The Complete Guide to Mental Health Services and Therapy Options in Ontario
Emergency and Crisis Support in Ontario
At NuHu Therapy, we offer talk therapy, not crisis support. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
But if the situation is urgent and mental health related, there are trusted services available 24/7 to help you or a loved one stabilize, find resources, or talk to someone right away.
📞 Crisis Lines and Immediate Mental Health Support
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or Text 988 — Available 24/7
Confidential crisis support across Canada.
ConnexOntario
Call 1-866-531-2600 or Live Chat — Available 24/7
Support for gambling, alcohol, drug, or mental health concerns.
Telehealth Ontario
Call 811 or Live Chat — Available 24/7
Speak to a registered nurse for non-emergency health guidance.
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868 — Available 24/7
Support for youth of all ages, anywhere in Canada.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Call 1-866-863-0511 — Available 24/7
Support for women experiencing abuse or violence.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Call 1-855-242-3310 or Live Chat — Available 24/7
Mental health support for Indigenous people across Canada.
LGBT Youthline
Text 647-694-4275 or Live Chat
Available Sunday to Friday, 4:00–9:30PM EST
Peer support for LGBTQ2S+ youth in Ontario.
BounceBack Ontario
Free Guided Self-Help program
Designed for managing mild to moderate depression, low mood, and anxiety. Referral not required.
Accessing Therapy and Mental Health Services in Ontario
If you’re seeking longer-term support to explore your experiences, emotions, or patterns, talk therapy (also called psychotherapy) can be a powerful tool for healing.
At NuHu Therapy, we specialize in virtual therapy sessions for clients across Ontario. Here’s a breakdown of how therapy access works in this province, what to expect, and how to navigate coverage and credentials.
What Is Talk Therapy or Psychotherapy?
Talk therapy is a structured process that helps you manage emotions, explore your thoughts, and work through difficult life experiences with the help of a trained therapist. You and your therapist work together to:
Build self-awareness
Change unhelpful patterns
Develop new coping strategies
Improve emotional well-being
It’s more than just talking — it’s a guided collaboration that promotes insight, clarity, and real change over time.
Do You Need a Doctor’s Referral for Therapy?
No. In Ontario, you do not need a referral to book a therapy session with:
A Registered Psychotherapist
A Registered Social Worker
Or a counsellor in private practice
You can book directly with us at NuHu Therapy, whether it’s your first time or you’re returning to therapy after a break.
Is Therapy Covered by OHIP?
Not always. Here’s how it works:
OHIP does not cover therapy in private practice, even if your therapist is fully licensed.
However, many insurance plans do cover sessions with a:
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
RP (Qualifying)
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
OHIP does cover therapy if:
It’s provided through a psychiatrist, or
It’s offered in a publicly funded setting (e.g., hospital, community mental health clinic)
Types of Mental Health Professionals in Ontario
Registered Psychotherapists
Provide talk therapy using structured, evidence-based techniques. Must be registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Social Workers
Often hold a Master of Social Work (MSW). Offer counselling, support, and advocacy. Registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Psychologists
Have a PhD in psychology. Can assess and diagnose mental disorders and offer psychotherapy. Cannot prescribe medication.
Counsellors
May not be regulated. Offer supportive conversations and guidance. Training varies, so check credentials before booking.
Family Doctors & Nurse Practitioners
Can prescribe medication and offer short-term mental health support. Covered by OHIP.
Psychiatrists
Medical doctors specializing in mental health. Can diagnose and prescribe. Often focus on medication management over talk therapy. Covered by OHIP.
Therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Book a free consultation call today.
Types of Therapy We Offer at NuHu Therapy
At NuHu Therapy, we specialize in talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. This means meeting regularly with a trained professional to explore your emotions, behaviours, and life experiences in a safe and non-judgmental space. Our goal is to help you feel better, think more clearly, and build healthier patterns over time.
While every client is different, here are a few of the evidence-based therapy approaches we draw from:
🧩 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you notice and change negative patterns in how you think, feel, and behave. It’s especially helpful for depression, anxiety, and stress-related issues.
🧘 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines mindfulness practices with emotion regulation and communication skills. It’s often used to support individuals struggling with intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or self-harm patterns.
🤝 Person-Centered Therapy
This approach focuses on empathy, acceptance, and creating a space where you feel fully seen and supported. You set the pace, and your therapist helps you move forward from where you are.
🧠 Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present moment and respond more calmly to stress or intrusive thoughts. This therapy approach can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and enhance emotional clarity.
Learn more about Body Scans Meditations.
Insurance Coverage for Therapy in Ontario
While therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist is not covered by OHIP, many extended health insurance plans do cover it. This includes plans provided through employers, universities, or personal insurance policies.
Our services are often covered if your plan includes:
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
RP (Qualifying)
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
We don’t bill insurance directly, but we’ll provide a receipt after each session that you can submit for reimbursement. Not sure what your plan covers? It’s worth calling your provider to check.
Visit our FAQ page for more insurance and cost information.
Why Clients Choose NuHu Therapy
We know how hard it can be to find a therapist who actually feels like a good fit. That’s why we’ve designed NuHu to be as simple, flexible, and supportive as possible.
🧑⚕️ Registered, Compassionate Therapists
All our therapists are trained, regulated professionals. We specialize in creating safe, supportive spaces where you can feel heard — and where real growth can happen.
🖥️ 100% Virtual Therapy, Available Across Ontario
Whether you’re in Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, or a rural town in Ontario, you can access our services online. All sessions are held securely via video, making therapy more accessible and private than ever before.
Learn more about our virtual therapy services in Ontario.
🔐 Confidential and Secure
We follow strict confidentiality guidelines to protect your privacy. Your sessions are never recorded or shared. You control what you share and when.
🎯 Tailored to You
No two clients are the same, and neither are our sessions. We personalize your therapy plan based on your needs, goals, and comfort level — whether that means learning emotional tools or exploring deeper patterns.
🧠 A Holistic Lens
We look at the whole person — not just the symptom. Therapy at NuHu considers how your mind, body, relationships, and past experiences shape who you are today.
We Offer Support For:
Addiction recovery (alcohol, marijuana, pornography, substances)
Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
Chronic pain or illness
Racial identity, cultural stress, and intergenerational trauma
Emotional regulation, boundaries, and communication
Creative blocks, identity work, and self-worth
Ready to Begin? Book Your Free 20-Minute Consultation
Therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating. At NuHu, we start with a simple conversation. No pressure. Just a space to ask questions, talk about what’s going on, and see if we’re the right fit. Click below to schedule a free 20-minute virtual consultation with one of our therapists.