding, or healthier coping strategies.

Do you offer a free consultation?

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Yes. New clients may book a free 15-minute virtual consultation to ask questions, discuss their needs, and see whether a therapist feels like a good fit.

How do I choose the right therapist?

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Review each therapist’s areas of focus, approach, language, location, and availability. If you are unsure, contact our team and we can help match you with a therapist based on your needs and preferences.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

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A doctor’s referral is generally not required for private psychotherapy or art therapy. Some insurance or funding programs may have their own requirements, so it is best to confirm before booking.

Appointments & Sessions

How long is a therapy session?

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Standard psychotherapy and art therapy sessions are generally 50 minutes. Initial consultations are 15 minutes, and some specialized services may have different appointment lengths.

How often should I attend therapy?

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Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions. Your therapist will help you choose a schedule based on your goals, needs, availability, and progress.

What happens in the first therapy session?

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Your therapist will conduct an initial assessment of your current concerns, relevant history, and therapy goals. Together, you’ll discuss your needs and preferences and explore an approach that feels right for you.

What if my therapist does not feel like the right fit?

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Therapist fit is important. If you do not feel comfortable with your current match, contact us and we can help you explore another available Therapedia therapist.

Do you offer in-person and virtual therapy?

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Yes. Therapedia Centre offers both in-person and virtual psychotherapy, depending on therapist availability and the type of service you need.

Where are your Toronto locations?

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We currently offer in-person appointments at Pape & Danforth, Yonge & Bloor, and Yonge & Sheppard. Therapist availability may vary by location.

Fees, Insurance & Payment

Is psychotherapy covered by OHIP?

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Private psychotherapy and art therapy at Therapedia Centre are not covered by OHIP. Many extended health benefit plans may provide coverage for Registered Psychotherapists.

Does private insurance cover psychotherapy?

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Many private insurance plans cover some or all psychotherapy fees. Coverage varies, so please confirm your annual limit, professional designation requirements, and reimbursement rules directly with your insurer.

Do you direct bill private insurance?

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As of January 2026, Registered Psychotherapists may offer direct billing with some major insurance providers, including Manulife and Sun Life. To find out whether your plan allows direct billing, please provide your insurance information to our front desk team.

How can I pay for my session?

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Payment options include Credit card, E-transfer, cash, or cheque. We require our clients to have a credit card on file. Payments must be completed at the time of the appointment.

Children, Teens & Families

Do you provide therapy for children?

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Yes. We provide psychotherapy and art therapy for children experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, school stress, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, family changes, and other concerns.

Do you provide therapy for teenagers?

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Yes. Teen therapy may support concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD-related challenges, school stress, self-esteem, relationships, family conflict, identity, trauma, and life transitions.

Will parents be involved in a child’s therapy?

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Parent involvement depends on the child’s age, needs, consent, and therapeutic goals. Your therapist will explain confidentiality and the appropriate level of parent or caregiver participation at the beginning of therapy.

Art Therapy

What is art therapy?

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Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression and the art-making process to explore emotions, experiences, and relationships. It can support self-expression, insight, emotional regulation, and healing without relying solely on words.

Do I need to be good at art?

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No. Artistic skill is not required. Art therapy focuses on expression, exploration, and the therapeutic process rather than creating a polished piece of artwork.

Is art therapy only for children?

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No. Art therapy can be helpful for children, teens, adults, families, and seniors. Sessions can combine creative activities with conversation and other psychotherapy approaches.

Funding Programs

Does Therapedia Centre accept NIHB?

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Yes. Eligible First Nations and Inuit clients may access mental health counselling through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program, subject to current program eligibility and approval requirements.

Do you provide services through Jordan’s Principle?

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Yes. Mental health and therapy services for eligible First Nations children may be funded through Jordan’s Principle. Families can contact us to discuss available services and required documentation.

Do you support Inuit children through the Inuit Child First Initiative?

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Yes. Eligible Inuit children and families may be able to access psychotherapy, art therapy, or related mental health support through the Inuit Child First Initiative, subject to program approval.

Do you provide psychotherapy through IFHP?

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Yes. Therapedia Centre provides psychotherapy for eligible refugees and other clients with Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage. Current IFHP rules include a client co-payment for supplemental mental health benefits, so please contact us before booking to confirm your coverage.

Privacy, Safety & Other Questions

Is therapy confidential?

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Yes. Your therapist protects your privacy in accordance with Ontario law and professional standards. However, confidentiality has legal limits, including certain concerns about serious risk of harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, mandatory reporting obligations, or when disclosure of records or information is required by law, court order, or legal proceedings. Our Registered Psychotherapists follow CRPO standards regarding confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting.

Can a psychotherapist diagnose ADHD, OCD, or other conditions?

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Registered Psychotherapists can assess symptoms and provide psychotherapy within their scope of practice, but they do not provide every type of formal medical or psychological diagnosis. When needed, your therapist may recommend an assessment with an appropriate regulated professional.

Can a psychotherapist prescribe medication?

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No. Registered Psychotherapists do not prescribe medication. Medication questions should be discussed with a physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or another authorized prescriber.

What therapy approaches do you use?

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Approaches vary by therapist and may include CBT, DBT-informed strategies, attachment-based therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed care, art therapy, and other evidence-informed approaches.

What languages are available?

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Therapedia Centre is a multilingual practice. Depending on therapist availability, services may be available in English, Farsi, Portuguese, French, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and other languages.

What should I do in a mental health emergency?

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Therapedia Centre is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In Canada, you can also call or text 988 for suicide crisis support.

How do I book an appointment?

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You can book online or contact us at (416) 877-0137 or [email protected]. If you are unsure which therapist or service to choose, our team can help you get started.

Customized Programs for Organizations and Community Settings

Do you offer therapy services at schools, seniors’ residences, or other community settings?

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Yes. We provide individual and group therapy services at schools, seniors’ residences, community organizations, healthcare settings, and other facilities. Programs can be tailored to the needs, goals, and population of each organization.

Can our organization arrange ongoing therapy services?

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Yes. We work with organizations to develop short-term or ongoing therapy programs based on their needs, including individual sessions, therapeutic groups, workshops, and specialized programming.

Do you offer art therapy groups and workshops for organizations?

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Yes. Our therapists can provide customized art therapy groups, wellness workshops, and therapeutic programs for children, youth, adults, and seniors in community and organizational settings.

How can an organization request services?

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Schools, seniors’ residences, community organizations, and other facilities can contact us at [email protected] to discuss their needs, location, population, and preferred type of service. We will work with you to develop an appropriate program and service plan.