Depression tells you nothing will help — that's part of the illness, not the truth. Structured, evidence-based counselling is one of the most effective treatments for low mood, and reaching out is the hardest step.
Depression counselling combines proven approaches — cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behavioural activation and interpersonal therapy — to address low mood from several directions at once: the thoughts that pull you down, the withdrawal that keeps you stuck, and the relationships and routines that support recovery. Your counsellor paces the work to your energy, starting small.
At Counselling Toronto — by McDowall Integrative Psychology & Healthcare — every counsellor is a registered psychotherapist or supervised clinician, and every plan starts with a free consultation so you know the fit, the approach and the cost before committing to anything.
You don't need a crisis to benefit from counselling. If any of these feel familiar, a free consultation is a low-stakes way to find out what support could look like.
No single method fits everyone. Your counsellor draws on approaches with real research behind them — and adjusts to how you work best.
Depression shrinks life; this rebuilds it deliberately, starting with the smallest realistic steps — often the fastest early wins.
Targets the self-critical, hopeless thought patterns depression runs on, and teaches you to answer them.
Focuses on the relationships, roles and losses that low mood is tangled with — powerful when depression followed a life change.
Tell us what's going on and what you're hoping for. No commitment, no cost.
We match you with a registered psychotherapist who fits your needs and style.
Start weekly or bi-weekly sessions, in person in Toronto or by secure video.
Early sessions focus on understanding your depression and finding the smallest realistic steps that rebuild momentum — behavioural activation is often where change starts. As energy returns, you'll work on the thinking patterns and circumstances underneath the low mood. Counselling also works well alongside medication if that's part of your plan.
Master's-level clinicians under close clinical supervision — quality care at the most accessible rate.
The most popular choice for depression counselling — covered by most extended health plans.
Senior clinicians for complex or specialized work. Receipts provided for insurance.
Most extended health plans in Ontario cover registered psychotherapists — check your plan's "psychotherapist" or "mental health" coverage. OHIP does not cover psychotherapy. A free consultation always comes first, so there are no surprises.
Comfortable, private offices with evening and weekend availability. In-person care is also available at our Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga locations.
Secure, privacy-compliant video sessions with the same registered psychotherapists. Ideal for busy schedules, parents, and anyone outside Toronto.
Our Toronto clients come from every corner of the city — downtown professionals booking sessions around Bay Street hours, families in North York and Etobicoke, students near the universities, and newcomers settling into one of the most diverse cities in the world. Evening and weekend appointments make in-person sessions workable around TTC commutes, and secure video fills the gaps when getting across town isn't realistic.
No referral, no waitlist. Book a free consultation, or let us match you with the right counsellor in Toronto.
