Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
Do I Qualify To Use These Services?
If you feel you would benefit from the services of a mental health professional but are not in a financial position to pay standard fees, then you are exactly who this site was made for!
Helpful Tip: When reaching out to a therapist, let them know you found them through the Affordable Therapy Network – it’s an easy, natural way to start the conversation about lower cost rates.
What Is The Rate For Sessions?
Every therapist on the site operates independently and sets their own rates, so fees look a little different for everyone. To make things easier, most practitioners list their fees directly on their profiles so you can more easily find a fit for your budget.
What Are Low-Cost Rates?
Some therapists offer a fee that is well below industry standards to support clients facing significant financial difficulty.
The Affordable Therapy Network suggests a low-cost rate of $65 or less and many listed therapists offer a limited number of spots at this rate. You may sometimes find Intern therapists who offer pro-bono (no-cost) therapy, pay-what-you-can options, or spots starting as low as $25/session.
Please note that some therapists place guidelines on their low-cost rates, such as a limit on the number of sessions offered at this fee. Please talk with them directly about their policy.
What Is A Sliding Scale?
A sliding scale is usually for those who don’t need a low-cost rate, but who find standard rates out of reach. Your specific rate will be a conversation between you and your therapist based on your unique financial situation.
As a rough guideline, sliding scale rates often range anywhere between 60% and 90% of a therapist’s regular rate.
How Do I Know Which Practitioner to Choose?
For tips on some things to consider, read our blog post here.
Once you’ve narrowed it down, the best way to find out if a practitioner is a good fit is to book a consultation and see how it feels. You can even do more than one consultation to get a sense of your options, and you are always welcome to change practitioners at any time.
Remember that every therapist brings their own unique style, background, and approach. The site lists a range of practitioners, from student therapists to those with years of experience. You’ll want to ask them about their training and review their credentials to help ensure they are the right fit for you (you can read more about credentials further down).
Who Do I Contact?
Once you find a therapist who seems like a good fit, reach out to them directly using the contact info on their profile to set up a consultation.
Most practitioners list an email and phone number, and the majority also include a link to their website so you can learn more about their style of support before reaching out.
What If I Have An Issue With The Person I'm Working With?
You are always free to discontinue working with a therapist or to find a new practitioner if the person you are working with does not meet your expectations. Due to the diverse needs of clients and the different training backgrounds practitioners have, this is a normal and common occurrence.
If an issue arises, you can either address your practitioner directly or seek assistance from the governing body they belong to. If your practitioner does not belong to a regulatory body or association, you will need to address your concerns with them directly.
The practitioners listed on the site work completely independently. As a directory resource, we don’t employ, manage, or supervise their practice in any way, so we are unable to offer guidance beyond suggesting that you reach out to the practitioner’s regulatory or supervisory body, or address them directly to resolve your concerns.
*While concerns do need to be addressed directly with your therapist or their regulatory body, if there is something you think we should know about, you are welcome to email us: admin@affordabletherapynetwork.com
Understanding Credentials
The regulatory landscape in Canada is evolving, and each province sets its own standards. The definitions below are provided as informational guidelines and may shift as regulations change.
Click here to learn more about the landscape of regulation across canada.
In the directory, you will find three general categories:
1. Registered Practitioners
2. Pre-Licensed Practioners
3. Certified Practitioners
If a practitioner is Certified but not part of a Regulatory College, it may mean that they either (a) work in a province that does not regulate Counselling/Psychotherapy and therefore hold certification through a Professional Association (such as the CCPA), or (b) are certified in specific counselling modalities and work outside a regulated scope of practice. In some cases, it may be a combination of the two.
More About Credentials - Definitions
Here is some clarification around some of the designations you will see on the site.
As you will see below, credentials can be a bit confusing and aren’t always the best measure of whether a therapist/practitioner will be a good fit for you. Please talk to them about their style, approach, and experience to make this determination.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), or RP (Qualifying)
When a student has completed at least 90% of their coursework (academic, classroom portion) they can become registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). These newly registered members gain the RP (Qualifying) status. In some cases, but not all, this is before beginning their work with clients.
The experience level of therapists in the RP (Qualifying) category can vary greatly (anywhere from 0 – 450+ hours of direct work with clients). Always ask your therapist about their experience to ensure a good fit.
Therapists who hold the RP (Qualifying) status are regulated by the CRPO, licensed to perform the “controlled act of psychotherapy”(we go over what this is further down), and practice under supervision. After they complete 450 hours of supervised practice, they can then apply to become a full RP (Registered Psychotherapist).
Registered Psychotherapist, or RP
MSW, BSW, RSW
RSSW
Intern Therapist / Student Therapist
The interns and students listed on the site come from a wide variety of educational institutions across Canada. Some schools require a formal internship, while others have their students practice independently or through their school clinic (under supervision) once they have completed a significant portion of their training.
This list is a work in progress and there are other designations you will see across the site. Please feel free to ask your practitioner about their credentials and they will be happy to elaborate.
*Note – The landscape of regulation in Canada is evolving, and each province has its own regulatory standards that are subject to change. As new regulatory bodies and standards emerge and shift, so might these definitions. As such, we encourage you to ask your practitioner directly and conduct your own research to confirm current provincial requirements.
Do You Verify Credentials?
* In all cases, it is your responsibility to personally review and verify your practitioner’s credentials. If you have any questions about a therapist’s background, please don’t hesitate to ask them directly for clarification. For therapists who belong to a regulatory body or professional association, you can also reach out to their governing organization or check their public online registry.
A) Regulated Practitioners
Before listing on the site, all Licensed (Regulated) Practitioners must provide proof of certification/membership with a Regulatory College. We review their certificate of registration and/or verify their name and registration number on their College’s public registry.
To confirm that a listed practitioners credentials are valid and up to date, you should check the registry of their Regulatory College. These registries are made publicly available and can be checked by anyone at any time.
B) Student Therapists, Intern Therapists (Pre-Licensed/Registered)
Before listing a student or intern on the site, we review the name and registration number of their supervisor (supervisor must be registered). We also review the name of their educational institution to ensure that it’s accredited and require proof that they are either a member of a regulatory body and/or that they hold insurance (certificates are reviewed).
To confirm that your student or intern therapist is under active supervision, you can ask them for the name/contact of their supervisor and reach out to the supervisor directly.
If a student or intern therapist belongs to a Regulatory College, you should check the public registry of their College to confirm that their credentials are up to date and valid.
* Please note that a therapist might still be in training AND be a Licensed Practitioner. There are varying levels of licensing which is why it’s always important to ask your practitioner about their experience to ensure it meets your needs.
C) Counsellors & Other Practitioners (Pre-Licensed/Certified)
Our listed Counsellors and Practitioners (pre-licensed/certified) are not regulated, but hold degrees, diplomas, or certifications in their area of practice. They may either work in a province that does not regulate counselling/psychotherapy, or practice a specialized modality that is not regulated.
Before listing a Non-Regulated Practitioner, we review any certifications, diplomas, or degrees relevant to their area of practice and ensure they are substantial and from accredited institutions. They also need to provide proof of insurance.
To confirm that your Counsellor or Practitioner has valid and up to date credentials, you can request that they show you their certificates, degrees, diplomas, or any other documents you deem relevant.
What Is The "Controlled Act of Psychotherapy"?
Psychotherapy & The Controlled Act
The “controlled act of psychotherapy” is defined as follows:
“Treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning.” (https://crpo.ca/apply-to-crpo/controlled-act-of-psychotherapy/)“
The “controlled act” (applicable in Ontario) can only be performed by someone who is registered with one of six regulatory colleges. Further, only members of these colleges are legally allowed to call themselves “Psychotherapist”.
There are several forms of therapy that are not controlled, but the “controlled act” itself can be performed by members of following Colleges:
College of Nurses of Ontario, College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, College of Psychologists of Ontario, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Coaching, Counselling, & Other Forms Of Support
Not all forms of therapy and counselling fall under Ontario’s “controlled act”. Many Counsellors, Coaches, Holistic Practitioners, among others, legally practice a form of care that does not fall into this category. These practitioners either do not utilize psychotherapy techniques in their work (they may instead use coaching, counselling, or other specialized skills), or they do not work with clients considered to have a serious disorder that may seriously impair their day to day functioning.
From the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario:
“Some psychotherapy tools and techniques are in the public domain, meaning anyone can provide them”. (https://www.crpo.ca/concerns-about-unregulated-individuals/)
If you are concerned about a practitioner you believe to be working outside their scope of practice, you can contact the CRPO for support.