Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use One Stop Talk?
Any child or teen under 18 years of age can connect online or by phone from anywhere in Ontario.
How do you use any of the data I provide?
When you use One Stop Talk, we collect some personal information to help you get the right care and connect you to other services, if needed. All staff follow strict rules to keep your information private and safe, in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Unless required by law, personal information is not disclosed without client consent.
Therapists keep session notes on their own agency’s secure systems. One Stop Talk keeps only basic information to help you with referrals and holds data without names or personal details for program improvement.
We use virtual communication to provide our services. If you choose to use this, please know that while we work hard to keep everything secure, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality as all virtual communication can potentially be vulnerable to security issues.
What’s Single Session Therapy/brief counselling?
Single Session Therapy/brief counselling is a type of therapy that helps with your current concerns and problems. It focuses on what’s happening right now and uses your strengths and resources to help you get through tough times.
There is strong evidence that this type of counseling works well for many issues and is a quicker and less expensive option compared to other treatments.
One Stop Talk lets young people try this type of therapy. Our service can also support kids and teens who are waiting for other mental health supports and services.
Can I call or connect about my child or teen?
One Stop Talk currently supports children and teens 0-17.
If your child is 0-5 years of age, you do not need to have them on the call with you, however, please note the discussion will be focused on your child’s needs.
If your child is between 6-17 years of age, they are required to be in the session as the therapist will need to complete a capacity assessment (check to see if they understand the risks and benefits of therapy) and if they are deemed by the therapist to have capacity, the child needs to provide consent for parent/caregiver to participate.
Please note that we do strongly encourage that young children connect with their trusted adult.
What is One Stop Talk?
One Stop Talk is a free, confidential service that lets kids and youth under 18 of age, call or connect online from anywhere in Ontario to get immediate mental health support. Parents or caregivers seeking services are encouraged to visit One Stop Talk with their child to ensure access to a session.
During the session, the therapist will talk to you and/or your child and work together with you to develop a plan that will help you move forward with the issue(s) that have been raised.
Children, youth and their families can contact One Stop Talk each and every time they require any support, there’s no limit to this.
Is One Stop Talk a crisis line?
One Stop Talk is not a crisis line (we are not meant for emergencies).
We offer free, one-hour sessions where a therapist will talk with your child/you about what’s bothering them. Together, they’ll make a plan to help your child move forward and feel better.
What are the hours of operation?
One Stop Talk is currently available at the following times:
- Monday to Friday from 12 PM to 8 PM (EST)
- Saturday from 12 PM to 4 PM (EST).
To make sure you get a session, please connect with us at least 45 minutes before closing. Statutory holidays may affect these hours.
Is One Stop Talk anonymous?
One Stop Talk is not anonymous. This helps us make sure we can help children and youth if they are in danger or need extra support or services.
We keep personal information private and will only share it if the child/youth agrees or if the law requires it.
View our full privacy policy here.
What’s the benefit of using One Stop Talk?
One Stop Talk lets children and youth:
- Get free therapy from experienced therapists across Ontario
- Have access to help even in the evening and on Saturdays
- Connect with a therapist in just 5 minutes during our hours of operation.
- Access therapy in English, French or with in-the-moment interpretation including ASL, if needed.
- Be immediate and flexible to allow children and youth to choose the best time to get help with their current problem.
- Be connected to other local services for children and youth if needed, all in one call.
Also, if you’re not sure if therapy is right for your child, One Stop Talk is a good way to try it out!
Please note: One Stop Talk does not do referrals to doctors for assessments or medication. We also do not provide documentation for legal matters.
Can I/my child use One Stop Talk if they are currently receiving services elsewhere?
Yes! This is on demand, Single Session Therapy and it’s meant to help your child with a specific issue or problem they are currently facing.
Your child may get connected to a therapist from your existing agency, or they may get support from a therapist at another participating agency across Ontario.
What are navigation services? Do we have to use them?
Navigation services are available if a child or youth needs extra or long-term support. If needed, we can help connect them to a relevant and local infant, child and youth mental health agency right away, so they don’t have to call back or look for help elsewhere.
Navigation services are completely optional. If they/you want this kind of help, just let the therapist know!
Can a friend of my child contact One Stop Talk on their behalf?
A friend cannot contact One Stop Talk on behalf of a friend; however, they can call with their friend – just like parents/caregivers!
Is the chat option available for the child/youth to connect with the therapist?
No. We currently only provide support through phone and our online platform (as an audio or video call).
Rest assured, the call is confidential, and our trained therapists make sure that the young person’s comfort is top of mind.
Do I or my child need to be a permanent resident or have an OHIP card to use One Stop talk?
No. One Stop Talk provides free therapy to anyone living in Ontario no matter what their citizenship status is or if they are here on a temporary visa. If more support is needed after talking to the therapist, we can refer you to free mental health services for ongoing counselling in the area where you live.
What are the consent requirements for this service and what are they guided by?
Informed consent is obtained with all participants of the service where they have the capacity to consent for service as per the Health Care Consent Act, 1996. At One Stop Talk, influenced by the Act, we believe that every child and youth is capable of receiving care on their own, unless otherwise assessed.
Where a young person may not have the capacity to consent to service, One Stop Talk will engage a parent/caregiver to support with the session alongside the child or youth.
Does One Stop Talk offer the service in different languages?
One Stop Talk has both English and French speaking therapists. We also have a translation service providing in-the-moment support, with over 240 languages, including ASL. A complete list of languages served can be found here.
Can I share feedback about my experience using One Stop Talk?
Yes! We’d love to hear what you think about using One Stop Talk.
You can share your thoughts in the survey at the end of your session. If you want to tell us more, you can also contact us.
Where do the therapists for One Stop Talk come from?
Infant, child and youth mental health agencies from across Ontario have signed on to provide therapists to the One Stop Talk.
Click here to find out more.
Does One Stop Talk provide doctor assessments, prescriptions or legal documentation?
No, One Stop Talk doesn’t refer you or your child to doctors for assessments or medication.
We also do not provide documentation for legal matters.
If documentation is needed, you need to reach out to the agency from which the clinician supported you, directly. This information can be found on the plan you receive after the session. The agency details can be found on the plan you receive after the session.