Depression Therapy in Ontario: Feel Hopeful Again
Online therapy for depression in Toronto, Mississauga and across Ontario. When everything feels heavy, you don't have to carry it alone.
"I'm not sure why I feel this way"
We hear this a lot. Maybe you feel stuck, and you just don't want to feel so low anymore. Maybe nothing "bad" happened, and you still can't shake the heaviness.
You don't need to know why before you reach out. Figuring that out is part of what we do together.
Depression can show up for anyone, at any age and any stage of life. You might notice:
Feeling sad, empty or emotionally numb
Motivation that just isn't there
Getting stuck in negative thought cycles
Feeling exhausted, even when you're resting
Losing interest in people or hobbies you used to enjoy
Being harder on yourself than ever
Feeling like a burden to the people around you
Struggling with everyday things, like cleaning or taking care of yourself
Most of all, feeling hopeless
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and it can get better.
What depression can look like
Types of depression we help with:
Postpartum depression Having a baby can bring up feelings no one warned you about: sadness, numbness, guilt, or feeling disconnected from yourself or your baby. Alia and Rida both work with new and expecting mothers. Prenatal & postpartum support
Situational depression Sometimes depression follows a big life change: a breakup, losing someone you love, or a career change like a layoff. We help you work through the loss and find your footing again.
Persistent depression For some people, the low mood isn't new. It's been there for a long time, quietly, and you may not remember feeling any other way. You don't have to accept that as "just how you are."
Seasonal depression Living in Ontario, the short days and cold weather can make everything feel heavier. Because seasonal depression is so connected to when the sun sets, routine is key to keeping your mood from dipping deeper. We recommend starting before the darker months so we can build a routine together. If you're already in it, that's okay. We'll help you set routines from where you are.
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) If your mood drops sharply at certain points in your cycle, cycle tracking is an important part of the work. Together we'll understand your patterns and come up with a game plan for each phase of your cycle.
Depression and anxiety together Depression and anxiety often show up together. Our therapists work with both, so you don't need separate support for each. Anxiety therapy
Why People Across Ontario Trust The Therapy Couch
Since 2023, we've supported 300+ clients, most of them South Asian women working through family pressure, marriage, boundaries and burnout. Every therapist on our team is a South Asian woman who understands the balance you're trying to find.
300+ clients supported since 2023
We have many years of experience as therapists
Registered Psychotherapists and RPs (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Evening and weekend sessions to fit around work and family
The right fit matters. If it doesn't feel right, you can switch to another therapist on our team.
Sliding-scale fees with every therapist
We service clients across Ontario, online. Whether you're in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Markham, Burlington, Milton, Ajax, Whitby or Pickering, you can meet with us by secure video from wherever you feel comfortable.
Depression vs. burnout
They can feel a lot alike: exhausted, unmotivated, disconnected. A lot of our clients aren't sure which one they're dealing with, and sometimes it's both.
| Burnout | Depression | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it shows up | Mostly tied to work, school or caregiving | Shows up in every part of life |
| Rest and time off | A break usually helps you feel better | Rest often doesn't lift the heaviness |
| Things you enjoy | Still enjoy life outside the source of stress | Lose interest in people and hobbies you used to enjoy |
| How you see yourself | Frustrated or cynical about the situation | Harder on yourself; may feel like a burden |
| Outlook | "I need this to change" | Feeling hopeless about the future |
Burnout that goes on for a long time can turn into depression. You don't need to know which it is before you reach out. We'll figure it out together and work on what's really going on.
Depression isn't something you have to hide
A lot of our South Asian clients tell us they haven't felt understood at home. They've been told to solve it on their own, pray it away, sleep more or eat better. Therapy is rarely the path anyone suggests.
We want you to know: depression doesn't have to be stigmatized. It's okay to feel down, and it's okay to want to talk to someone about everything you're feeling. Our therapists are South Asian women too. We get it, without judgment.
How we work with depression
Depression is rarely just sadness. There's usually a mix of other feelings underneath. Your therapist will tailor sessions to you, drawing on:
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
We explore the emotions that are really coming up for you, beyond the sadness, so you can understand and move through them.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
We help you shift how you think about sadness, fatigue and disconnection, so you feel more in control of your life.
We look at depression as something separate from you, not who you are. Together we map how it has affected your relationships, self-worth, energy, and work or school. Then we look for the exceptions: moments of joy, and the values that matter to you. We build on those so you can move toward more of them.
Narrative therapy
What we hope for you
Feeling hopeful about your future again
Feeling more at ease in your present
Relief from the sadness and emptiness
Your energy coming back, so daily life feels doable
Tools you can use to help yourself, long after therapy
Meet the Clinicians
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Maryum Rahman-Registered Psychotherapist, MA.
Languages: Hindi and Urdu
Offers virtual therapy
Works with: Individuals and Couples
Specialities: Anxiety, family issues, marriage counselling and depression
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Rida Ahmad-Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA
Languages: Hindi and Urdu
Offers virtual therapy
Works with: Individuals
Specialities: anxiety, self doubt, caregiver burnout, depression and postpartum mothers
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Sukhmeet Brar Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP
Languages: Hindi and Punjabi
Offers virtual therapy and In person
Works with: Individuals
Specialities: anxiety, family issues, depression, low self esteem, and burnout
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Alia Siddiqi Registered Psychotherapist, MC
Languages: Hindi and Urdu
Offers virtual therapy
Works with: Individuals and Couples
Specialities: Life transitions, burnout, family issues, depression and anxiety
Our Step-By-Step Therapy Process
Step 1: Reach Out
Book online, submit a form or call (416)-710-1381. Tell us a little about what's going on, in your relationship or with family, friends, or work and whether you're coming as a couple or on your own.
Step 2: The Free 15-Minute Consult
We'll talk about what's going on. In your relationship or with family, friends, or work and answer your questions. No pressure, no commitment.
Step 3: Your First Session
We'll explore what's bringing you in, the patterns you keep running into, and what you want to change. Together, we'll set clear goals for your work.
Step 4: Ongoing Sessions
Sessions are virtual, from anywhere in Ontario. We use an integrative approach to help you reach your goals, working on what's underneath the conflict and giving you practical tools to use between sessions. Book and manage appointments through our Client Portal.
Step 5: Moving Forward
Every journey is different. Some clients feel relief within a few months; others choose longer-term therapy to keep growing. You decide the pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If the sadness, numbness, low energy or hopelessness has lasted more than a couple of weeks and is getting in the way of daily life, it's worth talking to someone. You don't need a diagnosis to start therapy.
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Yes. Many people come to us not knowing why. Understanding what's underneath is part of the work we do together.
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Our therapists use Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy, tailored to you.
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Yes. Online sessions can be just as helpful as in-person ones, and they're easier to keep up when your energy is low, since you don't have to leave home.
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Yes. Many of our South Asian clients haven't felt understood at home. Your sessions are private and confidential, except in the rare cases the law requires, such as a serious risk of harm.
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No. Psychotherapists don't prescribe medication. If you're thinking about medication, talk to your family doctor. Many people do both.
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$180 for a 60-minute session. Sliding-scale fees are available with every therapist, and we provide receipts for insurance.
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It varies a lot from person to person. Some people come for a shorter stretch to get through a specific change; others choose longer-term support. You decide the pace with your therapist.
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Call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time, 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Therapy is not an emergency service.
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No. OHIP doesn't cover sessions with Registered Psychotherapists, but many extended health benefit plans do. We provide receipts you can submit to your insurer, and sliding-scale fees are available.
How to Get Started?
Start with a free consultation. Ask your questions and see if we’re the right fit. Book online with the Book a Free Consult button below, or send us a message using the form.
Other ways to connect with us:
Call us: (416)-710-1381
Email us: admin@therapycouch.ca
Ready to talk? Book a free 15-minute consult. No pressure to commit.