At Hopewoods, we understand not everyone can afford private practice mental healthcare. We believe that everyone deserves access to mental health services, especially when they really need it, no matter their financial situation, race, gender, or background.
Even if you’re on a budget, or you’re seeking affordable counselling options for mental health assistance, you are not alone. You are getting the help you need, regardless of how you are getting it. That’s what matters.
Here are Resources for Therapy on a Budget
Family Service Toronto (FST) provides services available to everyone who lives or works in Toronto. (416)-595-9618.
Their services involve:
- Walk-in counselling
- Counselling
- David Kelley Services (HIV/AIDS Community, Counselling, Lesbian and Gay Community Counselling)
- LGBT Parenting Network
- Families in Transition (FIT)
- Growing Up Healthy Downtown (GUHD)
- Seniors and Caregivers Support Services
- Violence Against Women (VAW)
Staff can provide services in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Farsi, and Tagalog.
Fees are charged on a sliding scale based on your household income, designed to be accessible for all income varieties for anyone living or working in Toronto. Since they are a nonprofit social service agency, fees are required to supplement the funding they receive for these services.
Woodgreen, one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, offers various services and programs alongside their walk-in clinic for free. Due to Covid, their in-person sessions are on pause, however, they’re still running their walk-in as virtual services, with phone or video sessions available.
You can reach them at cccentralintake(@)woodgreen.org or (4160-572-3575).
Online and Chat Access to Therapy
For those who are comfortable with technology and/or have trouble leaving the house due to anxiety and/or transportation issues, here are some therapy options for you, and completely free of charge.
LGBT Youthline Ontario is an Ontario-wide peer-support through text and live chat with peer support volunteers, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, and questioning young people 29 years of age and under. Text (647)-694-4275 or call 1-800-268-9688.
Good2Talk Helpline provides post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia confidential support services including, talking to a professional counsellor, texting with a volunteer crisis responder, getting virtual support via their Facebook Messenger, and search for campus and community services. You can also learn more about what they offer for mental health in Mandarin. 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
BounceBack® is a free CBT program, managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), offering guided mental health self-help support to ages 15 and older. 1-866-345-0224.
Below are two iCBTs or Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. These are practical, short-term programs delivered online helping people develop skills and strategies to address their symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.
AbilitiCBT is an iCBT program accessible from any device, any time, free to anyone in Canada. It is basically a virtual form of CBT therapy, with a user-friendly platform making it convenient to access it when and where you need it.
MindBeacon is a therapist guided program, 100% covered by the Government of Ontario to support Ontario residents through stress and mental well-being concerns during the pandemic. No appointments necessary. You complete therapy at your own pace, through message-based therapy which is guided and supported by a Registered Ontario Therapist.
Drop-In Therapy/Counselling
If you’re comfortable with going in-person to see someone and you really need to talk to someone, drop-in counselling may be a good option for you. Most drop-in clinics are free of charge, unless run by private practices. You don’t have to make an appointment ahead of time and there are designated drop-in days and hours each clinic has available to you.
You can discuss what you feel comfortable with the therapist you see that day, and if you end up going back in, you can always see if they happen to be in and request to see them again if you strike up a rapport. View this drop-in therapy list in Toronto.
Free Resources from Hopewoods
In addition to all of the above resources as well as our private practices, we offer free counselling and therapies in several ways. Some of our most popular include our free workshops and our NGO WeConnect Community.
We are firm believers in the idea of mental healthcare being accessible by everyone, regardless of their financial situation, hence why in addition to our private practices, we offer these free resources which you can view in full on our website.
If you still have any questions about how to get therapy on a budget or affordable counselling options, our staff at Hopewoods is more than happy to help. Contact us today if you’d like some extra assistance.
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