What Is Reduced Fee Therapy?
Private Matters Psychotherapy is a teaching clinic, meaning that we have one or two students per year helping us out in the clinic and working on becoming professional and experienced psychotherapists.
All our students have completed the mandatory coursework for a Master’s Degree program and they are registered with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) as Registered Psychotherapists Qualifying (RPQ).
This means that they are working towards the designation of Registered Psychotherapists and need to fulfil some criteria such as obtaining clinical supervision and acquire a certain amount of supervised client hours.
The Student Therapists start their training program with PMP by shadowing sessions, writing the progress notes, and offering phone consultations. In their second month of their practicum placement, they start opening up their schedules to working with clients.
Our Student Therapists receive weekly supervision and daily check-ins with their supervisor. Their supervisor also reads all their session charts and collaborates with the student on the treatment plan and implementing this treatment plan.
Who You’ll Work With
Reduced fee sessions are offered by student therapists in the final phase of their master’s-level practicum. They’ve completed years of academic training and are now gaining direct clinical experience as part of their professional development. Every student therapist at Private Matters Psychotherapy is carefully selected, oriented to our trauma-informed approach, and receives weekly supervision from a senior clinician on our team.
You won’t be navigating this alone. Behind every student therapist is a supportive, experienced supervisor who reviews cases, offers guidance, and ensures that your care remains thoughtful, ethical, and grounded.
What to Expect from Sessions
Sessions with a student therapist look and feel much like sessions with any other member of our team. You’ll meet regularly, usually once a week-for 60-minute sessions, either virtually or in person depending on availability. Together, you’ll explore what’s been weighing on you, build insight, and work toward meaningful change.
Student therapists are trained in a range of approaches, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies. Every session is supported behind the scenes through clinical supervision, where your therapist receives regular consultation to ensure your care stays focused, supportive, and aligned with best practices.
You don’t need to come in with the perfect words or a fully formed goal. You just need to show up, and we’ll go from there.
Did you know? Every student therapist at PMPTherapy is supported by a licensed clinical supervisor behind the scenes.
What Reduced Fee Therapy Can Help With
Reduced fee therapy isn’t limited to one issue or approach, it’s a flexible, supportive space to work through whatever’s been feeling heavy, confusing, or stuck. Just like full-fee sessions, reduced fee therapy can support you with:
- Anxiety, overthinking, and constant worry
- Low mood, numbness, or lack of motivation
- Stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
- Grief and life transitions
- Relationship or family concerns
- Identity exploration and self-worth
- Patterns you can’t seem to break
- Feeling lost, stuck, or unsure where to begin
Student therapists are trained to meet you with care, curiosity, and structure, no matter what you’re bringing into the room.
What Student Therapists Don’t Work With
While student therapists are skilled, compassionate, and well-supported, there are some situations that fall outside their scope of practice. If your current needs require more advanced clinical support, we’ll help you find the right fit, either within our team or through a trusted referral.
Student therapists are not the right fit if you:
- Are in acute crisis or have active suicidal ideation
- Need reports for legal, family court, or insurance purposes
- Are seeking formal diagnoses
- Have complex dissociation or untreated PTSD
- Require specialized support for eating disorders or substance use
If you’re unsure whether reduced fee therapy is the right fit, a free phone consultation is a great place to start. We’ll help you figure it out, no pressure, no judgment.
Why This Isn’t “Less Than” Therapy
Choosing reduced fee therapy doesn’t mean you’re settling. Our student therapists bring fresh insight, deep empathy, and a strong foundation in evidence-based approaches. They’re here because they care, and because they’ve chosen to train in a clinic that values trauma-informed, high-quality care.
Every session is supported by clinical supervision, meaning your therapist isn’t working in isolation. You’re getting the benefit of two minds-your therapist’s and their supervisor’s, working together to support your growth. This isn’t second-tier care. It’s meaningful therapy, offered with integrity, guidance, and a deep respect for your healing process.
You’re not getting “discount” therapy, you’re getting supported therapy.
Supervised. Supported. Still real therapy.
