Affordable Counselling
Affordable Counselling in Barrie, Ontario
At Mind 2 Heart Connections, we understand that accessing affordable mental health services is essential. That’s why we offer affordable counselling for individuals and families in Barrie, Ontario, and surrounding areas. We are committed to providing high-quality, accessible therapy for everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.

Why Choose Affordable Counseling at Mind 2 Heart?
Our affordable counselling services are delivered by Master of Social Work (MSW) students and Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) who have completed the academic portion of their graduate studies. These interns receive weekly supervision from our founder, Laura Banks, RSW, MSW, to ensure they provide professional and compassionate care. Each session is available at an affordable rate offering effective therapy at a lower cost.
We offer in-person counseling in Barrie or virtual therapy sessions, giving you flexibility to
choose the format that works best for you.
We are here to help both you and your child find relief and
build a more hopeful future together.
These dedicated professionals have completed the coursework component of their education and are now gaining hands-on experience. With weekly supervision and access to up-to-date therapeutic techniques, they provide care that is informed, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs.
How Our Interns Can Help

Our interns are equipped to help with a variety of mental health challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress management
- Depression and mood disorders
- ADHD and autism support
- Communication skills and building social skills
- Grief and loss, navigating difficult emotions
- Anger management and emotional regulation
- Low self-esteem and building self-worth
Affordable Therapy Offers 3 Options
At Mind 2 Heart Connections, we believe that everyone deserves access to affordable therapy, no matter their financial situation. To make our services more accessible, we offer three flexible options to accommodate different needs:
This option is ideal for clients who meet the following criteria:
- Be 10 years or older
- Have no or limited access to extended health care benefits
- Be able to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-personorvirtual).
- Understand that once the therapist completes their internship, they will no longer be able to offer reduced-rate services
- Financial strain


For clients with access to extended health care benefits, we offer sessions at $130.00 per hour. This option is available for clients who:
- Are 7 years or older
- Have extended health care benefits to help cover therapy costs
- Can commit to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-person or virtual)
- Understand that once the intern is no longer available, the reduced-rate services may no longer be guaranteed
Our Low Income Subsidy Program is designed for families and individuals living at a low income or receiving ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program). This program offers sliding scale pricing and ensures that therapy remains accessible for those in need.
Criteria for this program include:
- Commitment to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-person or virtual)
- Eligibility for 8 sessions guaranteed, with the potential for more based on approval from the therapist or clinical director
- Sliding scale pricing per hour, with the goal of everyone contributing in some way to their therapy
- Community partner referrals are encouraged for this program

Benefits of Affordable Counseling
Start Your Mental Health Journey Today
Choosing affordable counselling in Barrie with Mind 2 Heart Connections means you are investing in your well-being while contributing to the growth of new therapists. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenge, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to book a consultation and see if our affordable counselling program is the right fit for you.
Our client care Team at Mind 2 Heart


Internship from September
2024-April 2025
-
Client Focus:Couples, Families, Individuals, Children (7+)
-
Types of Therapy:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, with a Neuro-affirming Approach
-
Areas of Focus:anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, attachment & relationships, communication skills, emotional regulation, personal development, executive functioning, self-esteem, stress management, and life transitions.
-
Specialties:Working with neurodivergent children, youth, adults, and families, coping skills, autism, parent training and support
-
More than just my work:One of life's simple joys for me is watching others savor the food I prepare —happiness is always on the menu in my kitchen! “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there” - Rumi
Are you finding it difficult to understand and support your child’s needs? Perhaps they are experiencing intense emotions or struggling with friendships. Maybe your child has just received a new diagnosis, and you’re working through your own grief and loss over the future you envisioned for them. Raising a neurodivergent child brings its own unique joys and challenges. It’s natural to feel lost, confused and overwhelmed – making it hard to know where to start.
Having grown up in an unpredictable home environment shaped by addiction and experiencing my own struggles in school as a child, my needs often felt misunderstood by the adults around me. These experiences have drawn me to help families who may be experiencing some of the same struggles, so that they might find more understanding, connection, and support with one another.
I aim to provide a safe space to explore complicated feelings, offering a compassionate, trauma-informed, client-centered, and nonjudgmental approach that honors your unique experiences. Through our time together, we will focus on exploring helpful coping strategies while holding space to navigate the challenges you may be facing in life.
Drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities, I am here to support you in cultivating greater self-compassion and empower you to take steps toward the life you truly imagine for yourself. I often draw upon a polyvagal-informed approach, which aims to help you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and actions through the lens of the nervous system. This insight allows you to process and heal from various life events.
I’m currently pursuing my Master of Social Work through the University of Windsor and have worked within the developmental services sector for the past 5 years supporting children, youth, and their caregivers. This has given me deep insight into the challenges that families face as they navigate life’s complexities. I would be deeply honoured to join you, your child, and your family on your journey. I would love to connect and see if I might be the right fit for you.
-
Client Focus:Children, Youth and Families
-
Types of Therapy:Informed in CBT, DBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, strengths -based and attachment theory. Trained in Gottman Level 1 and Polyvagal Theory
-
Areas of Focus:Parenting issues, FASD, ASD, communication challenges,child-centered concerns, attachment responses, boundary setting, emotional regulation
-
More than just my work:When I’m not working or in school, I enjoy spending time in nature - going on hikes, paddleboarding, camping or taking day trips to explore new places. In the cold winter months, I enjoy spending cozy days reading or watching my favourite TV shows.


“You make sense” - Sarah Baldwin
Interns begin with Mind 2 Heart in January, May, and September of each year.
our application here