How can individual therapy sessions help you?

Individual therapy sessions offer a confidential space to explore thoughts and feelings, helping you gain clarity and insight. Our experienced therapists will work with you to develop tools, strategies, and goals, leading you on a path toward a better future.

Whether facing specific challenges or seeking self-discovery, online personal counselling can empower you to navigate life's complexities. With one-on-one therapy sessions, you can experience personalized support tailored to your unique needs.

How does individual counselling work?

Individual counselling at Shift Collab is a collaborative process where you’ll work alongside a trained therapist to delve into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Each session is an opportunity to identify personal challenges and set tangible goals that foster self-awareness and growth. You can expect to engage in various techniques tailored to your needs, such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioural strategies, and mindfulness practices.

An essential part of the process is developing a personalized care plan with your therapist. This plan serves as a roadmap for your therapy journey, highlighting steps towards achieving your self-improvement objectives.

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

Self Worth

We address challenges related to self-worth, helping individuals recognize and embrace their intrinsic value.

Through therapy, clients learn to combat negative self-perceptions and build confidence, fostering a healthier, more positive view of themselves.

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.

Trauma and Abuse

We treat individuals coping with the aftermath of traumatic events and various forms of abuse, offering a compassionate space to heal and rebuild.

Our therapy provides coping strategies and support to empower clients to process their experiences and foster resilience.

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.

Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive substance use or behaviors despite harmful consequences.

Our therapy focuses on identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and fostering healthier habits to support recovery and prevent relapse.

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 individual 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)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) sees you as made up of different "parts," like the part that people-pleases or the part that shuts down under stress. In therapy, IFS helps you get to know these parts and understand what each one needs, so they can work together instead of against each other.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps you process distressing or traumatic memories so they stop feeling as raw in daily life. Using guided eye movements or another bilateral technique, it helps your brain reprocess a memory so it's stored with less emotional charge, without needing to describe the event in detail.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term approach that focuses on adult attachment and the bonds between you and the people closest to you. It helps you understand what's driving your emotional reactions, so you can rebuild trust and connection in your relationships.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy that blends practical skills with real talk about your emotions and relationships. It teaches you mindfulness, distress tolerance, and communication skills you can use to manage intense feelings and connect more easily with others.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, skills-based approach that helps you notice 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 in this meeting, I will sound stupid → chest tightens → you stay quiet → the worry gets 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 behavioural experiments that rebuild confidence in real life. Sessions stay collaborative and concrete. You leave with tools you can use between appointments, not just insights that fade by Tuesday.

At Shift Collab, CBT is offered virtually across Canada with registered therapists (RSW / RP). If CBT is not the best fit after you start, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Attachment-Based Therapy (ABT)

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how your earliest bonds taught you what closeness costs, what conflict means, and whether it is safe to need anyone. Those lessons show up in texts you reread twelve times, in shutting down mid-argument, or in choosing partners who keep you slightly unsure.

In attachment-based work, you and your therapist map those patterns with curiosity rather than blame. The goal is to understand the adaptive strategies you built, feel the emotions that got skipped, and practise new ways of reaching for connection that feel safer in adult relationships.

At Shift Collab this work happens virtually across Canada with registered therapists. If the fit is off after you start, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Discover more clinical approaches that we offer.

Suzette McLarty

Suzette McLarty

Registered Social Worker

Kyle Haycock

Kyle Haycock

Registered Social Worker

Nadia McNairn

Nadia McNairn

Registered Social Worker

Meet our individual 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

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.

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.

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. Fewer than 5% 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, our Fit Guarantee means we'll rematch you and give you a complimentary session.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Have more questions? We're here to help.

An exceptional therapy experience is waiting for you.

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