How to Find a Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapist or OT in Canada: Consultation Calls
A guide to consultation calls for neurodivergent adults
The WHY:
Looking for a therapist or a mental health occupational therapist (OT) can feel pretty daunting… especially as a neurodivergent adult in Canada.
If you're already dealing with burnout, executive functioning challenges, or just general overwhelm, the question of “where the heck do I even start?” can feel like a whole task in itself.
Whether you're looking for occupational therapy for ADHD, therapy for autistic adults, or just some neurodiversity-affirming mental health support, getting started can be confusing…. and exhausting.
But here’s something really important to keep in mind: the quality of your relationship with your provider (also called the “therapeutic alliance”) is actually one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy or mental health support will be helpful.
In fact, research consistently shows that this alliance matters more than the specific therapeutic model or technique used. It’s less about whether someone uses CBT, ACT, narrative therapy, coaching, or psychoeducation, and more about whether you feel safe, heard, and truly understood.
So yes, that gut feeling you get when meeting a provider? It’s valid. It’s evidence-based. And it is why we need to be picky.
This brings me to why the consultation call is SO important. Most therapists and mental health OTs offer a 15-20 minute call to meet you before starting services.
But… for many neurodivergent folks, an open-ended call with someone new can feel confusing or intimidating. That’s why we’re going to walk through what to expect, what to ask, and how to know if someone might be the right fit for you.
Choosing an ADHD or Autism Therapist/ OT
Let’s start with this: you’re allowed to be picky. In fact, you should be picky.
The consultation call is not a test you have to pass, it’s a space to get curious and see if this person feels like a good fit for you. The vibe matters. Feeling emotionally safe matters.
Whether it’s a therapist or an OT, you’re going to be talking about vulnerable parts of your life, so making sure your provider’s values and approach align with yours is not extra, it’s necessary. In fact, asking thoughtful questions (yes, even the "awkward" ones) is one of the most helpful things you can do during a consultation.
What to Expect in a Consultation Call with a Therapist or OT:
These kinds of calls are common among providers offering mental health OT services in Canada and are often the first step to accessing ADHD support, autism-informed therapy, or a neurodiversity-affirming care plan.
Consultation calls are usually around 15–30 minutes.
Think of them as a mutual vibe check, not a commitment or a clinical intake.
The provider’s role is to get a general sense of what you’re looking for and determine whether they have the scope, experience, and availability to support you. If they don’t think they’re the right person (maybe it’s not their area of focus or they think someone else might be a better fit), ideally they’ll say so and offer a referral. (You can also ask directly if this doesn’t come up as most providers have areas they specialize in.)
You’ll likely be invited to share a little bit about yourself (not your whole life story, just the big stuff that brought you here). You might talk about:
your current symptoms
any mental health concerns
areas or goals that you are looking for support with
past experiences with therapy or OT
if you're exploring a diagnosis or already have one
The provider might ask questions like:
What’s been going on lately?
When did these challenges start?
Do things fluctuate?
What are your goals or hopes for therapy or OT?
What kind of provider do you feel comfortable with?
If you don’t have clear answers, that’s completely okay. It’s totally fine to say “I’m not sure” or just share whatever comes to mind. There are no right or wrong answers.
And if any question feels uncomfortable or too soon to answer, that’s valid too… in fact, noticing that can help you get a sense of whether this person feels like a safe space for you.
You might even find yourself thinking: “I don’t want to share this yet, but maybe I could in the future”, and that’s a green flag.
On the other hand, if something just doesn’t feel right or you’re not comfortable at all, that might be a sign this isn’t your person. Trust your gut.
You’ll also have a chance to ask your own questions (more on that in the next section).
Finally, if the call feels good and you’re ready to move forward, you might wrap up with some admin stuff; like booking your first appointment or going over next steps. For a lot of folks with ADHD, it can be easier to do this on the call, rather than trying to sort it out over email later. But if you’re not ready, you don’t need to book anything on the spot.
You can simply say something like:
“I have a few more consults booked before I decide.”
“I’m still figuring out my support needs, but I’ll follow up if I’d like to book.”
“I’m not quite ready to start yet, but I’ll reach out when the timing feels right.”
What to Ask During a Consultation Call
This is your time. Remember, the overall purpose is to help you decide if this person is a good fit.
Ask whatever will help you feel out the vibe and see if their approach works for you. We also put together some common questions people use to help decide.
Take what feels helpful for you and leave the rest. You can even keep a list in front of you during the call or send it to your provider ahead of time (zero shame… we LOVE a list).
Questions to ask when finding a therapist or OT:
How do you support neurodivergent clients, particularly ADHD and/or autistic adults?
Are you neurodiversity-affirming? (Yes, you can ask this directly!) How? / What does that mean to you?
What is your approach to masking and unmasking?
Do you work with clients who don’t want to pursue a diagnosis or label?
How do you support clients navigating shame, burnout, or executive functioning challenges?
What are your views on social issues that matter to me?
(Examples: How do you support LGBTQ2S+ clients? Are you anti-racist in your work? Do you bring an intersectional lens to therapy or OT?)What does a typical session l look like?
How do you structure your work with clients: is it more structured or more open-ended?
What’s your communication style like? E.g., Are you more conversational, directive, reflective, etc.?
Red Flags to Watch Out For
You deserve to feel safe and seen. Especially in therapy or OT for neurodivergent adults, where safety and understanding are essential for real progress. If any of the following show up, it might be a sign to keep looking:
Dismissive or vague answers to your questions
Lack of awareness or experience with neurodivergence
Pathologizing language (e.g., “fixing” ADHD/autism)
Defensiveness when you ask about how they approach systemic oppression, identity, or social justice topics that matter to you
A gut feeling that the vibe just isn’t it
Reminder: It’s Okay to Say No and Keep Looking
If you do a consult call and it’s not a match, that doesn’t mean you’re "too picky" or "hard to help." It just means that this wasn’t your person. That’s okay. You’re allowed to say no. You’re allowed to take your time. You’re allowed to try a few calls before deciding (and should!).
Next Steps:
If you feel ready to get started, you are welcome to reach out to us. Our team offers neurodivergent affirming OT and therapy for adults across Canada.
We offer services virtually and practice in most provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia) and major cities (e.g., Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Halifax, London, and more).
You can book a consultation call here.
