A laptop open on a table in a calm, plant-filled home, ready for an online therapy session
Secure online therapy across Ontario

Support that meets you where you are.

Talk to a registered therapist from your own home, on your own schedule. Confidential video and phone counselling for people in Ottawa, the National Capital Region, and communities across Ontario — whether you're carrying anxiety you can no longer ignore, working through depression, navigating a relationship at a crossroads, or simply wanting a confidential space to think clearly. No referral is needed, and your first conversation is no cost and no obligation.

Book your intake assessment Call (613) 324-9141
Registered & accountableCare delivered by college-registered Ontario professionals.
Encrypted & confidentialSessions handled under Ontario's PHIPA privacy law.
Insurance-ready receiptsDetailed receipts issued for every session.
No-cost intakeYour first conversation is no cost, no obligation.
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About Virtual Counselling

Online care, done properly.

Virtual Counselling is an online mental-health practice serving Ontario residents through secure video and telephone sessions. The work we do is psychotherapy and counselling — assessment and treatment of emotional, cognitive, and behavioural concerns delivered through a therapeutic relationship, conducted entirely online. That focus is deliberate. Remote care is not a watered-down version of in-person therapy; done properly, it is a distinct discipline with its own demands around privacy, technology, presence, and pacing, and it is the only way we practise.

Research consistently finds that, for the most common reasons people seek help — anxiety, depression, stress, grief, and relationship strain — therapy delivered by video produces outcomes comparable to meeting in person. The setting changes; the clinical work does not. You still set goals with your therapist, explore what is keeping you stuck, and build practical tools you can use between sessions. What online delivery adds is access: people in rural townships, those without reliable transportation, parents who cannot leave the house easily, shift workers, and anyone who simply finds it easier to open up from a familiar space can all reach consistent, ongoing care.

Our experience is grounded in years of hands-on work across Ontario communities, and in a clear understanding of what makes remote therapy effective: a private space on both sides of the screen, a reliable connection, a therapeutic relationship built deliberately rather than assumed, and attention to the practical realities of clients' lives. We pair that experience with strict attention to the professional standards that govern psychotherapy in this province.

A note on scope. We do not provide crisis or emergency services, and we are not a substitute for urgent care. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, please call 911 or contact Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566. Online psychotherapy is for ongoing, planned support — and within that lane, it works.
Why Choose Us

Trust built on what we do every session

Trust in a therapist should rest on what they do on every session, not on slogans. Here is what we commit to with every client.

Online therapy is the only thing we do

We are not a general clinic that added video on the side. Virtual delivery is our entire practice, which means our intake process, our privacy setup, our session structure, and our technology are all built around getting remote care right — not retrofitted from an in-person model.

Registered, college-accountable professionals

Psychotherapy in Ontario is a regulated, controlled act. The care we provide is delivered by professionals who are registered with and accountable to the relevant Ontario regulatory college, meaning their conduct, record-keeping, and competence are overseen by a body whose mandate is protecting the public. You can verify any registered professional's standing directly through their college's public register.

Confidentiality handled to provincial standards

Sessions run over encrypted video or phone, and your personal health information is managed in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). We will also help you set up your side: a private room, a device that is not shared, and headphones make a meaningful difference to both privacy and the quality of the work.

Insurance-ready receipts on every session

OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy, but most extended-health and workplace benefit plans do — typically reimbursing sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker, often within an annual maximum of roughly $500 to $2,000. We issue a detailed receipt for every session, including the provider's registration number, so you can claim reimbursement. Psychotherapy fees you pay out of pocket are also eligible medical expenses on your CRA return.

A transparent, no-pressure start

Your first contact is an intake assessment at no cost and no obligation — a chance to describe what you are dealing with, ask questions, and find out whether we are a good fit before any commitment. We would rather you start with the right therapist than start quickly.

Care built around your real life

Evening and flexible scheduling, no commute, and no parking mean therapy fits around work, caregiving, and the rest of your week. For many people that is the difference between attending consistently — which is what actually drives results — and dropping off after a few sessions.

Our Services

Online counselling for the concerns Ontarians bring most

We offer focused, evidence-based support across the concerns Ontarians most often bring to therapy. Every service below is delivered online by video or phone, and every indicative range is benchmarked to published 2025–2026 Ontario-market pricing for registered providers. Your actual fee is always confirmed in writing before you begin. No referral is needed to start — you can book directly and choose a time that fits around work and family.

A person sitting calmly in a meditative pose at sunrise

Individual Therapy for Anxiety

Persistent worry, racing thoughts, panic, and social anxiety. Using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based techniques, we identify the patterns feeding anxiety and build practical tools for the moments that matter.

$150–$225 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
Soft green foliage representing calm and renewal

Depression & Low Mood

Support for low mood, loss of motivation, hopelessness, and the exhaustion that makes ordinary tasks feel heavy. Therapy provides structure, accountability, and evidence-based strategies, at a pace that respects how much energy you have.

$150–$225 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
Two hands forming a heart shape against a warm sunset

Couples & Relationship Therapy

A confidential space for two people to slow down conflict, repair communication, rebuild trust, or navigate a major transition together. Couples sessions are often longer and more complex than individual work.

$175–$275 per sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
Sunlight breaking through the canopy of a strong, deeply rooted tree

Trauma & EMDR-Informed Therapy

Support for processing difficult or overwhelming experiences, including approaches informed by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) where appropriate. Specialized trauma work typically sits at the higher end of the market range.

$175–$250 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
A figure reflected on calm water at sunset

Grief & Loss Counselling

A steady, compassionate space to move through bereavement, anticipatory grief, or the loss of a relationship, a role, or a future you had planned for. There is no timeline you are supposed to meet; the work is to carry it differently.

$150–$225 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
A journal with monthly goals beside a cup of coffee

Stress, Burnout & Life Transitions

Help with the strain of overwork, caregiving, career change, separation, relocation, or new parenthood. We focus on restoring the core habits — sleep, boundaries, self-talk — that everything else depends on.

$150–$200 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
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Teen & Young-Adult Counselling

A relatable, supportive space for adolescents and young adults to talk through school pressure, identity, friendships, and the emotional weight of growing up, arranged in a way that respects both the young person and the family.

$150–$200 per 50-minute sessionIndicative range · published Ontario-market pricing
A calm living-room couch in a comfortable home setting

Sliding-Scale & Supervised Sessions

Where capacity allows, a limited number of reduced-fee spots and sessions delivered by supervised, pre-registration clinicians are available so cost is less of a barrier to starting. Ask about current availability when you reach out.

$60–$120 per sessionSubject to availability · indicative range
Indicative Pricing

Clear numbers, before you commit

The ranges below are based on published 2025–2026 Ontario-market pricing for registered mental-health providers, so you can plan with realistic numbers in mind. They are indicative only and are not an offer to contract.

Most common

Individual Therapy

Anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and life transitions — delivered by secure video or phone in 50-minute sessions.

$150–$225 per 50-minute session

Couples & Relationship

$175–$275

per session

Trauma & EMDR-Informed

$175–$250

per 50-minute session

Stress & Life Transitions

$150–$200

per 50-minute session

Teen & Young-Adult

$150–$200

per 50-minute session

Sliding-Scale / Supervised

$60–$120

per session · subject to availability

Phone Sessions

Available

when video isn't practical

What moves the price. Several factors affect where a fee lands within these ranges: the provider's credentials and training, whether the session is individual or couples, session length, and how frequently you attend. Virtual sessions are commonly $10–$20 less than the in-person equivalent at the same practice. Your price is the number confirmed in your written fee agreement before sessions begin — not a figure on this page.

What these ranges exclude. Indicative ranges describe per-session therapy fees only. Applicable HST, any assessment or report-writing time beyond a standard session, and any third-party administrative fees are separate. OHIP does not reimburse private psychotherapy; coverage, where it exists, comes through extended-health or workplace benefit plans, and reimbursement amounts and eligibility are determined entirely by your insurer. Indicative pricing is not an offer to contract.

Who We Help

Common concerns we hear

People come to online therapy from very different starting points. These are some of the most common situations we support, each shaped by the realities of living and seeking care in Ontario.

“There are no therapists taking new clients near me.”

In smaller Ontario communities and rural townships around the National Capital Region, finding a local therapist with open spots can mean long waitlists or long drives. Online therapy removes geography — you can work with a registered Ontario professional wherever you live, as long as you are physically in the province during sessions.

“I can't fit appointments around work and childcare.”

For working parents and shift workers, the commute and the waiting room are often the dealbreaker, not the therapy itself. Removing travel and offering flexible and evening times makes consistent attendance realistic — and consistency is what makes therapy work.

“I'm worried therapy is too expensive.”

Because OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy, cost is a real concern. Many people, though, have extended-health or workplace benefits they have never used, and publicly funded options exist too — including the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program, which provides CBT for anxiety and depression at no charge through a referral.

“I don't want to be seen walking into a clinic.”

Stigma and privacy still keep people from seeking help. A confidential video session from your own home removes the visibility concern entirely, which for many clients is what finally makes reaching out possible.

“I tried therapy before and it didn't click.”

Fit between client and therapist is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy helps. A no-cost, no-obligation intake conversation exists precisely so you can test that fit before committing, rather than discovering a mismatch three appointments in.

“Is online therapy actually legitimate and regulated?”

Yes. Psychotherapy delivered to clients in Ontario is regulated whether it happens in a room or over video — Ontario's controlled act of psychotherapy applies to practitioners providing services to clients located in the province, including by video call. You can verify standing through the college's public register.

Choosing Wisely

What good online care looks like

You deserve to know what good online care looks like before you commit. This is the standard we hold ourselves to — and a set of questions worth asking any online therapist before you sign up.

The standard we work to

  • Care delivered by a professional registered with and accountable to an Ontario regulatory college.
  • Sessions on an encrypted, privacy-compliant platform, with information handled under PHIPA.
  • Fees and session structure confirmed in writing before ongoing work begins.
  • A detailed, insurance-ready receipt with registration information for every session.
  • A no-cost, no-obligation intake assessment so fit can be tested first.

Questions to ask any online therapist

  • Are you registered with an Ontario regulatory college, and can I verify that on the public register?
  • Are you registered to provide services to clients located in Ontario specifically? (International platforms are often not governed by Canadian regulators and rarely covered by Canadian insurance.)
  • What platform do you use, and how is my personal health information protected?
  • Will I receive a receipt with a registration number that my insurer will accept?
  • What are your fees in writing, what is the session length, and what happens if I cancel?
  • What should I do in a crisis, given that you do not provide emergency services?
How It Works

From first call to ongoing support

Starting therapy should feel manageable, not bureaucratic. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, and what we commit to at each stage.

01

Reach out

Call (613) 324-9141 or submit the contact form. We aim to respond within one business day to set up your intake conversation.

02

Intake assessment

A no-cost, no-obligation conversation by video or phone, where you describe what you're dealing with, ask questions, and we discuss what support would suit you. No pressure to book anything further.

03

Written fee agreement

We confirm your fee, session length, and structure in writing, and walk through your insurance coverage and reimbursement options before any ongoing work begins.

04

Set up your space

We help you prepare a private space, test the encrypted video link, and make sure the technology is sorted so your first full session is about you, not troubleshooting.

05

Ongoing sessions

You and your therapist set goals and meet on a schedule that fits your life — weekly or biweekly for most people — applying new tools and insights between sessions.

06

Receipts & review

A detailed receipt with registration information is issued for every session, and we revisit your goals periodically so the work stays directed and you can see your progress.

Service Areas

Online therapy across Ontario

Because care is delivered online, we support clients physically located anywhere in Ontario during their sessions. We are rooted in the National Capital Region and the Ottawa Valley, and regularly work with people in these communities, among many others.

Ottawa
Kanata
Nepean
Orléans
Barrhaven
Gloucester
Stittsville
Manotick
Vanier
Rockcliffe Park
The Glebe
Westboro
Riverside South
Greely
Cumberland
Carp
Richmond
Metcalfe
Osgoode
Kemptville
Carleton Place
Almonte
Arnprior
Smiths Falls
Perth
Brockville
Cornwall
Renfrew
Pembroke
Kingston
Belleville
Peterborough
Toronto
Mississauga
Hamilton
London
Kitchener–Waterloo
Sudbury
Thunder Bay
North Bay

If your community isn't listed and you're located in Ontario, you're still eligible — reach out at (613) 324-9141 and we'll arrange a session.

Local Guide

Understanding therapy in Ontario

Mental-health care in Ontario sits within a specific regulatory and funding landscape. Knowing how it works helps you make confident decisions about your own care.

Psychotherapy is a regulated, controlled act

Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), psychotherapy is one of Ontario's controlled acts. The Psychotherapy Act, 2007 established the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and the controlled act of psychotherapy was proclaimed into force on December 30, 2017. It applies to practitioners providing services to clients in Ontario, including by video call — so online therapy is held to the same regulatory standard as in-person care.

Who can legally provide psychotherapy

Registrants of several Ontario colleges are authorized to perform the controlled act, including the CRPO, the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and the College of Nurses of Ontario. The titles “psychotherapist,” “Registered Psychotherapist,” and “Registered Mental Health Therapist” are protected and restricted to authorized registrants.

No referral required, and receipts are tax-relevant

You do not need a referral to see a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker in Ontario; you can book directly. A referral is only needed for OHIP-covered services such as a psychiatrist. Keep your receipts: psychotherapy fees paid out of pocket are eligible medical expenses on your CRA return when the receipt shows the provider's registration information.

OHIP, coverage, and what you actually pay

OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy from Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, or psychologists. It does cover psychiatry when referred by a physician, though wait times are commonly six to twelve months. Most people fund private therapy through extended-health or workplace benefit plans, which frequently reimburse registered therapy up to an annual maximum of roughly $500 to $2,000.

Free and lower-cost provincial options

Ontario funds the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program, which provides cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression at no cost through a referral. Other publicly funded routes include hospital-based outpatient programs through a family doctor. These options often involve waitlists, which is one reason many people choose private online therapy for timely, consistent access.

Your information is protected by law

Psychotherapy practices in Ontario are subject to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), which governs how your personal health information is collected, used, stored, and secured. Registered providers also carry record-keeping and confidentiality obligations set by their college. Encrypted platforms and private settings are how those obligations are met remotely.

In Their Words

What clients say

These reflections capture the kinds of experiences people share after working with an online therapist.

“I'd put off therapy for years because I couldn't face sitting in a waiting room. Logging in from my own kitchen took all the pressure off. By the third session I'd stopped dreading it and started looking forward to it.”

— Client, Barrhaven

“Living over an hour from the nearest clinic, I never thought consistent therapy was realistic for me. Online sessions changed that completely — I haven't missed an appointment in months.”

— Client, Ottawa Valley

“My partner and I were skeptical that couples therapy could work over video. It absolutely did. Being in our own home actually made the hard conversations feel less clinical and more honest.”

— Couple, Kanata

“The intake call was exactly what I needed — no pressure, just a real conversation about whether it was the right fit. That alone made me trust the process.”

— Client, Nepean

“As a shift worker, evening sessions were the only thing that made therapy possible. Having that flexibility is the reason I'm still going.”

— Client, Orléans

“I appreciated getting a proper receipt every time so I could claim it through my work benefits. It made the cost far more manageable than I'd feared.”

— Client, Kemptville

“Grief had me completely shut down. Having someone steady to talk to each week, without having to leave the house, was the lifeline I didn't know I needed.”

— Client, Stittsville
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The practical details people most often want to know before getting started.

For the most common reasons people seek help — anxiety, depression, stress, grief, and relationship difficulties — research consistently finds video-based therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person sessions. The setting changes, but the clinical work, the goal-setting, and the therapeutic relationship remain the same.

Yes. Psychotherapy is a controlled act under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, and the controlled act applies to practitioners providing services to clients located in Ontario, including by video call. Online therapy is held to the same standard as in-person care, and you can verify a registered professional's standing on their college's public register.

No. You can book directly with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker in Ontario without a referral. A referral is only required for OHIP-covered services such as a psychiatrist. Call (613) 324-9141 or use the contact form to begin.

No. OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy from Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, or psychologists. Most people use extended-health or workplace benefit plans, which often reimburse registered therapy up to an annual maximum of roughly $500 to $2,000. We issue an insurance-ready receipt for every session.

Indicative ranges based on published 2025–2026 Ontario-market pricing are $150–$225 for individual therapy and $175–$275 for couples sessions, with specialized trauma work often at the higher end and supervised-practice sessions as low as $60–$120. These are indicative only; your actual fee is confirmed in writing before sessions begin and is not an offer to contract.

Yes. The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program provides cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression at no cost through a referral, and hospital-based programs are accessible through a family doctor. Where our capacity allows, we also offer a limited number of sliding-scale and supervised-practice spots. Ask about current availability when you reach out.

Yes. Sessions run on an encrypted platform and your personal health information is handled in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). We also help you set up a private space on your end, since confidentiality depends on both sides of the connection.

A private space, a device with a camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection. Headphones improve both privacy and sound quality. We will test the link with you before your first full session so the technology is sorted in advance.

Yes. While video supports a stronger therapeutic connection because your therapist can pick up on non-verbal cues, phone sessions are available and can be a good option when video isn't practical. We can discuss what works best for you at intake.

Yes. We provide couples and relationship therapy online. Many couples find that being in their own space makes difficult conversations feel more natural. Couples sessions are often longer than individual sessions, which is reflected in the indicative range of $175–$275 per session.

We do not provide crisis or emergency services and cannot support active emergencies. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566. Online psychotherapy is for ongoing, planned support.

Most people meet weekly or biweekly, especially at the start. Your therapist will recommend a frequency based on your goals and circumstances, and you can adjust it over time. Consistency tends to matter more than intensity for lasting results.

Yes. Psychotherapy fees you pay out of pocket are eligible medical expenses on your CRA return, provided your receipt shows the provider's registration information. We include that information on every receipt we issue.

All three can provide therapy in Ontario, but they register with different colleges and have different training. Registered Psychotherapists focus on relational and emotional work; Registered Social Workers often combine therapy with broader support; psychologists are trained in assessment and diagnosis and typically charge more. The right credential depends on your goals, not just your budget.

Call (613) 324-9141 or submit the contact form. We aim to respond within one business day to arrange your no-cost, no-obligation intake assessment, where we'll discuss your situation and whether we're a good fit.

Take the First Step

Reaching out is the part that changes everything

You don't have to have it all figured out, and you don't have to commit to anything to begin. A single conversation is enough to find out whether online therapy is right for you.

(613) 324-9141
Response timeWe aim to respond within one business day to arrange your intake.
Your first sessionA no-cost, no-obligation intake assessment by video or phone.
Where we workOnline across Ontario, rooted in Ottawa & the National Capital Region.
In a crisis?We don't provide emergency care. Call 911 or Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566.
Call Now Book Intake