Frequently Asked Questions

Mantra Psychotherapy is a virtual clinic, based in Toronto, Ontario. Our sessions are typically done over video call, but phone sessions can be done at the client's request.

To learn more about each of our therapy modalities, you can visit our Areas of Focus page. If you are unsure which modality/approach is best suited for you, you can also fill out our Therapist Matching Form and our clinical lead will match you with a therapist whose focus is best suited to your needs.

Directories like Psychology Today list therapists — they don't provide therapy. When you book through Mantra Psychotherapy, you're working with a clinic that has a clinical lead, a vetted team, and a consistent standard of care. We also offer therapist matching, which means you're not left scrolling through profiles trying to figure out who might be a good fit. If a match isn't working, we help you find someone else within the team rather than starting from scratch.

Large therapy platforms prioritize broad access and volume — they connect you with a therapist quickly, but clinical oversight and therapist specialization are often limited. At Mantra Psychotherapy, every therapist is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), which means they meet a regulated professional standard. Our therapists also specialize in specific areas — LGBTQ2IA+ affirming care, trauma, anxiety, neurodivergence — rather than working as generalists. Each therapist has their own areas of focus, which can be found on their profile/bio page. 

It depends on what you're working on and what your goals are. Some people find meaningful relief within 8 to 12 sessions when working on a specific presenting concern. Others benefit from longer-term work, particularly when exploring patterns that have been present for a long time or working through complex trauma. Your therapist will check in with you regularly about how things are progressing and adjust the approach accordingly. There's no fixed timeline — the pace is yours.

Progress in therapy doesn't always look the way people expect. It's often less about dramatic breakthroughs and more about gradual shifts — noticing patterns earlier, responding differently in situations that used to feel automatic, feeling more grounded in daily life. Your therapist will work with you to establish goals early on and revisit them periodically so you have a clear sense of how things are moving. If something isn't working, naming that is part of the process.

Yes. Fit matters, and not every pairing works — that's not a failure on anyone's part. If you don't feel like your current therapist is the right match, let us know and we'll help you connect with someone else on the team. You won't need to re-explain your situation from the beginning — we'll handle the transition.

In Ontario, these are three distinct regulated professions. A psychotherapist (often an RP or RSW) provides talk therapy and is regulated by the CRPO. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree and can provide therapy and psychological assessment. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and typically focuses on diagnosis and medication management. At Mantra Psychotherapy, our team consists of registered psychotherapists and registered social workers — we provide therapy, not medication or psychological assessment.

General practices often work across a wide range of presenting concerns with no particular area of depth. Mantra Psychotherapy is a specialized clinic — our therapists focus on specific areas including LGBTQ2IA+ affirming care, trauma, anxiety, neurodivergence, emotion regulation, self-esteem, and couples work. That focus means the person you're matched with has genuine clinical depth in what you're bringing to therapy, not a broad familiarity with it. We also offer therapist matching, and the ability to transition within the team if your needs change — without starting the process over from scratch.

For individual (1 on 1) therapy sessions, our fees range from $130 to $175 per 50-minute session. For couples/partners therapy sessions, our fees range from $210 to $250 per 75-minute session.

Our sessions are typically done over video call, but phone sessions can be done at the client's request. We do not offer in-person services at this time.

We use Jane App for all of our virtual therapy sessions. Jane App is a secure telehealth platform that is healthcare (PHIPA) compliant.

In your first session, your therapist will spend time getting to know you and your history. They will ask questions about your presenting issue(s) and explore your goals and how they can support you in reaching these goals.

Most often, yes. Since our all of our therapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), their services are usually covered by extended health insurance plans. However, we always advise you to check your specific plan to ensure that the therapist you choose to work with is covered.

Some of our therapists can offer direct billing to certain insurance providers. However, most therapists collect payment via e-transfer or credit card, and a receipt is given for you to submit to your insurance provider.

Sliding scale rates can be discussed the therapist during your free 15-minute consultation. Each therapist's sliding scale fee range is different, and sliding scale fees are based on the client's financial need. Please note that therapists typically have a fixed number of sliding scale slots.