Online Psychotherapy
Belleisle Clinics bring together professionals who provide online psychotherapy in Ontario and Quebec, in English or in French.
Psychotherapy can answer a range of needs: anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, difficulties a child or teenager is going through, or simply the need to understand better what is not working and what could change.
Sessions in English or French · No referral required.
Reviewed by the Belleisle Clinics clinical team. Last updated: 29 September 2026.
What psychotherapy is
Psychotherapy is a process you undertake with an authorized professional, in order to understand and work on psychological, emotional, behavioural or relational difficulties.
Goals differ from one person to the next. The work may focus on anxious or depressive symptoms, on reactions that are hard to manage in certain situations, on relationships that have become a source of distress, or on habits that no longer meet your needs.
The work is collaborative. You and your professional agree on what you are working toward, and that direction can be revisited as things change. Some of the work happens in session, and some of it happens between sessions, depending on the approach used and on what you are working on.
You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy. You can begin from the difficulties you notice in your daily life.
Your first session
The first session is mainly about understanding what brings you in, your situation and what you would like to work on. It can also begin the therapeutic work itself.
A first direction can be discussed at that point. The length of therapy, however, cannot always be estimated in the first session. It varies with the nature and the duration of the difficulties, their impact, your goals, the factors involved and how the work develops. After a few initial assessment sessions, the professional is often able to offer a first estimate and a direction for the work, which can be adjusted as therapy goes on.
The first session also helps determine whether the professional and the format being proposed suit your situation.
Psychologist, psychotherapist and other professionals: making sense of the titles
A professional title and the authorization to practise psychotherapy are not the same thing, and the rules differ between Ontario and Quebec.
In Ontario, several regulated professions may provide psychotherapy within their scope of practice; at Belleisle you are most likely to work with a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) or a Psychologist (CPBAO).
In Quebec, the practice of psychotherapy is reserved. Psychologists, physicians and couple and family therapists may practise it without an additional psychotherapist permit. Other authorized practitioners may practise psychotherapy if they hold a psychotherapist permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
In both provinces, professionals must hold any registration, permit or other authorization required for their profession and circumstances, and work within the limits of their competence.
Some terms, such as “coach”, are not by themselves regulated professional titles. Someone using such a term may well have relevant training or belong to another profession, but training, supervision and complaint mechanisms can vary. It is worth checking a professional’s exact title, their qualifications and whether they are registered with a professional order or college. For a closer look at the Ontario titles, see our guide, Psychologist vs. Psychotherapist in Ontario.
Sessions at a distance
For services provided remotely, authorization requirements can vary depending on the jurisdictions involved and on where the client and the professional are located during the session. The professional has to make sure they comply with the rules that apply to their situation. If you move between Quebec and Ontario, tell your professional, so that the requirements that apply to you can be checked.
Online psychotherapy
Professionals in the Belleisle network provide psychotherapy at a distance in Ontario and Quebec.
The online format can cut down on travel and ease some scheduling constraints. It also lets you attend from home or from another suitable location, provided you have a space private enough to speak freely.
Online psychotherapy does not suit every situation. Your needs, your age, the reason for consulting, the level of risk and whether a private enough environment can be maintained all have to be taken into account.
The services described on this page are not crisis or emergency services.
Reasons people come in
There are many reasons to consult, and you do not have to know exactly how to name what you are going through before asking for help.
The Belleisle site has more detailed pages on anxiety therapy, depression, ADHD, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy for children and teenagers.
Other work may concern stress, burnout, grief, relationships, life transitions, the perinatal period or difficult experiences. The reason for consulting helps guide the choice of professional and the approach used.
Children, teenagers and adults
Needs and ways of working differ with age, development, the reason for consulting and the professional’s approach.
With a child, the work may involve play, drawing, stories, talking, or the participation of parents. How much room parents have varies with age, needs, consent and who the service was set up for.
With teenagers, psychotherapy may address anxiety, mood, relationships, school, identity, self-esteem or periods of transition.
Consent and confidentiality rules for minors vary with age, capacity to consent, the province, who consented to the service, who the service was set up for and legal obligations. At the start of therapy, the clinician explains what stays confidential, what may be shared with a parent or another authorized person, and what the legal limits of confidentiality are.
Different approaches to psychotherapy
There are several approaches in psychotherapy. The choice depends on the reason for consulting, your goals, the professional’s training and what suits you.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, is a well-documented approach for several difficulties. Other professionals work with psychodynamic, relational or emotion-focused approaches, or with approaches based on acceptance and commitment.
One approach is not necessarily preferable to another in every situation. The professional can explain the approach they use and how it relates to the needs you have discussed.
Fees and insurance
Psychotherapy in private practice is generally not covered by public health plans. Coverage under group insurance and employee assistance programs varies with the contract and with the provider’s professional title.
It is worth checking the terms of your plan before starting therapy, including which professional titles it covers and what annual maximum applies.
Some fees may qualify as a medical expense. Keep your receipts and check the Canada Revenue Agency’s current criteria.
Psychotherapy in Ontario and Quebec
Working online lets professionals in the Belleisle network offer services in different regions of Ontario and Quebec, depending on the availability of professionals authorized to practise there.
To read about the services offered in your area, see our pages on psychotherapy in Ottawa and Toronto, and, in French, in Gatineau, Montréal and Québec City.
How to start
You can send a request to Belleisle with a short note about what brings you in, your province, your language preference and your availability.
Depending on needs and availability, the network aims to direct you to a professional whose area of practice matches your request.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to start psychotherapy?
No. You can consult on the basis of difficulties or symptoms you have noticed, without having received a diagnosis. The first session helps clarify the situation and identify the first directions for the work.
How long does psychotherapy last?
It varies with the nature and the duration of the difficulties, their impact, the goals you are working toward, the factors involved and how the work develops. After a few initial assessment sessions, the professional is often able to offer a first estimate and a direction, which can be adjusted as therapy goes on.
How do I choose between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?
A professional title alone is not enough to determine which professional will best suit your situation. Training, experience, authorization to practise and familiarity with the difficulties that bring you in all matter as well. Our guide on psychologists and psychotherapists in Ontario sets out the differences.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
No. Neither Ontario nor Quebec requires a physician referral for psychotherapy in private practice. Some extended health insurance plans do ask for a doctor’s note in order to reimburse, so it is worth checking the wording of your plan.
Is what I share confidential?
Sessions are governed by the confidentiality obligations set by each clinician’s regulatory body and by the privacy legislation that applies to the service. There are legal limits to confidentiality, notably when there is a risk of serious harm to self or to others, and those limits vary by province. Your clinician explains them at the start of therapy.
Can I attend online sessions if I move between Quebec and Ontario?
That depends on where you are during the session and on the professional’s authorization to practise. Tell your professional about your situation, so that the requirements that apply can be checked.
In a crisis
The services described on this page are not a substitute for crisis or emergency services.
If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, you can call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
In Quebec, you can also call 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553) or dial 811, option 2, for Info-Social.
The content on this page is provided for information only. It is not individualized professional advice, does not create a therapeutic relationship, and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health professional.