Where to Find Free Therapy in Ontario (2025)
Updated August 7th, 2025
Published April 25th, 2024
4 min read
Even though mental health is important, some people can’t afford to pay the cost of therapy. Here’s how you can find clinics that offer free mental health services.
Written by Simon Spichak
One in five Canadians experiences mental illness every year. However, many struggle to find affordable and timely mental healthcare. In Ontario, several publicly funded clinics and low-cost services help fill the gap. These clinics are not intended to offer crisis support. In some cases, they may have a waitlist or only offer in-person services.
How much does therapy cost?
The average cost of therapy will depend on the type of support or mental health professional you’re looking to meet with.
Psychologists charge $200 to $250 per hour
Psychotherapists charge $100 to $200 per hour
Psychiatrists are covered by OHIP, but it may take several months to get an appointment
Resolvve offers therapy starting at $30 and free consultations
Free mental health services in Ontario
Many people in Ontario are looking for free therapy services to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, or other mental health conditions. Most of the clinics that provide free support are community health centers or nonprofits with in-person services. However, ongoing one-on-one therapy is often limited.
Free therapy in Toronto/GTA
These centers offer free therapy:
Free therapy in Ottawa
These centers offer free therapy:
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health - services for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit clients
Free therapy in other parts of Ontario
If you’re located somewhere else in the province, you can use ementalhealth.ca to find out if there are free in-person therapy services near you.
Free therapy for university and college students
Most universities and colleges have embedded health and wellness centers. While there may be a waitlist, they may offer a few free sessions of therapy for students.
Affordable therapy at Resolvve
While Resolvve does not offer free therapy services, we specialize in low-cost virtual options for people in Ontario. We also work with your insurance. For university and college students, that might mean your therapy session is entirely covered. You can learn more about your insurance plan here.
Affordable therapy offered by Resolvve:
Free 15-minute consultations
Supervised student interns at $30 per session
Registered psychotherapists at $100 to $130 per hour
We also offer a free 15-minute consultation so that you can see if a particular therapist is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where can I find free therapy in Ontario?
A: Look for community health centres in Toronto and Ottawa, and student services at universities. Use eMentalHealth.ca for a full list across the province.
Q: Is therapy at Resolvve free?
A: Resolvve does not offer free therapy, but we provide affordable mental health support, including $30 sessions with supervised interns and free consultations.
Q: How much does therapy cost in Ontario?
A: Psychologists generally charge $200–$250/hour. Registered psychotherapists run $100–$200/hour. Psychiatrists are covered by OHIP but often have longer waitlists for therapy.
Please note that this post is written for educational purposes; it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional, please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.
