In active development — launching Q2 2026
Find the Right Provider
Confused about whether you need a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counsellor? Here's a quick comparison of the four most common provider types in Canada and the US.
Psychiatrist
Medical doctor (MD)
Can prescribe: Yes
Best for: Complex mental health conditions requiring medication management, psychotic disorders, severe depression, bipolar.
Coverage (Canada): Covered by provincial health plans (OHIP, MSP, etc.) with a referral.
Coverage (US): Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychiatric care (80% after deductible) for 65+/disabled nationwide; Medicaid coverage varies by state; community mental health centers offer sliding-scale access.
Psychologist
PhD or PsyD
Can prescribe: No (in most jurisdictions; some US states allow prescribing psychologists)
Best for: Psychotherapy, formal assessment and diagnosis, evidence-based therapy modalities (CBT, ACT, DBT).
Coverage (Canada): Coverage varies by province; often covered by employer benefits.
Coverage (US): Commonly covered by insurance for diagnosed conditions (in-network vs out-of-network affects cost); Medicare Part B covers clinical psychologists; Medicaid varies by state; sliding-scale and community clinics available.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW / MSW)
Master's in social work
Can prescribe: No
Best for: Therapy for life transitions, grief, family systems, case management, navigating community resources.
Coverage (Canada): Typically not covered by provincial plans; often covered by employer benefits.
Coverage (US): Commonly covered by private insurance and Medicaid; widely available through community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs); Medicare covers LCSWs for mental health.
Counsellor / Therapist
Master's-level (MA, MEd, MACP)
Can prescribe: No
Best for: Talk therapy, life transitions, relationship work, stress management, mild-to-moderate concerns.
Coverage (Canada): Typically not covered by provincial plans; check employer benefits.
Coverage (US): Variable insurance coverage depending on licensure (LPC, LMFT, etc.); not covered by Medicare; Medicaid varies; sliding-scale widely available.
The full provider directory will include a decision tree, sample questions to ask on a first call, and Canadian and US crisis resources.
Read our methodology