Types of Therapy

Narrative Therapy in Toronto & Ontario

Person writing a journal entry as part of homework from Narrative Therapy Psychotherapy at Mantra Psychotherapy

Narrative Therapy emphasizes the importance of our internal "story" about our lives. This method helps individuals externalize their problems from their identity. By reinterpreting their story in an externalized way, clients often have the opportunity to discover and align with their strengths and values. This process empowers clients to envision a future whereby they hold more autonomy and agency.

Care led by Nick Fink, MA, RP (Founder & Director)

Why Choose Us

Woman attending a virtual counselling session in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Online Appointments

Therapist Matching Available

Evening & Weekend Availability

Covered By Insurance

How Our Stories Shape Our Identity

We are all authors of our own stories. Throughout our lives, our personal experiences become our own personal stories that we tell about ourselves and our life journeys. The meanings we give to such narratives make up our identity and our understanding of ourselves. Within the narrative therapy approach, the power and influence of these stories we tell about ourselves are explored, with the client as the narrator or expert of their own life narrative.

When Stories Become Problem-Saturated

Often, such stories have the potential to become "problem-saturated," or don't account for all other possibilities beyond the problematic one. For example, someone struggling with depression may take on the identity of a "depressed individual" and doesn't account for instances in their life narrative that provides evidence to the contrary. They live life according to this problem-saturated plot. Furthermore, the substantive role these problems take in the narrative can lead them to become internalized by the individual — that is, they are viewed as being an innate, inseparable part of the themselves.

Re-Authoring Your Story With Narrative Therapy at Mantra Psychotherapy — Virtual Across Toronto & Ontario

Narrative therapy seeks to separate such problems from the individual, tasking them with exploring and re-writing their life stories. Additionally, narrative therapy views the client as the expert, capable of utilizing their own skills to minimize the problems that they are facing in their lives. As a proponent of narrative therapy, Your therapist would work as a non-directive collaborator, refraining from imposing their own judgments and remaining curious towards clients as they deconstruct problem stories, challenge negative perceptions of self, and re-author preferred stories with agency.

At Mantra Psychotherapy, narrative therapy is integrated into a broader, client-centred approach to care. All sessions are conducted virtually through Jane App, a secure PHIPA-compliant telehealth platform, making narrative therapy accessible to individuals across Toronto, the GTA, and all of Ontario. Getting started begins with a free 15-minute consultation — and if you're not sure which therapist or approach best suits your needs, our Therapist Matching Form can help point you in the right direction. If you're looking for a narrative therapist in Toronto or anywhere across Ontario, we'd love to connect. You can view all of our therapists by visiting our team page.

Nick Fink, MA, Registered Psychotherapist

Clinical Director: Nick Fink, RP

Nick Fink, RP is the founder and director of Mantra Psychotherapy. He has been practicing as a Registered Psychotherapist for five years and has supported hundreds of clients across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.

Nick Fink is the founder and director of Mantra Psychotherapy. He has been practicing as a psychotherapist for over four years and has supported hundreds of clients across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.

The People Behind Your Care

Our team is comprised of experienced therapists who are prepared to support a range of concerns and challenges.

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

How it works

What to Expect When Starting Therapy

We believe the therapeutic journey should feel as comfortable as possible — here's what that looks like.

Final Session — Closing the Chapter

Endings in therapy are treated with the same care as everything else. Your last session is an opportunity to reflect on how far you've come, celebrate your growth, and make sure you feel equipped to carry what you've learned forward. The aim of the final session is to be a thoughtful, intentional close that honours the work you've done.

Sessions 3 & Beyond — Doing the Work

This is where the real momentum begins. With a strong therapeutic relationship in place, you and your therapist will start working more deeply — exploring patterns, building skills, and working toward the goals you've set together. Every person's journey looks different here, and your therapist will continuously adapt the approach to meet your evolving needs. Progress isn't always linear, and that's okay — this space is designed to hold all of it.

Sessions 1 & 2 — Getting to Know You

Your first sessions are all about building a foundation. Your therapist will take time to understand your history, your goals, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. You won't be pushed to dive into anything before you're ready. These sessions are about establishing trust, setting the tone, and making sure the direction of your work together feels right for you.

Your Initial Consultation — Free 15 Minute Call

This is a no-pressure conversation where you and the therapist get to know each other. You'll have the chance to share a little about what's bringing you to therapy, ask questions, and get a feel for whether you might be a good fit. There's no expectation to share everything — this is simply about making sure you feel comfortable before you begin.

Our Areas of Focus

Depression

Perfectionism & Burnout

People-Pleasing & Boundaries

Affirming Therapy for Gay Men

Emotion Regulation

Neurodivergence

Trauma

Self-Esteem

Anxiety

LGBTQ2IA-Specific Issues

Not sure where to start?

Book a Free Consultation Therapist Matching Form

Send Us a Message

Our team is dedicated to providing you with timely and thorough responses to ensure your experience with us is as smooth and supportive as possible.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to frequently asked questions below.

How is narrative therapy different from other types of therapy?

One of the most distinctive things about narrative therapy is its relationship to the problem itself. Rather than treating a problem as something inside you — a flaw, a disorder, or a fixed part of who you are — narrative therapy separates the problem from your identity entirely. You are not a depressed person; you are a person who has a relationship with depression, and that relationship can change. Your therapist works as a curious, non-directive collaborator rather than an expert telling you what your story means — you remain the author and the expert of your own life throughout the process.

What does "re-authoring your story" actually mean in practice?

It means looking carefully at the story you've been telling about yourself — where it came from, whose voices shaped it, what it leaves out — and finding the evidence that contradicts the problem-saturated version. Most people who struggle with low self-worth, depression, or a sense of being fundamentally flawed have a life narrative full of moments that don't fit that story. Narrative therapy helps you find those moments, take them seriously, and gradually build an alternative story that is truer to the full range of who you are.

Is narrative therapy a good fit for LGBTQ2IA+ people or those with complex identity experiences?

Narrative therapy is particularly well-suited to anyone whose sense of self has been shaped by external narratives they didn't choose — which describes the experience of many LGBTQ2IA+ people directly. Growing up receiving messages from family, culture, religion, or society about who you are and who you should be is exactly the kind of problem-saturated story narrative therapy was designed to work with. The approach's emphasis on separating identity from problem, honouring the client as the expert of their own experience, and re-authoring preferred stories with agency makes it a genuinely affirming fit for queer, trans, and gender non-conforming clients navigating identity, community, and self-worth.

Where do I start if I want to try narrative therapy in Toronto or Ontario?

The easiest way is to book a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our registered therapists. We offer narrative therapy virtually across Toronto, the GTA, and all of Ontario through Jane App, a secure PHIPA-compliant telehealth platform.

Where is Mantra Psychotherapy located?

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.

How much does a typical therapy session cost?

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.

How are sessions conducted?

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.

What platform do you use for sessions?

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

What should I expect in my first therapy session?

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.

Are your services covered by insurance?

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.

Do you offer direct billing to insurance?

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.

Do your therapists offer a reduced rate (e.g., sliding scale)?

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.