How can Family Therapy help me?

Family Therapy at Shift Collab focuses on strengthening family dynamics and resolving conflicts. Our experienced therapists work with families to improve communication, build resilience, and navigate challenges together. Whether dealing with issues related to parenting, transitions, or interpersonal dynamics, Family Therapy offers a collaborative space for positive change.

How does Family Therapy work?

Family Therapy sessions are confidential sessions that involve multiple family members working with a therapist to identify and address challenges. Therapists use a systemic approach, considering the family as a whole and the individual dynamics within it. Through dialogue, skill-building, and fostering understanding, Family Therapy aims to create a supportive and cohesive family unit, promoting effective communication and sustainable solutions for long-term well-being.

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Common challenges & issues that we'll navigate with you.

Relationships

Our therapy services address various relationship issues, ranging from communication breakdowns to trust concerns.

We provide strategies and tools to help individuals and couples strengthen their connections and resolve conflicts effectively.

Fears & Phobias

These conditions can disrupt daily life, leading to significant distress. Our therapy aims to help individuals understand the root of their fears and develop tools and coping strategies to gradually confront their phobias in a safe environment, ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

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Physical Health

Our therapy services address the psychological impact of physical health challenges, such as chronic pain, disability, and illness.

We provide strategies to cope with the emotional strain of physical ailments, and therapy can enhance overall wellbeing by aligning mental and physical health.

Parenting

Our therapy services address the diverse challenges of parenting and co-parenting dynamics, offering strategies for effective communication, discipline, and emotional support.

Therapy can assist in fostering a nurturing environment that promotes both the parent's and child's well-being.

Mood & Behavioural Disorders

Mood and behavioral disorders encompass a range of conditions that affect an individual's emotional state and actions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

Therapy can provide strategies to manage symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and work towards behavioral changes to enhance overall well-being and functioning.

Identity & Self

We provide therapy for individuals struggling with their sense of identity and self, encompassing challenges related to self-esteem, personal values, and self-concept.

Therapy aims to empower clients to discover and affirm their true selves, fostering a healthy self-image and improved well-being.

Grief and Loss

We address the profound emotional pain that comes with losing someone or something significant.

Therapy provides strategies to cope with the loss, understand the grieving process, and eventually find a way to move forward with life.

How online therapy works at Shift Collab

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Tell us what’s going on

Take a moment to fill out our quick, confidential questionnaire. Share what brings you here, what you’re hoping to get from therapy, and the kind of support and therapist you’re looking for.

Get matched with the right therapist

Based on your answers, we’ll handpick three therapists who align with what you’re looking for, each personally reviewed by our Care Team (real people, no bots!). No guesswork, just the right options, fast.

Start therapy, feel supported

Book a free 15-minute meet and greet with any (or all!) of your therapist matches to find your best fit. You can find a therapist and start therapy as early as tomorrow. If it’s not quite right, our Fit Guarantee means a free rematch within 30 days.

GET MATCHED WITH A THERAPIST

Why choose Shift Collab instead of other family therapy services?

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CURATED THERAPISTS

About 2% of therapists who apply are hired, so you are collaborating with carefully chosen professionals.

PROVEN EXPERIENCE

Our therapists average 11 years of clinical experience, so you can feel confident knowing you're in the care of experienced professionals.

FIT GUARANTEE

If you're not totally satisfied with your therapist after 30 days, we'll rematch you and give you a free session.

HIGH-TOUCH SERVICE

We're open 7-days a week and hyper-responsive, ensuring that you have a hassle-free online therapy experience.

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See why over 23,000+ Canadians choose us.

Popular clinical approaches used everyday at Shift Collab.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

Internal Family Systems is a way of working with the conflicting parts of you that don't agree on what you need. One part might people-please to keep the peace. Another shuts down when anyone gets close. A third runs the day with criticism so nothing can go wrong. IFS treats those reactions as parts that formed for a reason, often to protect something younger and more tender, rather than as symptoms to argue with or override. Richard Schwartz, who developed the model, noticed that people can name their patterns precisely and still feel hijacked by them. The work is to get to know each part, understand what it has been trying to do for you, and help them stop working against each other.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. If the first match isn't right, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch and a complimentary session within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a way of working with memories that still feel as if they are happening now. You do not have to narrate every detail of what happened for the work to count. EMDR uses guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating tones, a process called bilateral stimulation, while you briefly hold a piece of the memory, so your brain can file it as something that is over rather than still threatening. The aim is not to erase the event. It is to take the heat out of how it lives in your body, so the memory can be remembered without running the rest of your day.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. If the first match isn't right, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch and a complimentary session within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

Emotionally focused therapy is a way of working with the bond between you and the person closest to you, when that bond has started to feel like a cycle instead of a refuge. Sue Johnson developed EFT from attachment science: adults still need a reliable other, and distress in a couple is often a protest at losing that. You look at the pattern you both get pulled into, the pursue, the withdraw, the fight that is really a question about whether you matter. The work is to slow the cycle down and help you speak the softer feeling underneath it, so you can reach each other again. This is couples EFT, not tapping, and not a family session unless you add that later.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. If the first match isn't right, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch and a complimentary session within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behaviour therapy is a way of working with emotions that feel too big to ride, the kind that spike, take over, and leave you dealing with the aftermath. Marsha Linehan developed DBT for people whose feelings and relationships kept reaching a point of crisis, including self-harm and suicidal thinking, and published the treatment manual in 1993. The dialectical part is the tension it holds on purpose: you are doing the best you can, and you still need to change. DBT teaches 4 skills for mindfulness, getting through a crisis without making it worse, regulating emotion, and asking for what you need without blowing up the relationship. It is practical, structured, and honest about how hard that is in real time.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. Our analysis of matching at Shift Collab is that a first pairing is not always the right one. We have found the Fit Guarantee, a complimentary rematch within 30 days of your Initial Session, is how we handle that in practice.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a way of working with the loop between what you think, how you feel, and what you do next. When anxiety is loud, that loop can sound like: if I speak up I will sound stupid, the chest tightens, you stay quiet, and the worry is more convincing next time. In CBT you and your therapist treat those thoughts as hypotheses, not facts. You learn to catch them earlier, test them against what is actually happening, and practise small experiments that rebuild confidence in real life. The goal is not positive thinking. It is more accurate, more useful thinking, paired with actions that match the life you want.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. If the first match isn't right, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch and a complimentary session within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Attachment-Based Therapy (ABT)

What is Attachment-Based Therapy (ABT)?

Attachment-Based Therapy is a way of working with the lessons your earliest bonds taught you about what closeness costs. Those lessons show up in the text you reread twelve times, in shutting down mid-argument, in choosing people who keep you slightly unsure. ABT looks at how you learned whether it was safe to need anyone, then at how those strategies still organize adult relationships, including the one with your therapist. The work is not about blaming your caregivers. It is about understanding the adaptations you built, feeling the emotions that got skipped, and practising new ways of reaching for connection that do not require you to disappear or to cling.

We do this work virtually across Canada, with registered therapists. If the first match isn't right, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch and a complimentary session within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Discover more clinical approaches that we offer.

Find the right online family therapist for you

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Denise Eccleston

Denise Eccleston

Registered Social Worker

Andrika Rook

Andrika Rook

Registered Psychotherapist

Jillian Carnrike

Jillian Carnrike

Registered Psychotherapist

Meet our family therapists

Curious about online therapy, but not quite sure? Start here.

Whether you're new to therapy or wondering if virtual sessions are right for you, these posts break it all down. From getting started to finding the right therapist, you’ll learn what to expect and why online therapy in Canada can be a powerful next step.

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Common questions about starting care.

Is online therapy effective in Canada?
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Yes. Online therapy is a flexible way for people in Canada to get support. At Shift Collab, we create a safe and confidential space where you can explore challenges, build skills, and work toward your goals from home.

What cities in Canada do you offer therapy?
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At Shift Collab, we provide online therapy in Canada. Whether you're in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, or a smaller town in between, you can access therapy from anywhere with a secure internet connection.

Can therapy help if I'm not in a crisis?
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Absolutely. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many clients come to strengthen communication, build coping skills, or navigate life changes with support. At Shift Collab, we support people at every stage.

Do you offer 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive therapy in Canada?
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Absolutely. We proudly offer 2SLGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Canada. Our therapists are experienced in supporting diverse identities and relationship structures, and we’re committed to creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and supported.

Have more questions? We're here to help.

Common questions about starting care

Why should I pick Shift Collab over another therapy practice?

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We are a curated group practice, not a network or directory. About 2% of therapists who apply are accepted, and every RSW and RP on our team is hand-selected for clinical skill and fit.

We also take matching seriously. After you complete a short questionnaire, we pair you with a therapist based on your specific needs, goals, and preferences. And if it's not the right fit within 30 days of your Initial Session, our Fit Guarantee means we'll rematch you and give you a complimentary session.

Are therapy sessions confidential?

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Yes. Everything you share with your therapist stays between you and them.

There are a small number of legally required exceptions — if there is a risk of harm to you or someone else, or if there are concerns about child abuse or neglect, your therapist may be required to share information with the appropriate parties. If that situation ever arises, your therapist will have an open conversation with you before any information is shared.

Outside of those situations, your sessions are fully confidential.

How much are the sessions?

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We offer a variety of price points to meet different needs. Our sessions start at $140 per 50-minute session, and we offer reduced rates for postsecondary students and new grads. You can find our current rates on our services pages.

Is my therapy session tax deductible?

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Psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP) may qualify as a medical expense deduction on your Canadian income tax return. We recommend checking with your accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to confirm your eligibility based on your specific situation.

How soon can I start therapy?

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If you're interested in starting therapy, we'll do our best to connect you with an appropriate therapist within the next 24 hours. Of course, this also depends on your own availability.

If you'd like to get a better understanding of a therapist's approach and suitability, we recommend taking advantage of our complimentary Meet & Greet option.

Am I covered for therapy?

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Psychotherapy and Social Work are regulated health professions in Canada, but sessions are not covered under provincial health plans like OHIP.

Most extended health benefit plans do cover sessions with a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP) — or both. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage and approved rates.

What is the success rate of therapy?

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According to the American Psychological Association, almost 90% of people feel significantly better after therapy. According to the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, couples who participate in marital therapy see a 70% improvement in their relationship. And it's not just couples who benefit; over 80% of veterans with PTSD find therapy useful, according to The Department of Veterans Affairs.

Moreover, children and adolescents receiving therapy report significant improvements in their behaviour, mood, and functionality, as noted by The National Institute of Mental Health. Ultimately, the effectiveness of therapy depends on your commitment, but the evidence shows that you're likely to experience incredible benefits.

How does the Fit Guarantee work?

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We’re really good at finding great client-therapist matches. But if you’re not clicking with your registered psychotherapist or social worker within 30 days of starting therapy, Fit Guarantee™ means we’ll match you with another and give you a complimentary session.

Have more questions? We're here to help.

An exceptional therapy experience is waiting for you.

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