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. 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.
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.
No. We are happy to assist anyone with their unique challenges and goals.
Therapists operate out of their own location, provide sessions online, or by phone. We are continuously building out our network. Today, our therapists are across Toronto, Durham, Ottawa, Peel, York, Hamilton and Halton Regions. We also offer online video therapy to clients across Ontario.
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 weeks.
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.
Pricing through Layla is transparent. Your initial call and matching is always free. Therapy sessions are $130 per 50 min session for individuals, and $170 per 50 min session for couples counselling. Group therapy prices vary depending on the group. Our 12 week Emotional Regulation Skills training group costs $840 (tax included) while our Recovery Skills Group for Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating costs $755+HST.
Our services are not covered by OHIP, 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) (we do not currently have Psychologists taking clients). 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
Well, a lot. We make suggestions based on information from you and the therapists, but ultimately you make the choice.
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.
Layla understands the wide array of modern work and life schedules, and therefore is happy to arrange appointments anytime day or evening, weekends, and even by virtual means.
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.
Our Client Care Team (not the therapists) currently do not actively work on weekends.
Trying to get a hold of us on the weekend? See if one of these options can help serve you:
- New to Layla? Our secure online system is available at all times, and you can get started here
- Existing client and need to reach your therapist? Please connect with them directly using the information from our communication with you.
- Problem accessing your account or uploading payment information? You can contact tech support on techsupport@layla.care or 1-877-230-7462
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
DBT was first designed for clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, a population characterized by emotion dysregulation. DBT is now widely used to treat other mental health concerns, including anxiety and mood disorders. The comprehensive model of DBT is completed over one year and includes individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching and consultation team. Want to learn more about DBT and how it works? Click here.
The Emotion Regulation Skills Training 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 and Alberta.
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. This pilot group will be limited to up to eight participants.
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.
All sessions will be completed online through Layla’s secure video portal. Participants are required to use a desktop or laptop computer (no mobile phones).
This program is offered at a total of $840 including tax, which covers all 12 sessions / 24 hours of the program. Dylan Zambrano is a Registered Social Worker, and clients will receive a receipt with his license information that may be used for employer benefits reimbursement.
The Recovery Skills 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.
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.
There will be up to 10 participants in each group. Each online group session will be structured with an opening check-in to bring participants into the group session. Each session will include discussion and introduction of a topic or skills. Materials including handouts and worksheets will be provided.
Sessions will be conducted through secure video, and participants will be asked to commit to confidentiality. You have the option to only use your first name with other group members and sessions will not be recorded. This program will include up to 10 participants.
This program is offered at a total of $755+HST, which covers all 12 sessions / 18 hours of the program. Valerie Tsang a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, and clients will receive a receipt with her license information that may be used for employer benefits reimbursement. We encourage you to check your health benefits to verify if you are covered for this type of provider (or let us know if we can help with that).
As you consider joining a therapy group you may notice a variety of emotional reactions arise. It is not unusual for people to experience discomfort, anxiety, or worry when they think about making changes. You may feel anxious about starting a group and joining sessions, especially on the first day, but those feelings will likely decrease throughout the session and with each session you attend. Adjusting to a new experience in a new environment will take time.
Kindness, compassion, respect, and inclusivity, are the core values that frame the conversations in the group. At the first session, ground rules and expectations are reviewed. During each session, the group facilitator will encourage engagement with the materials through psychoeducation and discussion. Participants are welcome to decide when, what, and how much they would like to share within group discussions. The goal is for participants to move through their process at their own pace within a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.
Each session will begin with an opening exercise to bring participants into the space and to bring focus to the topic of the day. Handouts and/or worksheets will be provided prior to the start of each group session. Each session will cover a specific topic or skill and will include discussion to increase understanding as well as foster an environment of support and learning within the group. The session ends with a closing exercise.
There is no homework for this group. Instead, participants are invited to engage with the relevant materials between sessions to solidify their learnings at their own comfort level and pace.
The group facilitator is available to respond to non-urgent questions outside of sessions but is not accessible for emergency or crisis support. You may forward your non-urgent questions to the facilitator via email and expect an answer on group day prior to the start of group. In the event of an emergency or crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department for further assistance.
