About family therapy
Family therapy works with several members together to improve communication, resolve conflicts and support everyone through changes such as separations, illness or adolescence.
Forensic psychologists apply psychology to legal matters: expert reports for courts, custody and family proceedings, assessment of damages or credibility, and support for victims. Ask about their experience as an expert witness in your country.
Getting mental health care in Canada
Public health system · Provincial and territorial public health insurance (Medicare)
Each province and territory runs its own public health insurance plan. Care by psychiatrists, usually after a family doctor referral, and hospital or community mental health services are covered; sessions with psychologists in private practice are generally not covered and are paid privately or through workplace insurance.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Provincial and territorial regulatory colleges of psychologists. Psychology is regulated separately in each province and territory. Check the public register of the regulatory college in the province where you live.
- Provincial and territorial Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. Psychiatrists must be licensed by the medical regulatory college of their province; check its public register.
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario; Ordre des psychologues du Québec (psychotherapist permit). Psychotherapy is a regulated activity in Ontario and Quebec; in other provinces the title is not regulated in the same way.
Online therapy in Canada
Professionals are licensed by province or territory, so check that a therapist is licensed where you live before starting online sessions.
Urgent help in Canada
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 911 · Emergency / Urgence (911)
- 988 · 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d'aide en cas de crise de suicide
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: cpa.ca
Signs to look out for
Every family goes through tension. Family therapy may help when conflict is constant or very intense, communication has broken down, a child’s difficulties are straining everyone, members feel stuck in the same patterns, or the family is struggling to adapt to a change such as a separation, a new partner, illness, migration, a loss or a child leaving home.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Systemic family therapy looks at relationships and patterns rather than blaming one person. Approaches with evidence include structural and strategic family therapy, family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders, multisystemic and functional family therapy for behaviour problems, and parent training. Family therapists, psychologists and social workers with systemic training usually lead the work, sometimes alongside individual therapy.
When to seek urgent help
If there is violence at home, a child or adult is being harmed, or someone is afraid for their safety, contact your local emergency services or specialised protection services. Safety comes before family therapy. Seek urgent help too if any family member talks about suicide, has harmed themselves seriously, or is at risk of harming others.
What you can do in the meantime
Set aside calm times to talk, and try to listen to understand rather than to reply. Agree on a few household rules together and keep them consistent. Avoid involving children in adult conflicts. Make room for enjoyable shared moments, even short ones. If tensions run high, take breaks before continuing a discussion. Each person looking after their own well-being also helps the family.
What does a forensic psychologist do?
A forensic psychologist applies psychology to legal questions. Day to day they carry out expert assessments and write reports for courts, lawyers or individuals: for example on child custody, the psychological impact of an event, capacity, credibility issues or risk. Some also work in prisons, victim support or rehabilitation programmes. They may be asked to explain their findings at trial.
When to see a forensic psychologist
You may need a forensic psychologist when a legal process requires an independent psychological assessment: custody or visitation disputes, claims for psychological harm after an accident or assault, workplace harassment cases, or questions about a person’s capacity. If what you need is emotional support during a legal process, a therapist is more suitable, since forensic assessment is evaluative, not therapeutic.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Canada cover psychological care?
Each province and territory runs its own public health insurance plan. Care by psychiatrists, usually after a family doctor referral, and hospital or community mental health services are covered; sessions with psychologists in private practice are generally not covered and are paid privately or through workplace insurance.
How do I check that a forensic psychologist is licensed in Canada?
Provincial and territorial regulatory colleges of psychologists: Psychology is regulated separately in each province and territory. Check the public register of the regulatory college in the province where you live.
Can I have online therapy in Canada?
Professionals are licensed by province or territory, so check that a therapist is licensed where you live before starting online sessions.