Struggling to find a BIPOC therapist in Canada who truly gets it? Here’s how to find anti-oppressive, culturally responsive therapy without explaining yourself first.
You Shouldn’t Have to Explain Yourself to Heal
You’ve been searching for weeks. Maybe months.
You’ve scrolled through page after page of therapist profiles on general directories. You’ve read bios that mention “diversity” and “cultural sensitivity.” You’ve booked consultations, hoping this one will understand what it’s like to navigate micro-aggressions at work, to carry intergenerational trauma, to code-switch between worlds.
And then, in that first session, you find yourself doing what you always do: explaining. Educating. Translating your lived experience for someone who nods politely but doesn’t get it. You’re paying to teach them about micro-aggressions, code-switching, intergenerational trauma – things they would already understand if they shared your lived experience – even just in part. You leave without tools. Just exhausted. And a little lighter in the wallet.
Finding a BIPOC therapist who truly understands your lived experience shouldn’t be this hard – or costly.
The truth is, most therapist directories weren’t built with values-led Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Colour (BIPOC) in mind. They weren’t designed to filter for the things that actually matter when you’re a BIPOC seeking therapy in Canada – things like anti-oppressive values, understanding of racial trauma, or a commitment to disrupting power dynamics in the therapy room.
Here’s the good news: There is a better way to find a therapist who gets it. And it starts with knowing what to look for and where to look.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to find a BIPOC therapist in Canada who aligns with your values, understands your context, and creates the kind of safe space where you can actually heal – without having to spend more time explaining than figuring out solutions.
What Makes a BIPOC Therapist Directory Different?
Not all therapist directories are created equal.
General therapist directories (the ones that dominate search results) typically ask therapists about their specialties, who they work with, and what languages they speak—but not about their values. Let alone whether they practice from an anti-oppressive framework.
BIPOC-centered therapist directories, on the other hand, are built specifically to connect you with therapists who:
- Are BIPOC themselves (and understand lived experience from the inside)
- Commit to anti-oppressive values (not just cultural competence training)
- Center your dignity and agency (rather than pathologizing your experiences)
- Actively work to disrupt power in the therapy room (because therapy itself can replicate colonial dynamics)
At Healing in Colour, every therapist listed has agreed to our Statement of Values, which includes being:
- Pro-queer, pro-trans, pro-Black, pro-Indigenous, and anti-colonial
- Non-pathologizing (respecting your dignity and agency in all intersections)
- Accountable to the communities they serve (not just extracting from them)
This isn’t about a checkbox. It’s about alignment – finding a therapist who doesn’t just read a book or take training on your identities and values, but who affirms and centers them.
7 Questions to Ask When Searching for a BIPOC Therapist
Whether you’re using Healing in Colour or another values-based directory, here’s what to look for:
1. Are they BIPOC themselves?
Shared lived experience matters. A BIPOC therapist is more likely to understand racial trauma, microaggressions, code-switching, and navigating predominantly white spaces—without you having to educate them.
However: Identity alone isn’t enough. A BIPOC therapist who hasn’t done their own anti-oppressive work can still replicate harm. Which brings us to…
2. Do they practice from an anti-oppressive framework?
Ask: “What does anti-oppressive practice mean to you?”
Anti-oppressive therapy acknowledges that your struggles aren’t just personal—they’re shaped by systemic racism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression. A good therapist names these systems instead of pathologizing you for struggling within them.
Red flags: Therapists who focus only on “individual resilience” without addressing systemic barriers, or who avoid talking about race/power altogether.
3. Do they understand intersectionality?
You’re not just Black, or just queer, or just an immigrant. You hold multiple identities that intersect and shape your experience.
Look for therapists who:
- Explicitly name the identities they work with (e.g., “I work with Black queer women navigating workplace discrimination”)
- Understand how oppression compounds (racism + sexism + homophobia, etc.)
- Don’t ask you to compartmentalize parts of yourself
- Don’t just focus on your identities from a marginalized perspective, but also help you find the strengths in them that colonial norms have covered up
4. What are their specialties?
BIPOC communities face unique mental health challenges. Look for therapists who specialize in:
- Racial trauma and race-based stress
- Intergenerational/ancestral trauma
- Immigration and displacement
- Identity exploration (bicultural identity, third culture kids, etc.)
- Community and collective healing (not just individual therapy)
5. Do they offer sliding scale or accept your insurance?
Therapy shouldn’t only be accessible to the wealthy—and many BIPOC therapists know this firsthand. Because of racism, sexism, and economic inequity, BIPOC communities often have less access to intergenerational wealth and equitable job opportunities. That’s why many therapists in our directory offer sliding scale fees to reduce barriers to care.
On Healing in Colour, you can filter by:
- Sliding scale availability
- Insurance providers accepted
- Session fees
Affordability matters—and therapists committed to justice often build this into their practice.
6. Are they available in your preferred format?
Post-pandemic, many therapists offer online sessions, which expands your options significantly.
Consider:
- In-person therapy (if you prefer face-to-face and they’re in your city)
- Online/virtual therapy (access therapists anywhere in your province)
- Phone sessions (for those who find video draining)
7. Do they actively disrupt power in the therapy room?
Traditional therapy can replicate colonial power dynamics—the “expert” therapist analyzing the “patient.”
Anti-oppressive therapists:
- Acknowledge their own privileges and biases
- Collaborate with you (you’re the expert on your life)
- Share power in goal-setting and treatment planning
- Invite feedback and accountability
Ask in a consultation: “How do you approach power dynamics in therapy?”
Their answer will help you better understand their anti-oppressive practice.
How to Search for a BIPOC Therapist on Healing in Colour
Here’s the step-by-step process to find your therapist:
Step 1: Visit the Therapist Directory
Go to healingincolour.com/therapist-directory
Step 2: Filter by Location
Select your city or province:
- Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, etc.)
- British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, etc.)
- Quebec (Montreal, etc.)
- Other provinces across Canada
Pro tip: If you’re open to online therapy, you can search province-wide for more options.
Step 3: Filter by Specialty
Look for therapists who specialize in what you need:
- Anxiety, depression, trauma
- Racial trauma, intergenerational trauma
- LGBTQ+ affirming care
- Immigration and displacement
- Couples or family therapy
Step 4: Filter by Practical Needs
- Sliding scale: Yes/No
- Session format: In-person, online, phone
- Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, etc.
- Insurance accepted
Step 5: Read Therapist Profiles
Click on therapists who match your filters. Read their:
- About section (do they name anti-oppressive values?)
- Specialties (do they understand your specific needs?)
- Approach (what modalities do they use?)
Step 6: Book a Consultation
Most therapists offer a free 15-20 minute consultation. Use this to ask the questions above and see if it feels like a good fit.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, keep looking.
Red Flags: When a “BIPOC Therapist” Might Not Be the Right Fit
Just because a therapist is BIPOC doesn’t automatically mean they’re the right fit. Watch for these red flags:
- They avoid talking about race or systemic oppression (“Let’s focus on what you can control”)
- They pathologize normal responses to oppression (diagnosing you with anxiety when you’re experiencing racial trauma)
- They don’t acknowledge their own privileges (e.g., a light-complexion BIPOC therapist working with darker-complexion clients without naming colorism)
- They center their own experience over yours (“When I experienced discrimination…”)
- They don’t invite feedback or accountability (power imbalance feels rigid)
Trust yourself. If it doesn’t feel right, keep looking. You’re not “too picky”—you’re protecting your healing.
Why Healing in Colour is Different: Our Statement of Values
At Healing in Colour, we don’t just list BIPOC therapists. We screen for values alignment.
Every therapist in our directory has agreed to our Statement of Values, which means they commit to:
- Being BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour)
- Anti-oppressive values in their practice
- Pro-queer, pro-trans, pro-sex worker, pro-Black, pro-Indigenous, and anti-colonial positions
- Actively working to disrupt power in the therapy room
- Being responsible and accountable to the communities they serve
- Non-pathologizing approaches that respect your dignity and agency in all intersections
This isn’t a diversity checkbox. It’s a commitment to justice.
When you search Healing in Colour, you’re not just finding a BIPOC therapist—you’re finding a therapist who has publicly committed to anti-oppressive practice.
Read our full Statement of Values HERE
Checklist: 10 Steps to Finding Your BIPOC Therapist in Canada
Use this checklist as you search:
- [ ] Step 1: Identify what you need (specialties: trauma, anxiety, identity, etc.)
- [ ] Step 2: Decide on format (in-person, online, phone)
- [ ] Step 3: Set your budget (insurance, sliding scale, out-of-pocket)
- [ ] Step 4: Visit a BIPOC-centered directory (like Healing in Colour)
- [ ] Step 5: Filter by location, specialty, and practical needs
- [ ] Step 6: Read 3-5 therapist profiles that resonate
- [ ] Step 7: Book free consultations with 2-3 therapists
- [ ] Step 8: Ask the 7 questions from this guide (anti-oppressive practice, intersectionality, etc.)
- [ ] Step 9: Trust your gut—does this feel like a safe space?
- [ ] Step 10: Book your first session and give it 3-4 sessions to assess fit
FAQ: Finding a BIPOC Therapist in Canada
A: A BIPOC therapist is more likely to understand your lived experience without needing education. They get racial trauma, microaggressions, code-switching, and navigating predominantly white spaces. However, identity alone isn’t enough—values alignment (anti-oppressive practice) matters just as much.
A: Cultural competence often means a therapist has taken a training or workshop on diversity. Anti-oppressive practice means they actively work to disrupt systemic power, name oppression, and hold themselves accountable to marginalized communities. It’s the difference between tolerance and transformation.
A: Yes! On Healing in Colour, you can filter by insurance providers. Many therapists also offer sliding scale fees if insurance doesn’t cover therapy or if you’re uninsured.
A: Consider online therapy! Many therapists offer virtual sessions across their entire province. For example, a therapist based in Toronto can see clients anywhere in Ontario. This dramatically expands your options.
A: Ask: “What does anti-oppressive practice mean to you?” Their answer should include:
– Naming systemic oppression (racism, colonialism, etc.)
– Acknowledging their own privileges
– Describing how they disrupt power in the therapy room
– Commitment to accountability
If they give vague answers like “I treat everyone the same,” that’s a red flag.
A: It’s completely normal to “therapist shop.” Not every therapist will be the right fit, even if they’re BIPOC and anti-oppressive. Give it 3-4 sessions to assess, but trust your gut—if something feels off, keep looking. You deserve to feel safe and seen.
A: Availability varies. Therapist profiles will indicate if they’re accepting new clients. If your top choice isn’t available, ask to be added to their waitlist or search for similar therapists on the directory.
A: Therapy in Canada typically ranges from $120-$250 per session. However:
– Many therapists offer sliding scale ($60-$120 based on income)
– Some accept insurance (check your benefits)
– Student therapists often charge lower rates ($40-$80)
On Healing in Colour, you can filter by sliding scale and insurance to find affordable options.
You Deserve Therapy That Sees You
Here’s what we know:
You’ve been carrying weight that isn’t yours to carry. You’ve been navigating systems that weren’t built for you. You’ve been explaining yourself in spaces where you should be able to just be.
Therapy shouldn’t be one more place where you have to translate your experience.
Finding a BIPOC therapist who practices from an anti-oppressive framework—who truly gets it—can be the difference between surviving a broken system and healing from a broken system. Between managing symptoms and addressing root causes. Between feeling seen and feeling scrutinized.
You deserve a therapist who:
- Understands racial trauma without you having to explain it
- Sees your strength, not just your struggle
- Names the systems that harm you, rather than pathologizing your response to harm
- Creates a space where all of you is welcome—your rage, your grief, your joy, your complexity
That therapist exists. And they’re waiting for you.
Ready to Find Your Therapist?
Search the Healing in Colour directory now:
👉 Find a BIPOC Therapist in Canada →
Filter by:
- Location (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or anywhere in Canada)
- Specialty (trauma, anxiety, identity, couples therapy, etc.)
- Sliding scale (affordable options available)
- Insurance (find therapists who accept your plan)
- Language (therapy in your preferred language)
Every therapist listed has committed to anti-oppressive, BIPOC-centered practice. No more guessing. No more explaining.
Your healing matters. Start here.
Additional Resources
Related articles:
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About Healing in Colour
Healing in Colour is a directory of BIPOC therapists and allied professionals across Canada who are committed to anti-oppressive values. We envision a world where BIPOC, in all our intersections, have access to therapy that supports our healing and liberation.
Learn more: About Us | Our Statement of Values