Notes from real conversations, sessions, and patterns we're seeing
In our recent conversation with Will Lee from Strive Counselling, we went beyond surface-level advice and talked about what actually happens when therapists start working with real clients. From pricing anxiety to the pressure of finding consistent bookings, this is the side of therapy that often gets left out.
Therapy in Canada isn’t always free, but many extended health insurance plans cover part of the cost. This guide breaks down which therapists are covered, how much you can expect to be reimbursed, and how to check your benefits so you can start therapy with confidence.
Therapy in Canada typically costs $120–$200 per session. Lower-cost options can start around $50, while psychologists may charge $200–$350 or more depending on experience and specialization.
Finding a therapist in Canada shouldn’t feel overwhelming, but for most people, it does. The more specific you are, the easier it is to filter therapists who actually understand your situation. This is why platforms like Purple Lotus let you filter by concerns, not just general categories.
CBT, DBT, EMDR, psychodynamic. Therapy is full of terms that can feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to find help. The truth is, most people don’t need to understand everything. They just need to understand enough to choose. Here’s a simple, human breakdown of the most common therapy modalities and how to know what might actually work for you.
Trying to find a therapist in Canada usually means running into a wall of acronyms, RCC, CCC, RSW, Psychologist, without a clear explanation of what any of them mean. This guide breaks them down simply, so you can understand the difference and focus on what actually matters: finding someone who feels like the right fit.
BC is moving to regulate psychotherapy as a health profession, bringing clearer standards, licensing, and accountability. While this improves safety and trust, it doesn’t solve the biggest challenge clients still face: figuring out which therapist is actually the right fit.
Your first therapy session might feel a bit awkward, and that’s completely normal. From intake questions to figuring out if it’s the right fit, this guide walks you through what actually happens and what to pay attention to.
Finding a therapist online sounds simple until you’re 30 minutes deep in identical profiles and still can’t decide. If everything starts to blur together, it’s not you. Most directories aren’t built to help you compare, they’re built to show you more.
Therapy in Canada can cost $120–$200 per session, which isn’t realistic for most students. But between university insurance, sliding scale therapists, and lower-cost options, there are more ways to afford therapy than most people realize.
Success as a therapist comes from building trust, staying present, and creating a safe space for clients to grow, while also taking care of your own well-being.
