Belleisle
Online Therapy for Teens and Young Adults in Ontario
Confidential online therapy for teens and young adults across Ontario, delivered by independent, regulated professionals — in a format that meets young people where they are.
Sessions in English or French · Secure, confidential, PIPEDA-compliant platform · First appointment usually within days.
Adolescence and the years just after it bring real pressure — school, friendships, identity, the weight of an always-on world — and it isn't always easy for a young person to ask for help, or for a parent to know when to step in. Therapy can give a teen or young adult a steady, confidential place to work things through with someone trained to listen. Belleisle Clinics connects young people and families across Ontario with qualified, regulated professionals for online therapy, in a format that often feels more natural and less intimidating to this generation than a clinic waiting room.
Reviewed by Dr. Marie Paquette, C.Psych. (CPBAO #7136). Written and edited by the Belleisle Clinics care team. Last updated: June 2026.
When a young person might benefit from therapy
There is no threshold of “bad enough” that a person has to reach before therapy makes sense. Often the signs are changes rather than crises: pulling away from friends or activities they used to enjoy, a persistent dip in mood or motivation, sleep or appetite changes, falling grades, increased irritability or conflict at home, anxiety that gets in the way of school or socializing, or simply a sense from the young person — or the parent — that something is off. Therapy can help early, before difficulties deepen, and reaching out at the first signs is a strength, not an overreaction.
What online therapy for teens and young adults helps with
Professionals in our network support young people through a wide range of concerns, including anxiety and panic; low mood and depression; school and performance stress; social difficulties, bullying, and friendship struggles; questions of identity, including gender and sexuality; self-esteem and body image; family conflict and major changes like separation or moving; grief and loss; and the difficult transition into university, college, work, and greater independence. The work is always adapted to the young person's age, maturity, and goals.
Why online therapy works well for this age group
For a generation that has grown up communicating through screens, meeting a therapist over video often feels natural rather than strange — and that comfort can make it easier to open up. The online format also removes some of the specific barriers young people face: there's no waiting room where they might be seen, no need for a parent to take time off to drive them across town, and sessions can fit around school and activities. For a teen worried about the stigma of “going to therapy,” being able to meet privately from their own room can be the thing that makes starting feel possible. And for families in rural or remote parts of Ontario, online access opens the door to professionals who simply aren't available nearby.
How it works for minors: parents, privacy, and trust
When the client is a minor, parents or guardians are part of the process — and so is the young person's need for a private, trusting space. Belleisle works in collaboration with parents: a parent or guardian is involved from the first point of contact, helps with the intake, and is part of planning the support, while the professional also works to build the confidential, trusting relationship with the young person that makes therapy effective. How information is shared between the young person and their parents is discussed openly at the outset, so everyone understands the arrangement. The right balance depends on the young person's age and maturity and on clinical judgment; your professional will explain how they approach it. For young adults (18+), therapy is confidential in the same way it is for any adult client.
Online therapy is well suited to many young people, but not to every situation — a professional assesses at the outset whether it's the right fit, or whether in-person or more specialized care would serve the young person better, and can refer accordingly.
Therapeutic approaches
There is no single right approach; the professional tailors it to the young person. Common evidence-based methods include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which has strong support for youth anxiety and depression and adapts well to video; behavioural and skills-based work for managing stress and difficult emotions; and relational and family-informed approaches when the difficulties involve the wider family system. Where helpful and appropriate, parents are given guidance on how to support their child between sessions.
Who you’ll work with
The professionals in the Belleisle network who work with young people are independent, regulated clinicians — Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) and Registered Psychologists (CPBAO) — ideally ones experienced with this age group. Both can provide effective, evidence-based care, and for most therapy with teens and young adults a Registered Psychotherapist can be just as effective as a psychologist. The professions differ in depth of training — a master’s qualification for psychotherapists, a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) for psychologists — and in scope: only a psychologist can carry out formal psychological assessment, such as testing for a learning disability or ADHD, or provide a diagnosis.
For a full comparison and help choosing, see our guide, Psychologist vs. Psychotherapist in Ontario. Belleisle’s intake team handles the match, taking experience with adolescents and young adults into account — and what matters most is the relationship between the young person and their professional.
How To Start
1
Tell us briefly what's going on
A parent, guardian, or young adult fills out our short online form. No referral is required, and a person on our intake team — not a chatbot — reviews it.
2
We match the young person with the right professional
Based on the concern, the young person's age, language preference, schedule, and what you're looking for, our intake team identifies a professional experienced with this age group. You can ask questions by phone before booking.
3
Begin the first session
The matched professional confirms a time. Sessions take place over a secure video platform, and the pace is set by what works for the young person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
The statements on this page about the effectiveness of online therapy for young people are supported by peer-reviewed research, including:
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Spence, S. H., Donovan, C. L., March, S., et al. (2011). A randomized controlled trial of online versus clinic-based CBT for adolescent anxiety. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(5), 629–642. (Online CBT for adolescent anxiety produced outcomes comparable to clinic-based CBT.)
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Boydell, K. M., et al. (2014). Using technology to deliver mental health services to children and youth: a scoping review. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(2), 87–99. (Telemental health for youth is feasible and comparable to in-person care.)
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Anderson, R. E., Spence, S. H., Donovan, C. L., March, S., Prosser, S., & Kenardy, J. (2012). Working alliance in online cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety disorders in youth: Comparison with clinic delivery and its role in predicting outcome. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14, Article e88.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. It does not replace consultation with a qualified mental health professional. If a young person is in crisis or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 (or text CONNECT to 686868), call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), call 9-1-1, or visit your nearest emergency department.