What Does Insurance Cover for Therapy in Ontario? Find Out if Psychotherapy is Included

If you've been thinking about starting therapy, one of the first questions that comes up is usually: will my insurance cover this?

It's a fair question — and the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Ontario's mental health coverage landscape combines public and private options in ways that aren't always obvious. Let's break it down.

First: Does OHIP Cover Therapy?

The short answer is no — not for private practice psychotherapy.

OHIP covers mental health care when it's delivered by a physician or within a publicly funded setting. That means:

• Visits to your family doctor for mental health concerns (diagnosis, medication, referrals) — covered
• Psychiatrist appointments — covered, but typically require a referral and come with long wait times
• Hospital-based programs and community mental health centres — covered, though often with waitlists

What OHIP doesn't cover is private practice therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Registered Social Worker (RSW), or psychologist — which is exactly the type of support most people are looking for when they book a counselling session.

So What Does Private Insurance Cover?

This is where it gets more hopeful. Many extended health benefit plans — the kind that come through your employer, union, or post-secondary school — do cover psychotherapy and counselling services in private practice.

Coverage typically falls under "paramedical" or "mental health benefits" in your plan. Depending on your provider, you may be covered for sessions with:

• Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) — regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
• Registered Social Workers (RSWs) — regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Registered Psychologists — note that psychologists often have higher per-session fees

The amount covered varies widely from plan to plan — anywhere from a few hundred dollars per year to several thousand. Some plans reimburse a set dollar amount per session; others offer a fixed number of sessions annually.

A Good Tax Note: No More HST on Therapy

As of June 20, 2024, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services became exempt from GST/HST across Canada. In Ontario, that's a 13% saving you no longer pay on top of your session fee — a meaningful difference over a course of therapy. At Reset, we have kept our fees below the average therapy practice in Barrie to make therapy more affordable for clients.

How to Find Out What You're Covered For

Here's a practical checklist:

1. Check your benefits booklet — look for terms like "mental health benefits," "paramedical services," "psychotherapy," or "counselling." If you see those words, you're likely covered.
2. Log in to your insurance provider's online portal — many now have a summary of your benefits with remaining annual amounts.
3. Call your insurer directly — ask specifically: Which provider designations are covered? What is my annual maximum? Do I need to pay upfront and submit a claim, or is direct billing available?
4. Ask your therapist's office — most clinics can help you understand what to expect and will provide the proper receipts (including their registration number) for you to submit.

Who Are Reset's Therapists, and Are They Covered?

At Reset Counselling in Barrie, our team includes Registered Psychotherapists (RPs), Qualifying Registered Psychotherapists (RP Qualifying), and Registered Social Workers (RSWs) — all designations that most extended health plans recognize for coverage.

When you contact your insurer, you can provide your therapist's registration number to confirm whether their services are included in your plan.

What If I Don't Have Coverage?

You still have options:

• Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) — a free, government-funded CBT program for adults dealing with anxiety or depression. Accessible by self-referral or through your family doctor.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) — many workplaces offer short-term counselling through an EAP at no cost to you.
• Sliding scale fees — some therapists offer reduced rates based on income. It's always worth asking.
• Tax deductions — if you're paying out of pocket, therapy fees with regulated providers are eligible medical expenses on your CRA tax return. Keep your receipts.

The Bottom Line

Private insurance plans in Ontario often do cover psychotherapy — but the details vary. The most important step is to call your insurer and ask the right questions before your first session. Once you know what you have access to, the barrier to getting started becomes a lot smaller.

If you're in Barrie or Orillia and ready to take that next step, the team at Reset Counselling is here to help you figure it out. Book a session online — or reach out if you have questions before you book.



Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy | Unit 201-151 Essa Road, Barrie, ON | resetbarrie.ca