Psychotherapy in Ottawa
What psychotherapy actually is, who is qualified to provide it, and how to tell whether it is the right fit for you.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationWhat psychotherapy actually is, who is qualified to provide it, and how to tell whether it is the right fit for you.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationEvery clinician is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
We want therapy to be financially accessible for everyone. Reduced rates are available case-by-case based on need and availability.
We submit directly to most major insurers, so you don't pay out of pocket upfront.
Our office is in Ottawa. All client records are stored in Canada and handled under PIPEDA and PHIPA.
Therapy is a space to slow down and look at what's underneath. These are some of the patterns people bring into the room.
FOR WHEN SOMETHING FEELS OFF
RP, RSW, CCC, PhD. It is hard to tell from the outside which of these matters for what you need, or which ones your benefits plan will actually reimburse.
Psychotherapy is a controlled act in Ontario. Knowing your therapist is registered with a college, and being able to verify it yourself, is a fair thing to want before you book.
You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to justify psychotherapy. Wanting something to feel different is a common and reasonable starting point.
Psychotherapy is a regulated health service in Ontario. At Auren Wellness it is provided by Registered Psychotherapists, who are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and by Registered Social Workers, who are regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Both are qualified to provide psychotherapy, and you can look up any of our therapists on their college's public register. We link to those registers directly from each profile.
In practice, psychotherapy means structured conversation with a trained professional, usually 50 minutes at a time, aimed at understanding patterns and building ways to work with them. Our therapists draw on evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and emotion-focused therapy, chosen around what you bring rather than applied as a fixed protocol.
Sessions are available in person at our Centrepointe office in Ottawa and by secure video anywhere in Ontario. If you are still weighing your options, the free 15-minute consult is a conversation, not a commitment.
Email, phone, or fill out our booking form. There's no script and no pressure. You can share as much or as little as you want.
A real person, not a bot, will reply as soon as we can with a few options for a free 15-minute consultation.
We listen. You ask questions. No paperwork, no obligation. If we're not the right match, we'll point you toward someone who might be.
Direct billing where possible. Evening and weekend availability. Virtual or in-person in Ottawa.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Rates vary by therapist and are confirmed during your free consultation. We accept e-transfer and credit cards, and direct-bill most insurers.
Sliding-scale spots are available based on need. Ask during your free consultation.
Same 50-minute format, structured for two participants and shared concerns.
Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker services are covered by most extended health plans in Canada. We recommend confirming your specific coverage before your first paid session. Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and most major insurers include coverage.
We direct-bill where your insurer allows it. Otherwise, you pay at the time of session and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Every session generates a receipt listing the provider's license number, suitable for insurance reimbursement.
In-person sessions are held at our Ottawa office. Virtual sessions use a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. You can switch between the two.
We ask for 24 hours notice on cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee.
After the free 15-minute consultation, your first paid session is intake-focused. Bring questions, anything you have already tried, and any goals you have in mind.
QUESTIONS
Psychotherapy is a structured conversation with a trained professional, aimed at understanding what you are experiencing and finding ways to work with it. It is not advice-giving. Most of the work involves making sense of patterns in how you think, feel, and relate, and building approaches that fit your situation.
In everyday use the two words overlap heavily, and many practitioners use them interchangeably. Counselling is sometimes used to describe shorter, more focused work on a current problem, while psychotherapy may suggest longer-term work on deeper patterns. In Ontario, what matters more than the label is the practitioner's registration and training.
Yes. Psychotherapy is a controlled act in Ontario, which means only qualified and registered professionals may provide it. Registered Psychotherapists are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and Registered Social Workers by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Both colleges maintain public registers you can search.
Registered Psychotherapists train specifically in psychotherapy. Registered Social Workers train more broadly in social work, which often includes psychotherapy along with systems and community context. Both are qualified to provide psychotherapy in Ontario. Which one suits you usually comes down to the individual therapist rather than the designation.
No referral is needed to book with us. You can reach out directly and start with a free 15-minute consult. Some extended health plans ask for specific documentation for reimbursement, so it is worth checking your own plan's requirements.
Psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP, but many extended health benefit plans include coverage for services provided by Registered Psychotherapists or Registered Social Workers. Plans differ in which designations they reimburse, so checking yours before you book is worthwhile. We can direct bill where your plan allows it.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Some people find a longer or shorter format works better for them, and that is something you can discuss with your therapist.
There is no set number, and anyone who promises one is guessing. Some people come for a handful of sessions focused on a specific concern. Others work over a longer period. Your therapist will revisit this with you as you go rather than deciding it upfront.
Sessions are confidential, with specific limits set out in Ontario law and by the regulatory colleges. These include situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and court orders. Your therapist will explain these limits at the start so you know where you stand.
You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to justify starting. Many people come because something has been quietly difficult for a while. A free 15-minute consult is a low-commitment way to talk it through with a person and get a sense of whether it fits.
Therapy is a longer-term relationship. If you're in acute distress, please reach the services below first. They are free, confidential, and available right now.
