Sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario are not covered by OHIP, but many extended health benefit plans include psychotherapy as a paramedical or mental health benefit. Check whether your plan names Registered Psychotherapists, what the annual maximum is, and whether it is shared with other mental health professionals. Fees your plan does not cover can usually be claimed under the medical expense tax credit.
Key Takeaways
- OHIP pays for mental health care from physicians, not for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice.
- Many extended health plans cover psychotherapy, but some only list psychologists or social workers, so check that Registered Psychotherapists are named.
- Ask whether your mental health maximum is per practitioner type or shared across several.
- Registered Psychotherapists are on the Canada Revenue Agency's list of authorized medical practitioners for Ontario, so unreimbursed fees can count toward the medical expense tax credit.
- A free consultation lets you check fit before you spend any of your coverage.
In This Article
Sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist are not covered by OHIP in Ontario, but many extended health benefit plans include them. Before you book, check that your plan names Registered Psychotherapists, what the yearly maximum is, and whether that maximum is shared with other mental health professionals.
Those three questions decide how much of your therapy your plan will pay for, and they take about five minutes to answer.
Why OHIP Does Not Pay for Most Psychotherapy
OHIP pays for physician services and a short list of other care. The Ontario government's summary of what OHIP covers notes that it does not cover services "delivered outside of hospital by health care providers that are not physicians".
In practice, that means talk therapy with a family doctor or psychiatrist may be covered, but sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist in a community clinic are not. Psychotherapy is still a regulated health profession in Ontario. The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) regulates its registrants and keeps a public register, so you can check a therapist's registration before your first session.
How Most People Pay for Psychotherapy in Ontario
1. Extended health care benefits. This is the most common route. Group plans from an employer, union or professional association often list psychotherapy as a paramedical or mental health benefit, with a yearly dollar maximum.
2. A Health Spending Account. Some employers give a yearly amount you can use for eligible health costs, including psychotherapy, or to top up what your plan does not pay.
3. An individual or spousal plan. If you are self-employed, or your partner's plan covers you, check that plan too. Two plans can sometimes be coordinated so one picks up what the other does not.
4. Paying privately. Some people choose to pay directly for privacy or because their plan maximum is used up. Fees your plan does not reimburse may still count toward your taxes (see below).
Five Questions to Ask Your Insurer First
Plan wording matters more for psychotherapy than for most services, because insurers describe mental health coverage in different ways. Ask:
- Are Registered Psychotherapists covered by name? Some older plans list only psychologists or social workers. Ask about an "RP" specifically.
- What is the yearly maximum, and is it shared? Some plans give psychotherapy its own limit. Others share one mental health maximum across psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists.
- Is there a per-session limit or a percentage paid? A plan might pay a set amount per session, or a percentage of each session up to the yearly maximum.
- Do you need a doctor's referral? You can book directly, but a few plans ask for a physician's note before they reimburse.
- What does the receipt need to show? Insurers usually want the therapist's name, professional designation and registration number, the date and the fee.
If you also use other services, our guides to massage therapy insurance in Ontario and osteopathy coverage explain how those benefits work alongside each other.
Psychotherapy and the Medical Expense Tax Credit
Unlike some services, psychotherapy fees can usually go on your tax return. The Canada Revenue Agency publishes a table of authorized medical practitioners by province, and "Registered psychotherapist" is listed for Ontario. Fees your plan does not reimburse can generally count toward the medical expense tax credit. Keep every receipt, and check with a tax professional if your situation is unusual.
Is There Free Psychotherapy in Ontario?
Yes, for some people. The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program offers cognitive behavioural therapy free of charge to adults 18 and older. A doctor, nurse practitioner or other health care professional can refer you, and in some areas you can refer yourself. It is a structured, short-term program, so it suits some needs better than others, and wait times vary by region.
Community clinic therapy is a different option. You choose your therapist, book directly, and work on the issues that matter to you for as long as you find it useful.
Start With a Free Consultation
The fit between you and your therapist matters. A free consultation is a low-pressure way to see whether a therapist's approach suits you before you spend any of your coverage. It is also a good time to ask about fees, receipts and how often sessions usually happen.
Psychotherapy at Anchor in Keswick
Psychotherapy at Anchor Health & Fitness is provided by Michelle Bacso, Registered Psychotherapist. She works with individuals and couples on the motherhood transition, relationship patterns, stress and overwhelm, anxiety and depression (including during pregnancy and postpartum), trauma and more. Each session is 50 to 60 minutes, and you can start with a free consultation.
Not sure what your plan covers? Contact us or call (905) 535-4449 and our front desk will help you check what to ask. We are on The Queensway South in Keswick, close to Sutton, Jackson's Point and the rest of Georgina.
If You Need Help Now
If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel unsafe, call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, at any hour. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
References
- What OHIP covers, Government of Ontario
- About CRPO, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Authorized medical practitioners for the purposes of the medical expense tax credit, Canada Revenue Agency
- Mental health services: Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program, Government of Ontario
Ready When You Are
Book an assessment at our Keswick clinic
No referral needed. Most extended health benefit plans provide coverage, and we direct bill where possible.