Practitioners
In Canada, there is a wide range of practitioners, services and self-led programs available to help you take care of your mental and emotional health. Certified mental health professions are governed by a regulating body and require specialized training, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and in some regions, psychotherapists.
It’s important to note that in many provinces and territories, anyone can call themselves a counsellor, a therapist or life coach — whether they have formal training or not. Do your research to make sure a service or professional is right for you because even if a professional is certified by a board, this doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for you personally. You can self-refer to a psychologist or any unregulated professionals, but these services are usually not covered by your public health plan. Health plans will cover seeing a psychiatrist, whether for assessment or for treatment.