What is a Registered Psychotherapist?
A Registered Psychotherapist is a regulated mental health professional in Ontario, trained in talk therapy and overseen by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Read moreSaalvio resources
Plain-language answers to the questions most people ask before starting therapy
Where to start
If you are completely new, the three most useful places to start are: what a Registered Psychotherapist actually is, how to find a therapist who fits, and what happens in a first session. Cost and insurance reimbursement pages are useful once you know you are going to book.
There are currently 13 explainers on the site. Each is reviewed by Saalvio's clinical team and dated, so you can see when the page was last checked.
How to Find a Therapist
How to find a regulated therapist in Canada and Ontario: where to search, how to verify registration, how to tell if someone is the right fit, and how to find help for specific concerns like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Read moreIs Online Therapy Effective?
For the most common mental health conditions, therapist-guided online therapy produces outcomes statistically equivalent to face-to-face sessions, according to a 2024 CMAJ meta-analysis.
Read moreTypes of Therapy Explained
A plain-language guide to the most common types of therapy, including CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and more, what each one helps with, and how to find the right fit for you.
Read moreHow Much Does Therapy Cost in Ontario?
What therapy costs in Ontario in 2026 by provider type, what OHIP and extended health plans cover, free public options, the 2024 HST exemption, and how to find care that fits your budget.
Read moreDoes Insurance Cover Therapy in Canada?
How extended health benefits in Canada typically reimburse therapy with a registered psychotherapist, registered social worker, or psychologist, what OHIP does not cover, and four things to confirm before your first session.
Read moreTherapy for Immigrants and Newcomers
How therapy can help immigrants and newcomers process grief, stress, and identity changes, what culturally sensitive and multilingual therapy looks like, and how to find the right fit in Canada.
Read moreTherapy vs Counselling vs Psychology
The titles overlap in everyday language but mean specific things in Ontario. Here is a side-by-side comparison of psychotherapist, counsellor, psychologist, and psychiatrist.
Read moreWhat to Expect in Your First Session
Learn what to expect in your first therapy session in Canada. Understand the process, questions, privacy, and how therapists support newcomers.
Read morePreparing for Online Therapy
Getting ready for your first online therapy session? Learn simple steps for a calm, private, and comfortable start with Saalvio in Ontario.
Read moreCBT vs DBT vs ACT
A plain-language comparison of CBT, DBT, and ACT, three of the most widely practised and researched talk therapies in Canada, with a comparison table, what the evidence says, and how to choose.
Read moreRP vs Psychologist vs RSW
A plain-language comparison of the regulated talk-therapy professions in Ontario, with a real comparison table covering credentials, scope, fees, and insurance.
Read moreIn-person vs virtual therapy
A side-by-side comparison of in-person and online therapy for adult outpatients in Canada, with the research on whether virtual therapy is as effective and honest framing on when in-person is still the better choice.
Read moreStill have a question these pages have not answered?
Message a therapist directly and they will answer in plain language, or book a free first session and bring the question into the conversation. Under CANADAHEALS, both pre-booking messaging and the first session itself are free, with no commitment to continue.