Does Insurance Cover Psychotherapy in Ontario?

One of the most common questions before booking a first session is whether insurance will cover it. The honest answer is: it depends on your specific plan, but here’s what’s generally true in Ontario.

Registered psychotherapists are usually covered

Most extended health benefit plans in Ontario that include mental health coverage will reimburse sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), including those registered under the “Qualifying” category, provided the plan lists that professional category. Coverage amounts and the number of sessions per year vary a lot between plans: some cover $500/year, others $2,000 or more.

How to check your specific plan

Call the number on your benefits card, or check your plan documents, and ask specifically: does this plan cover “Registered Psychotherapist” or “psychotherapy,” and what’s the annual maximum. It’s worth doing this before your first session so there are no surprises.

How receipts work

How this works varies by therapist: some bill your insurer directly, others don’t. In my practice, I bill Sun Life, GreenShield (including Médic Construction) and SSQ (Beneva) directly. If you have a different insurer, you pay for the session and I give you a receipt with my name, credentials, and CRPO registration number. You then submit that receipt to your insurer yourself to get reimbursed, usually through their online portal or app. I’ll be adding direct billing with more insurers gradually.

If you don’t have coverage

If you don’t have extended health benefits, or your plan doesn’t cover psychotherapy, some therapists, including myself, hold a limited number of reduced-fee spots. It’s always worth asking directly rather than assuming cost rules out therapy altogether.

My fees and receipts

Right now, 60-minute individual therapy has an accessible rate of $135 CAD (other sessions vary by length and type), and I send a receipt with my CRPO registration number (#21196) after every session for you to submit to your insurer. I also hold reduced-fee spots. Reach out before booking if cost is what’s holding you back.