FIRST STEP MEN'S THERAPY
Supporting men and their partners
Affordable Therapy Program in Toronto, Ottawa, and Across Ontario
Services Available across Canada
Online & In-Person Sessions, Guaranteed No Waitlist
Accepted by most major insurance providers
Suivis/services thérapeutiques offerts en français
Affordable Therapy Pricing
Initial Assessment Session
(80 minutes)
No cost to you!
Individual Counselling Sessions
(50 minutes)
$85 (Regular Rate)
$50 (Student Rate)
$25 (Reduced Rate)
Therapy Shouldn't Have Barriers to Access
Our Mission to Make Therapy Accessible!
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At First Step Men's Therapy, we believe everyone who needs a session should have access to a therapist that can help them feel better and learn about themselves.
Our Affordable Therapy Program is run by master's-level interns who are finishing up their degree in counselling psychology and supervised by a qualified, experienced psychotherapist.
All interns are clinically supervised on a weekly basis by an experienced clinical supervisor in the field.
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Our interns are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and meet with a CRPO clinical supervisor on a weekly basis to discuss cases and get feedback and support to help serve and support you better.
Not Sure if Affordable Therapy is Right for You?
We offer the initial assessment/intake session for you at no cost. Each additional session is set at a rate that you are comfortable paying for the duration of sessions with your Affordable Therapy therapist, which allows you to set up appointments based on your financial budget.
We also have limited pro-bono and student rates available to those who might have difficult or limited financial constraints. Feel free to let your therapist know at the start of the initial assessment session which rate you are comfortable paying.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING OUR AFP:
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To maintain ethical standards and ensure appropriate care within our intern-led services, we require that clients do not have any current or pending legal matters, including but not limited to criminal charges, family court proceedings, or other legal actions. By signing this form, you confirm that you are not currently involved in, nor anticipating, any legal proceedings that may require therapeutic input, documentation, or testimony.
Please note that interns are not permitted to provide letters, treatment summaries, progress reports, or any form of documentation to third parties, including lawyers, courts, or other representatives of the Canadian justice system. Should any legal issues arise during the course of services, you may be referred to one of our fully icensed mental health clinicians for continued care.
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Still Have Questions About Affordable Therapy?
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What is psychotherapy?Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy that aims to help improve and maintain one's mental health and face challenges both in the present and going forward.
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Is a therapist covered by OHIP? How about my company's health insurance plan?Unfortunately, OHIP does not currently cover the cost of psychotherapy services. Some insurance providers may cover the cost, however, you will have to check whether your insurance provider covers the designation (i.e. Registered Psychotherapist or Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist/Registered Social Worker) prior to starting therapy to ensure coverage.
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How long does each session last?Each individual session lasts 50 minutes. We use the final 10 minutes to finish up our documentation such as case notes that are required by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and when developing a tailored treatment plan to help guide us in our work.
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I have insurance. Can you direct bill to my provider?To keep things simple, we ask that you pay for our services first, then submit any claims directly to your own insurance provider. Check with your insurance providers to learn more about whether you are covered for services offered by your individual therapist's designation (i.e. Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, & Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist).
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Do you have a physical location?Yes, we have an office in Ottawa, Ontario located at Bank & Cooper in the heart of Centretown. Don't live in Ottawa? We offer online therapy options for individuals residing across Ontario. We have clients in Windsor, Kingston, Toronto, London, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Niagara Falls - and everywhere in between!
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I have never done therapy online. Is is safe? What can I expect?Working with a therapist requires an environment that is safe, private, and secure. We use a telehealth platform that enables us to work together in such an environment. There is also an added layer of comfort for many clients, as you can meet us in the safety and privacy of your own space. We ask that you minimize any distractions prior to our session, such as silencing all cell phones and ensuring you have water or a pen/paper prior to joining the session.
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Do you provide receipts?Yes, we provide you with a .pdf receipt after each session to allow you to keep for your own records and, if needed, submit it for your insurance coverage or tax records (if applicable).
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My partner isn't convinced he needs therapy. Can I book an appointment for him?While understandable, we ask that the individual who requires our services make the first step and reach out to us directly. We are unable to book appointments from partners, friends, or family.
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How many sessions will it take to feel better?The answer depends on many factors/variables. Some individuals start to feel better quickly as a result of simply talking open and honestly about their concerns for the first time. However, deeper level change does take time. The longer you have been struggling with your concern the more therapy sessions you will most likely need. On average many clients do notice some progress within the first 2-3 months of therapy.
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Is therapy confidential?Your privacy and confidentiality are crucial. The information that you share will not be disclosed without your consent. There are some exceptions to this (required by Ontario law): You disclose information that indicates you or someone else is in imminent danger You disclose information about abuse or neglect of a child under the age of 16 You disclose information about abuse by a health care professional You disclose information about the abuse or neglect of a senior The court subpoenas your records The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario requests your records as part of an audit Before and throughout therapy, we will discuss these circumstances in detail and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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How is my personal health information stored?Your personal health information is stored on a secure and private PIPEDA and PHIPA compliant electronic record management software, Jane Practice. PIPEDA: The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act PHIPA: Personal Health Information Protection Act
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I have some things I am not ready to talk about. Will I have to speak about them early on in therapy?The short answer is no. You will never be forced to discuss something that you don’t feel comfortable disclosing. It can help to think of therapy like driving a car – you’re in the driver’s seat, the therapist is the passenger. A therapist can work with you to determine a better roadmap, but ultimately the decision to turn is yours. You can always discuss the pros and cons of discussing a certain topic with your therapist.
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What will a 20-minute consultation help me with?An important predictor of success in therapy is fit between client and therapist. While it will take you some time to develop trust, after this call you should have an idea of whether this is someone you’d like to work with. We will review basic questions that you have and determine if fees and appointment availability work for you. You do not have to make a decision during this call about proceeding with therapy. You can take your time, think about it, and reach out at a later time to schedule your appointment.
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I am ready to get started. What's the process look like?Once ready to book a first session, we will send you an intake form and informed consent form that outlines all the policies and procedures within the course of your therapeutic relationship (confidentiality, cancellation, fees etc). Once your form has been completed and signed, you will be ready to start your session. ** A valid credit card is required prior to starting your first session and throughout the therapeutic relationship.
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