Which provider is the right provider?
The health care system in Canada can be complex. This guide differentiates the roles of the different mental health care providers. You will also learn about whether their services are covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and how to find them as a resident of Ontario.
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Family doctor
A family doctor, or general practitioner, is your primary health care provider. They can be the first person you go to for your mental health concerns or any non-emergency health concerns.
Some family doctors specialize in providing psychotherapy, however, most will refer you to other providers for mental health services. Your family doctor might refer you to a psychiatrist if they suspect you require specialized care. Your doctor might also connect you to social supports and other resources.
Covered by OHIP?
Yes. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) fully covers the cost of visiting your family doctor, or seeing a doctor at a walk-in clinic.
Can prescribe medication?
Yes.
How to access?
You can find a family doctor by:
Registering with Health Care Connect.
Contacting any physician to ask if they are accepting new patients. Find a physician using The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s Find a Doctor search.
Read more about how to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner in Ontario.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. They usually offer assessments and short-term follow-up, but do not provide ongoing therapy beyond the initial assessment.
Covered by OHIP?
Yes. Any treatment, including therapy, administered by a psychiatrist is fully covered by OHIP.
Can prescribe medication?
Yes.
How to access?
The best way to see a psychiatrist is to speak to your family doctor. After a referral is initiated by your family doctor, wait times can take several months to a year or longer. Due to the long wait times, your family doctor might conduct an assessment and prescribe medication in the interim. You can also start seeing a psychologist or psychotherapist while you wait.
Read the section on family doctors to learn about how to find a family doctor in Ontario.
Psychologist
A psychologist is trained to assess, diagnose, and manage mental conditions. In Ontario, the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPA) is the governing body that regulates psychologists and psychological associates. A psychologist must have obtained a doctoral degree to register with the CPA.
Covered by OHIP?
No. However, most private or employer-sponsored insurance plans cover services rendered by a psychologist. Reach out to your insurance plan provider for more information regarding your coverage.
Can prescribe medication?
No.
How to access?
You can search for a psychologist using a public directory, such as Psychology Today. A PhD on their profile typically indicates that the provider is a psychologist. The Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) also has an online search tool. Alternatively, you can find a psychologist through your insurance plan’s referral network.
If you are hesitant due to the cost of mental health care, reach out to a psychologist and ask if they offer sliding scale rates. The OPA search tool allows you to filter by sliding scale availability.
Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist helps treat and manage mental health concerns through various types of therapy. In Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) is the governing body that regulates psychotherapists. A psychotherapist must have obtained a master’s degree in counselling or a related professional field to register with the CRPO.
Covered by OHIP?
No. However, most private or employer-sponsored insurance plans cover services rendered by a psychotherapist. Reach out to your insurance plan provider for more information regarding your coverage.
Can prescribe medication?
No.
How to access?
You can search for a psychotherapist using an online directory, such as Psychology Today or Being Seen. Alternatively, you can find a psychotherapist through your insurance plan’s referral network.
If you are hesitant due to the cost of mental health care, look into low-cost directories such as Open Path. You can also reach out to a psychotherapist and ask if they offer sliding scale rates.
Ivory Therapy is registered with Open Path where individual therapy is offered at a discounted rate of $40-70 per session. Sliding scale rates are also available. I encourage you to reach out for more information.
Social worker
A social worker provides counselling for a variety of issue. They can provide psychotherapy, although not all may do so. They can also refer people to social service agencies in their communities. In Ontario, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is the governing body that regulates social workers and social service workers. Social workers must have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work to register with the OCSWSSW. In some cases, a social worker may also have a master’s degree to provide more advanced services.
Covered by OHIP?
No. However, the services of social workers in health care centers or publicly-funded organizations are often available at no cost. Additionally, most private or employer-sponsored insurance plans cover services rendered by a social worker. Reach out to your insurance plan provider for more information regarding your coverage.
Can prescribe medication?
No.
How to access?
You can find social work agencies near you by contacting government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private residential care services. Dial 211 or visit 211 Ontario to access public services.
There are also online directories, such as Find A Social Worker, to look for social workers in private practice.
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