STUDENT THERAPIST
PROGRAM
Our training centre
Inner Garden Psychology is a psychology training centre in Toronto. We offer individual psychotherapy provided by graduate-level student therapists, each one working under the close supervision of registered psychologists.
This model allows us to:
Make therapy more accessible through reduced fees
Provide high-quality, well-supported care to clients
Create a thoughtful learning environment for emerging clinicians
If you’re curious about what it means to work with a student therapist—or if you’re a student interested in training with us—this page is for you.
How our training centre works
When you receive services at Inner Garden Psychology, your primary therapist will be a student clinician. This means that they are:
Enrolled in a graduate psychology program
Carefully selected for their skills, readiness, and overall aptitude to work well with clients
Providing therapy as part of their supervised clinical training
In your sessions, you’ll meet directly with your student therapist, just as you would in any therapy relationship.
Behind the scenes, your therapist:
Meets weekly with a registered psychologist for careful and close supervision
Discusses your goals, progress, and treatment plan
Receives guidance about how to best support you
This model of training helps ensure your care is thoughtful, supported, and well monitored, while at the same time producing the highest quality clinicians.
All clinical services in our training clinic are overseen by registered psychologists and psychological associates who:
Provide weekly supervision (individual and/or group)
Support case formulation and treatment planning
Offer feedback on therapeutic approaches and interventions
Monitor that care is ethical, safe, and evidence-informed
Help student therapists reflect on their work and continue to grow
With your consent, supervisors may occasionally review elements of session material (for example, audio or video recordings) for training and quality-assurance purposes. This is done with care, respect, and a deep commitment to confidentiality. Recording of sessions is completely optional and is dependent on your comfort level.
Supervision and quality of care
High quality supervision is at the heart of our model
Who our student therapists are
Emerging clinicians who are engaged, reflective, and supported
Student therapists at Inner Garden Psychology are:
Graduate students in psychology programs
In a practicum, internship placement, or supervised practice placement as part of their degree or registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario
Carefully screened for their aptitude and readiness to provide therapy
Supported to practice within a clear scope that matches their training level
They bring:
Warmth and genuine interest in clients’ experiences
Up-to-date knowledge of evidence-informed approaches
Openness to feedback and reflection
A strong commitment to ethics and professionalism
Clients often describe student therapists as attentive, thoughtful, and very engaged in the therapy process. As they typically have very limited case loads, their focus on you and your care will be paramount.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
What this means for clients
Benefits of working with a student therapist
Working with a student therapist may be a good option if you are seeking:
Lower-fee therapy, compared to typical psychologist rates
A therapist who is actively learning, reading, and reflecting on their work
The added reassurance that your care is being discussed with a senior clinician (i.e., having “two heads on your case” is appealing)
A space that values curiosity, reflection, and collaboration
Your student therapist is not working alone; they are supported by an entire supervisory structure. This means your care benefits from both:
The fresh perspective and presence of a student, and
The experience and oversight of seasoned psychologists behind the scenes
Who student therapist services are best suited for
Mild to moderate concerns
Student-delivered services at Inner Garden Psychology are designed for adults (aged 17+) who are:
Experiencing mild to moderate symptoms
Relatively stable and not in acute crisis
Comfortable with their therapist being in training and supervised
Common areas we support include:
Anxiety, worry, or stress
Mood-related challenges, depression, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed
Self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing
Identity concerns
Life transitions (school, work, relationships, parenthood) and adjustment-related concerns
Women’s Health issues (e.g., pre- and post-partum challenges, perimenopause, fertility struggles)
Obsessive-compulsive tendencies
Emotion regulation difficulties
Relationship patterns and boundary problems
ADHD-related or executive-function challenges
Self-enhancement, self-awareness, and personal growth
As part of our intake process, we review whether student-delivered therapy aligns with your current needs. If it does not, we will suggest alternative options where possible.
“We know what we are but not what we may be”