How to choose a perinatal therapist in Ontario.
Written by a practice that is one of the options on this page. We have tried to be straight about when the others are the better call, because you can tell when a guide is a sales page and so can we.
The short version
In Ontario, psychotherapy is provided by Registered Social Workers (RSW), Registered Psychotherapists (RP), Psychologists (CPsych) and physicians. For perinatal mental health specifically, the professional title predicts outcome less than two other things: whether the clinician actually specializes in this area, and whether you feel you can talk to them. Therapeutic fit is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy works.
Private specialist practice costs roughly $150 to $250 a session, is partly covered by most Ontario workplace plans, and you can usually start within a week or two. Hospital programs are free but typically need a referral and can involve waits of several months. If cost is the deciding factor, start with the public route and do not let anyone talk you out of it.
The five routes
What is actually available, and what each one is for.
Hospital and public programs
FreeReferral usually needed. Waits often several months.
Women's College, Mount Sinai and Sunnybrook run perinatal mental health services. Strongest option if cost is the deciding factor or the situation is acute, and the clinicians are often excellent. The constraint is access, not quality.
Private specialist practice
$150 to $250Usually start within 1 to 2 weeks. Partly insured.
Registered Social Workers or Registered Psychotherapists who work specifically in perinatal mental health. You choose the clinician, you start quickly, and you pay. This is what Toronto Therapy Practice is.
Psychologist
$250 to $350Needed for formal assessment or diagnosis.
Required if you need a diagnostic report, a custody assessment or psychoeducational testing. For treatment of perinatal anxiety or depression, not inherently more effective than an RSW or RP who specializes.
Psychiatry
Covered by OHIPBy physician referral. Waits vary widely.
A medical doctor who can prescribe. The route if medication is central to the picture. Usually works alongside therapy rather than instead of it.
Community and peer support
Free or low costDrop-in, no referral.
Public health units and parent organizations run postpartum groups. Genuinely useful against isolation, and not a substitute for treatment of a mood or anxiety disorder.
Verifying
Three checks, about five minutes.
Check the register
Search the name at ocswssw.org, crpo.ca or cpo.on.ca. Registration and discipline history are public. Remember that "therapist", "counsellor" and "coach" are not protected titles.
Ask what share of their caseload this is
A website can’t always tell you how much perinatal work someone really does. Asking can.
Ask one concrete question
Something like what they see happen to couples during a two week wait, or how they handle intrusive thoughts. A specialist answers instantly. A generalist hedges.
One thing to know about reviews
Ontario's colleges prohibit registered therapists from using client testimonials in advertising, and from asking for them. A therapy website with no reviews is following the rules. A therapy website full of glowing client quotes is worth a second look.
The right therapist is the one you keep going back to.
Common questions
Asked by people comparing their options.
RSW or RP: which should I see?
For perinatal therapy, either. Both are regulated Ontario professions that can provide psychotherapy, and the training routes differ more than the day-to-day work does.
Let your insurance decide it. Some plans name one and not the other. Check the wording, then pick on fit.
Is a psychologist better than a therapist?
Not for this, in most cases. Psychologists (C.Psych.) can provide a formal diagnosis and psychological assessment. For therapy for perinatal anxiety or depression, a specialist RSW or RP offers the same evidence-based approaches, often at a lower fee. They generally charge $250 to $350 per session.
If you need a formal diagnosis or an assessment report, you need a psychologist. For treatment of perinatal anxiety, depression, OCD or grief, specialization in perinatal work predicts outcome better than the letters do.
How much does perinatal therapy cost in Toronto?
Roughly $150 to $250 per session for an RSW or RP in private practice, and $250 to $350 for a psychologist. Hospital and public programs are free but usually require a referral and can involve waits of several months.
Most Ontario workplace plans cover a portion. OHIP does not cover psychotherapy unless it is delivered by a physician or through a hospital program.
How do I check someone is actually registered?
Search their name on the public register: ocswssw.org for social workers, crpo.ca for psychotherapists, cpo.on.ca for psychologists. Registration status and any discipline history are both public and take under a minute to check.
'Therapist', 'counsellor' and 'coach' are not protected titles in Ontario. Anyone can use them.
Why don't therapy websites have reviews?
Because Ontario's colleges prohibit it. It is professional misconduct for a registered therapist to use a testimonial from a client, a former client or any other person in advertising, and equally to solicit one.
So the absence of reviews is a sign of compliance, not a lack of track record. Judge on registration, stated specialism and how the consultation call goes instead.
What should I ask on a consultation call?
Three questions separate specialists from generalists. What proportion of your current caseload is this. Where did you train in perinatal work specifically. And a concrete one, such as what you see happen to couples during a two week wait.
Someone who works in this every week answers all three immediately and without hedging.
Reading on finding a therapist
Articles on what to look for, what to ask, and whether it's working.
Choosing a therapist
How to Choose a Therapist in 5 Steps
So, you are trying to choose which therapist to start working with.
24 Mar 2024
Choosing a therapist
Counselling vs. Therapy: Which is Right for me?
Have you or your loved one noticed a change in yourself recently?
17 Mar 2024
Choosing a therapist
7 Characteristics of a Good Therapist
The process of finding the right therapist for you can feel daunting.
25 Feb 2024
Choosing a therapist
Benefits of a Free Consultation When Looking for a Therapist
Free consultations let you develop and reflect on a connection with a therapist without any money worries. Here’s what to expect from a free consultation with Toronto Therapy…
28 Dec 2023
Choosing a therapist
6 Goals to Keep in Mind When Working with a Therapist
Understanding how to find the right therapist is critical. And to find the right therapist, you need to know what goals you want to achieve with therapy.
5 Nov 2023
Choosing a therapist
Should I go to Therapy? 7 Common Reasons to See a Therapist
Issues like excessive worries, anger, or low mood are typical reasons to attend therapy. You can speak with a therapist about almost anything you want to talk about or reflect on.…
30 Oct 2023
If we are the right fit, the first call is free.
And if what you need is a hospital program, a psychologist or a psychiatrist, say so on the call and we will point you there instead of booking you. That is a better outcome for both of us.