Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs) perform various services to help children, adolescents, and young adults, which include: assessing maladaptive behaviour patterns and socio-emotional functioning in children, adolescents, and young adults; helping with the prevention and treatment of conditions in the individual, family, and community, in order to develop, maintain, and promote emotional, social, behavioural, and interpersonal wellbeing within the context of daily living. (adapted from the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counselors).

They may work in private practice, or with an organization such as a hospital, school, or community agency.

Counselors are professionals that help by providing 'counselling', which means giving advice, support or direction for individuals to cope with their difficulties, or reach their goals.

Family physicians and pediatricians provide a great deal of mental health services for their patients, in addition to standard medical care. In cases where a patient requires more specialized care, a family physician or pediatrician can give advice on where to go for additional help and support.

A marriage, couple and family therapist specializes in helping concerns and problems in couple or family relationships.

Marriage, couple and family therapy can be given by any professional that has sufficient training, which usually tends to be social workers, psychologists or psychiatrists.

Unlike traditional therapy where the therapist just meets with the individual, family counselling and therapy is where the therapist meets with the individual and one or more more family members. The idea is that no matter what the difficulty is, others in the family are part of the solution and thus need to be involved in the therapy or treatment.

Occupational therapists (OT) help people function in school or work through learning skills, or by adapting their work or school environment. OTs can assist with mental health by teaching sensory processing and self-regulation strategies; help with fine and gross motor.

OTs usually work with organizations such as schools or through the school board, and some also work in private practices.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have received specialized training in diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. They are trained to provide psychotherapy as well as prescribe medications.

Psychiatrists work with hospitals and other agencies. Many also work independently on their own in "private practice." Because physicians are funded by government health programs, one does not need to pay any fees, even for those in private practice.

If you are thinking about seeing a psychiatrist, you should first speak to your (family) doctor to ask about whether seeing a psychiatrist would be helpful. Seeing a psychiatrist requires a referral from a physician.

Psychologists and psychological associates help people solve problems with mood, behaviour or relationships. They perform assessment of, and provide diagnoses and treatment of mental health difficulties for children, adults, couples, and families who present with cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges. They also perform psychoeducational testing for individuals with learning difficulties. They may use therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), behavioural therapies.

They may work as part of an agency, or in "private practice" (which means they will require payment from the client, or the client's private or work insurance).

Social workers help people to deal with problems in their personal, family or work life. They help by providing counselling or therapy, or by helping people find necessary resources. Social workers can work in many settings, including family services agencies, children's aid agencies, hospitals, and schools. Many social workers also work in private practice.

Speech and language pathologists (SLP) are professionals who work with individuals having specific specific needs with speech and language, and may also help with feeding and swallowing issues.