Choosing the right fit
Types of Therapists
Embarking on a therapeutic journey can be daunting, especially when faced with the diverse spectrum of therapists. Each therapist brings a unique set of skills and approaches, making it crucial to find the right fit for your individual needs and preferences.
Which one do I need?
-
You may need medication as part of your care.
Psychiatrist -
You need a formal diagnosis for work, court, school or an insurer.
Psychologist -
Neither: you want to talk to someone, and start soon.
Psychotherapist or Social Worker
Psychiatrist
- Can prescribe
- Yes
- Covered by
- OHIP
- Typical wait
- Up to a year
Psychiatrists form a branch of medicine focussing on assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders alone, or as they coexist with other medical or surgical disorders.
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Advantage
The main difference between psychiatrists and other mental health professionals is that psychiatrists are medical doctors and are the only ones who can prescribe medication. If someone has a physical illness and is also depressed, a psychiatrist can understand both, and the service is covered by OHIP.
-
Disadvantage
It can take up to a year to receive a referral, and while psychiatrists may prescribe medication, most do not practice therapy to address cognitive, emotional, and relational impairment.
Psychologist
- Can prescribe
- No
- Covered by
- Extended health insurance
- Can diagnose
- Yes
A psychologist's expertise is focused on how a person behaves, thinks and feels, from a scientific perspective. Like psychiatrists, psychologists can assess and diagnose disorders; however, they are not medical doctors, so they cannot prescribe medicine. They may work as a consultant for medical, education, legal or insurance issues, or work directly with clients in private practice.
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Advantage
Psychologists can provide the diagnosis that insurance companies, courts or education systems require. The service is not covered under OHIP, but may be covered under extended health care insurance plans offered by employers.
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Disadvantage
Wait times to see a psychologist are shorter than for a psychiatrist but can still be long, and fees are generally higher than a psychotherapist's. Insurance plans will sometimes allow a psychologist to supervise treatment instead, to make care more accessible and affordable.
Psychotherapist
- Can prescribe
- No
- Covered by
- Many extended health plans
- Availability
- Usually quick
Like psychiatrists and psychologists, psychotherapists are regulated by a college for training and accountability. They are hands-on practitioners who carry out the therapeutic work face to face with clients, often working with children, teens, adults, couples and families, and sometimes specializing in areas such as trauma, attachment, marriage, or anxiety and depression.
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Advantage
If a diagnosis isn't needed for medical, work or legal reasons, it is usually easier to book an appointment with a psychotherapist, and more cost-effective. Since 2019, many insurance companies recognize psychotherapists and will cover them under work benefit plans.
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Disadvantage
Psychotherapist care is not covered by OHIP and is covered by fewer extended health care providers than psychologist care, and psychotherapists cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.
Compare the differences
| Role | Clients | Payment | Disadvantage | Advantage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | Medical doctor and mental health specialist | Chronic or severe mental health needs | Covered by OHIP | Wait times of up to a year | Can diagnose and prescribe medication; the service is free under OHIP |
| Psychologist | Assesses for education, insurance and court needs, and provides psychological services | Specialized support for a range of issues | Fee for service, or co-pay with extended health care insurance | Higher fees and a longer wait time | Can diagnose; often covered by extended health care insurance |
| Psychotherapist | Conducts therapeutic treatment face to face | Specialized support for a range of issues | Fee for service, or co-pay with extended health care insurance | Cannot diagnose or prescribe medication | Quicker availability and lower fees; covered by many extended health care providers since 2019 |
| Social Worker | Conducts therapeutic treatment face to face | Specialized support for a range of issues | Fee for service, or co-pay with extended health care insurance | Cannot diagnose or prescribe medication | Quicker availability and lower fees |
None of these roles require a referral to book with Bayridge. Our Intake Specialists can help confirm which one fits before you start.
Three Steps to Find Your Therapist
Start with safety
Choose based on health and safety first. The more urgent or chronic the concern, the more a medical doctor or psychiatrist is needed. If it will take months to be seen, begin working with a psychotherapist or psychologist alongside your doctor in the meantime.
Consider a diagnosis
If you need a diagnosis but the risk is lower, or you can't wait to see a psychiatrist, a psychologist can help. If you have extended health care coverage through work, ask your HR department whether it requires a psychologist directly, or accepts a supervised psychotherapist.
Work with a therapist
Once you have a diagnosis, or if your concerns are situational, emotional or relational rather than medical, a psychotherapist or social worker can carry out the ongoing therapeutic work with you.
We'll help you find the right fit
Tell our Intake Specialists what you're working through, and they'll point you to the kind of therapist who fits.
Social Worker
Like psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists, social workers are regulated by a college for training and accountability. They are hands-on practitioners who carry out social interventions, assessments and therapeutic work, often with children, teens, adults, couples and families, and may specialize in areas such as addictions, parenting or emotional regulation.
Advantage
If a diagnosis isn't needed for medical, work or legal reasons, it is usually easier to book an appointment with a social worker, and more cost-effective. Many insurance companies recognize the training and care that social workers provide and will cover them under work benefit plans.
Disadvantage
Social worker care is not covered by OHIP, and social workers cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.