About LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ affirmative professionals offer a safe, respectful space to explore identity, relationships, coming out, minority stress or discrimination, without pathologising sexual orientation or gender identity.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
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
Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental health problem. However, discrimination, rejection, hiding who you are or living in an unsupportive environment can create stress that affects well-being. It may help to seek support if you feel anxious or low, isolated, unsafe, conflicted about your identity, struggling with coming out, facing family rejection, or affected by harassment or violence.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Look for affirmative therapy: psychologists, psychotherapists and other professionals who respect your identity and have training in sexual and gender diversity. Evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and family therapy can be adapted to address minority stress. So-called conversion therapies are harmful and rejected by professional bodies. Peer and community groups can complement professional support.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in immediate danger, have been assaulted, or are being threatened because of your identity, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if you have been thrown out of your home and have nowhere safe to go. Specialised LGBTQ+ organisations in many places can offer support and guidance.
What you can do in the meantime
Connect with people and spaces where you can be yourself, whether friends, community groups or trusted online communities. You decide when, how and to whom you come out; your safety comes first. Look for reliable, affirming information sources. Look after sleep, movement and routines, and limit exposure to hostile content online. Ask potential therapists directly about their experience with LGBTQ+ clients.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
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 therapist 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.