Our clients are interested in self-discovery, emotional healing, or are working through a range of challenges that respond well to therapy. For example, these include: stress, anxiety, phobias, depression, mood disorders, borderline personality disorder, self-esteem, anger, addictions, trauma, relationships, family conflict, couples counselling, and life transitions.
At this time, Layla is only able to work with clients who are residents of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Please note that Layla does not provide crisis support. If you or someone else is in crisis and require immediate assistance, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
We require you set up your Layla account with payment information 48 hours before your appointment. This is to ensure that both you and your therapist can make the most of your session time, while also accommodating others seeking support. If you haven’t set up your account within the appointment confirmation window (48 hours of your appointment), your session will be subject to cancellation. However, rest assured we’re here to assist you with rescheduling and will send you reminders of your upcoming session to ensure you’re all set. Should you face challenges or changes with your first session, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at contact@layla.care.
Layla takes your privacy and the security of your information seriously. Electronic personal information shared with Layla is stored in a secure and encrypted way. Video sessions are not recorded. You can learn more about our privacy practices here.
A broad range of healthcare providers (GPs, specialists, wellness professionals, etc) trust us with their patients. You can learn more here
We currently have over 230 therapists working with us across ON, AB, BC, and NS. To learn more about our hiring process and some characteristics of our therapist community, you can visit Our Partner Therapists page.
Several of our therapists offer sessions on weekends, and you can let us know of that preference when you sign up and we will do our best to accommodate.
No, you don’t need a formal referral or diagnosis from another provider. We are happy to assist anyone with their unique challenges and goals.
Yes, Layla offers in-person, walk and talk, virtual, and phone sessions across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Please note that only select therapists are offering in-person and walk and talk therapy. Our current regions for in-person therapy is limited to the following, and we are continuously expanding and growing areas where we offer in-person sessions:
Ontario: Ajax, Arnprior, Barrie, Burlington, Guelph, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket, Oakville, Orillia, Ottawa, Ridgeway, Toronto, Windsor, Woodbridge
Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Sherwood Park
British Columbia: Abbotsford, Victoria, Vancouver
Nova Scotia: Halifax
Layla has therapists available virtually for anywhere you are in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, that may be matched to your specific needs. If you would like more information, please contact us at info@layla.care.
All sessions will be completed online through Layla’s secure video portal. Participants are encouraged to use a desktop or laptop computer, for the best user experience. Our Layla Platform for therapy sessions can be accessed on the following devices listed here.
Planning to travel? Participants must attend virtual sessions from the province listed on their home address when they registered for group. This is because the group facilitator must be registered to practice in the province where the client is attending group sessions.
Our therapists operate out of their own location, provide sessions in-person, online, or by phone. Today, our therapists are located in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia across many cities: Toronto, Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ajax, Barrie, Beamsville, Brampton, Burlington, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Petawawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, St. Catherines, Thornhill, Vaughan, Whitby, and Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Sherwood Park, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax and many more.
We are continuously building out our community.
The DBT Skills program is designed for adults over the age of 18 whose emotions (i.e. fear, anger, shame, sadness, guilt) and thoughts interfere with their overall quality of life. In other words, people whose mental health challenges are characterized by emotion dysregulation.
In advance of registering for the program, the Layla team can help you assess fit for this program.
At this time, the program is open to residents of Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based methods and each specializes in certain approaches. Most commonly, these include: cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), mindfulness-based, trauma-focused, psychodynamic, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). We certainly do not expect clients going into therapy to understand how these approaches work, and we are happy to provide them with information on these and other methods.
The Recovery Skills for Eating Disorder group is designed for adults over the age of 18 who are affected by an Eating Disorder or disordered eating impacting their wellness and quality of life. Participants may have a diagnosis of Bulimia, Anorexia, Binge Eating, or other eating disorders, or may more broadly struggle with their relationship to food, eating, and weight.
In advance of registering for the program, the Layla team will help you assess fit for this program. This will include a short phone call so you will have a chance to ask any questions you might have as well.
At this time, the program is open to residents of Ontario.
Walk and Talk Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that includes walking outdoors. It is a great alternative for individuals who prefer a different option to the tradition office setting and provides a unique opportunity to experience nature alongside the session.
Layla understands the wide array of modern work and life schedules, and therefore is happy to arrange appointments anytime day or evening, weekends, and by virtual means.
Individual and Couples Therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes long. In some cases, your first session with the therapist will be a little longer.
Therapy can range from short-term to longer term depending on the client’s case and their goals. This can be discussed with your therapist, and the two of you can always collaboratively assess your timeline and progression.
Group Therapy sessions vary in length but typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours. Our current group programs typically last for 12 or 24 weeks.
There will be up to 10 participants in each group. Each online group session will be structured with an opening mindfulness practice. Each session will include the introduction of new skills, discussion, examples, and homework practice review. Materials including handouts and worksheets will be provided prior to the start of each group.
Sessions will be conducted through secure video, and participants will be asked to commit to confidentiality. Only your first name will be used with other group members, and sessions will not be recorded. This program will include up to 10 participants.
The whole motivation behind Layla is reducing stress, not adding to it. Simply let us know and we will pair you with another therapist, of course accounting for what wasn’t quite working with the previous one. We would be very interested in client feedback in instances such as these, as we want our matching to be constantly evolving to better serve clients.
Your therapist reserves your session time for you, but we understand that your schedule changes. We have a 24 hour cancellation or change policy to avoid being charged for your appointment. You may cancel your session online or by informing your therapist by phone or email.
Layla's services are available to adults, couples, and teenagers. We have a few therapists who work with children under the age of 12. Please reach out to inquire.
Well, a lot. We make suggestions based on information from you and the therapists, but ultimately you make the choice.
Our services are not covered by OHIP/AHCIP/MSP/MSI, but most extended health plans cover some of the professional designations licensed to conduct therapy. Each plan is unique. If you’re planning on using your extended health benefits, we highly recommend you check your coverage in advance of the call so that we can connect you to the right provider.
Here’s what to look for: In your benefits booklet, insurance portal, or when you speak to an insurance representative specifically look for coverage for either 1. Registered Social Workers, or 2. Registered Psychotherapists (RP) or Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT), or 3. Psychologists. If you need our help in checking benefits, please let us know on the phone and we’ll gladly do what we can.
If affordability is a barrier for you, you may find these community-based alternatives helpful
Layla has partnered with Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) to offer funding for owners and employees of small businesses affected by the pandemic (upto 8 sessions covered for individual therapy or a complete group offered by Layla). Learn more about our offering here. To confirm eligibility, please complete our eligibility evaluation here. Additionally, you may find these community-based alternatives helpful.
