As one of the earliest schools of psychotherapy in our modern world, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy aims to explore and understand the root causes of symptoms to work on resolving and regulating their effects. With an approach centred around the patient's needs, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy begins with the therapist engaging the patient and building rapport before starting the assessment process. This process involves the therapist inquiring about the patient’s early relationship with their family, early childhood memories, feelings of love, resentment, attachment, rejection, personality characteristics during childhood, and more. Through learning about family dynamics and early character formation, the therapist can learn more about the patient’s unhelpful thinking patterns and their context in life.

You can learn more about Psychodynamic psychotherapy here.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an in-depth form of talk therapy that helps patients explore the underlying emotional, relational, developmental, and unconscious patterns that may contribute to current symptoms or difficulties.

Rather than focusing only on surface-level symptoms, psychodynamic psychotherapy helps patients better understand the roots of their distress, including early relationships, attachment patterns, internal conflicts, defences, and recurring patterns in relationships or self-perception.

At the Centre for Psychodynamic Insights, therapy is collaborative, reflective, and centred on the patient’s needs. The goal is to help patients develop deeper self-understanding, emotional awareness, and long-term psychological change.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an in-depth analytical approach focused on releasing, understanding, and processing unconscious thoughts, emotions, and memories. On the other hand, short-term and present-focused therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), only focus on current symptoms and attempt to 'correct' present symptoms with interventions and little to no discussion of past experiences. This could be distressing to some, especially for patients who express the need to understand the 'what' and 'why' of their past experiences. Psychodynamic psychotherapy offers a collaborative process of thoroughly exploring and analyzing past experiences and present symptoms to help create meaning and context for the present.

Patients who want to understand not only what they are feeling, but why certain patterns keep repeating, may find psychodynamic psychotherapy especially helpful.

No. A referral is not required to begin psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Centre for Psychodynamic Insights.

Patients interested in individual psychotherapy, couples and marriage therapy, or family therapy may book a consultation directly. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is available virtually to patients across Canada.

Some OHIP-covered medical services require a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Psychiatric assessments and psychiatric medication consultations require a referral before an appointment can be scheduled. Referrals can be faxed to:

Fax: +1 (647) 723-0195

Patients may also be asked to complete an intake or request form so our team can gather the information needed to begin the process.

This is for Ontario patients only.

Payments are made by credit card, debit card, Interac e-Transfer, or by financing through Medicard by iFinance. Invoices are provided on the day of the session for insurance purposes.

While psychotherapy services are not covered by OHIP, we are covered by most private insurance providers. Please check with your insurance provider before booking a session to ensure coverage.

Additionally, our psychotherapists are covered for 22 sessions per calendar year if you are eligible for Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).

Our psychotherapists are also IVAC and IFHP-approved providers.

Psychotherapy services are eligible medical expenses that can be claimed on your tax returns every year.

OHIP-covered medical services, including psychiatric assessments, psychiatric medication consultations, family medicine, and neurology, are available only to eligible patients located in Ontario with a valid Ontario Health Card.

Cancellations are accepted within a 48-hour notice. The full session fee is required for sessions cancelled less than 48 hours in advance and for no-show sessions. If your session can be rescheduled within the same week, the cancellation fee will be waived. We also offer one no-fee cancellation per annum.

A standard session is 50 minutes and the intake session is 90 minutes for individual sessions. We also offer extended 75-minute, 90-minute, and 120-minute sessions per your request.

For couples, marriage, and family therapy sessions, a standard session is 75 minutes and the intake session is 90 minutes.

For screener tests, the standard session is 120 minutes.

The frequency of sessions for therapy is usually once a week, but would be determined collaboratively with your therapist in your initial consultation.

Virtual therapy is shown to be as effective as in-person therapy in providing successful therapeutic outcomes. It also offers a convenient and accessible way to address mental health concerns while maintaining privacy. At the Centre for Psychodynamic Insights, we understand that therapy isn’t always easily accessible in-person, especially for those living in remote areas, without access to a vehicle, or with conflicting schedules. Our online sessions provide the same level of care, confidentiality, and connection as in-person appointments, ensuring you can prioritize your mental health no matter your circumstances.

The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights provides services accessible all across Canada, including in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights offers, or will soon offer, select OHIP-covered medical services for eligible Ontario patients.

These services may include:

• Psychiatric assessments

• Psychiatric medication consultations

• Family medicine services

• Neurology services

OHIP-covered services are available only to eligible patients located in Ontario with a valid Ontario Health Card. Some services require a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Yes. Psychiatric assessments are available virtually to eligible patients across Ontario.

A psychiatric assessment is completed by a psychiatrist and may help clarify symptoms, diagnosis, treatment needs, medication options, and next steps in care. This service requires a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Psychiatric assessments are for Ontario patients only. Patients seeking psychodynamic psychotherapy may book a consultation from anywhere in Canada.

Yes. Psychiatric medication consultations are available virtually to eligible patients across Ontario.

This service is provided by a psychiatrist and may involve reviewing current symptoms, medication history, side effects, treatment goals, and whether medication may be appropriate.

Medication is not always recommended and does not replace psychotherapy, and any recommendations are made based on the patient’s clinical needs, history, and preferences.

A referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner is required for psychiatric medication consultations.