Find answers to common questions about our services, booking process, privacy, and more.
Yes — 100% free, no credit card, no commitment required. The call is simply an opportunity for you to share what you're looking for and for us to make sure we're the right fit before moving forward.
Yes. All our social workers are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and all our psychotherapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). You can verify any practitioner's registration through their respective college's public register.
Yes. All counselling sessions are conducted securely online using a private, encrypted video platform. This allows you to access professional support from anywhere in Ontario — no travel required.
If you are in crisis, please call 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), go to your nearest emergency department, or call 911. Our practice is not an emergency or crisis service, and we are unable to guarantee same-day responses. If you are safe but need support soon, please reach out and we will do our best to connect you quickly.
We support individuals, youth, seniors, newcomers, refugees, and families across Ontario. Whether you're navigating a life transition, managing stress or anxiety, processing grief, or looking for culturally sensitive support, our team is here to help.
Both are regulated mental health professionals in Ontario. Registered Social Workers (RSW) are trained to support individuals within the context of their environment — including systems navigation, advocacy, and counselling. Registered Psychotherapists (RP) focus primarily on talk therapy using evidence-based therapeutic modalities. At Hello Social Workers, both work collaboratively to provide holistic care.
Yes. Several of our practitioners offer couples and family sessions. During your free introductory call, we'll match you with a practitioner who specializes in the type of relational support you're looking for.
Trauma-informed care means your practitioner is trained to recognize the impact of past trauma on your present well-being. Sessions are structured to prioritize your safety, autonomy, and comfort — you'll never be pushed to discuss anything before you're ready.
Absolutely. Your needs may evolve over time, and we're here to support that. If you feel a different service area or practitioner would be a better fit, just let us know and we'll help make the transition smooth.
Yes. Our team collectively speaks English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Yoruba, Igbo, Russian, Ukrainian, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Click 'Book a Free 15-Min Call' anywhere on our site. Fill out a short form and we'll reach out within 48 hours to schedule your introductory call at a time that works for you.
We typically confirm free introductory calls within 48 hours of your request. Ongoing sessions are usually scheduled within one to two weeks after your introductory call, depending on practitioner availability.
It's a relaxed, no-pressure conversation. You'll have the chance to share what's on your mind, ask questions, and get a sense of whether our services and your matched practitioner feel like the right fit. There's no obligation to continue.
Yes. Parents and caregivers often book on behalf of a family member. Just let us know during the booking process and we'll guide you through the next steps.
No problem — just reach out as soon as you can. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or reschedules so we can offer the time to another client. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee.
Yes. Everything you share with us is confidential and protected under Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Your information will never be shared without your explicit written consent, except in the limited circumstances required by law.
As an Ontario-based practice, we follow Ontario's PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act), which governs how personal health information is collected, used, and disclosed. Our virtual platform and record-keeping systems meet or exceed PHIPA requirements.
No — we do not share that you're a client with your employer or insurance company unless you explicitly ask us to (for example, to submit a receipt for reimbursement). Your participation is entirely private.
Confidentiality has a few legal exceptions. Your practitioner is required to break confidentiality if there is an imminent risk of harm to you or someone else, if there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person, or if records are subpoenaed by a court. Your practitioner will explain these limits clearly at the start of your work together.
Client records are stored securely using encrypted, PHIPA-compliant systems hosted in Canada. Access is restricted to your assigned practitioner and authorized administrative staff only. We follow best practices for data security and conduct regular reviews of our systems.
Most individual sessions are 50 minutes. Couples and family sessions may run 60 to 75 minutes depending on the practitioner and the nature of the work. Session length will be confirmed when you book.
Weekly or biweekly sessions are most common, especially at the beginning. As you progress, you and your practitioner may decide to space sessions further apart. The frequency is always based on your needs and comfort level.
Your first session focuses on getting to know you — your background, what brought you to therapy, and what you're hoping to work on. Your practitioner will ask questions, listen carefully, and begin to outline a plan together. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with.
Our practitioners draw on a range of evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), narrative therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based techniques, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Your practitioner will tailor the approach to your specific needs.
The relationship between you and your practitioner matters more than any technique. If you don't feel the fit is right, please let us know — we can connect you with another team member without any awkwardness or judgment. Finding the right match is part of the process.
Yes. We offer tiered and sliding-scale pricing to help make our services accessible. If cost is a barrier, please let us know during your introductory call and we'll do our best to find an option that works for you.
Standard session fees are in line with OCSWSSW and CRPO fee guidelines for registered practitioners in Ontario. Exact fees vary by practitioner and session type. We'll provide full fee details before you commit to any sessions.
Many of our practitioners offer direct billing to select insurance providers. During your introductory call, let us know your insurance details and we'll confirm whether direct billing is available for your plan.
We accept e-transfer and major credit cards. Payment details and timing will be confirmed before your first session.
OHIP does not cover services provided by RSW or RP in private practice. However, many extended health insurance plans through employers do cover registered social work and psychotherapy services. Check with your insurance provider for your specific coverage details.