Cost is one of the first practical questions people have about therapy, and one of the least clearly answered online. This article lays out what psychotherapy usually costs in Ontario, what is and is not covered, and the details that shape what portion of the cost a benefits plan may cover.
The short answer
Private psychotherapy in Ontario commonly falls somewhere between $120 and $250 per session. The range is wide because the fee depends on the provider’s credential, the length of the session, and whether you are attending as an individual or as a couple.
At Anchor & Bloom, fees are posted openly: individual sessions are $160 to $180 for 50 minutes, and couples sessions are $200 for 50 minutes or $285 for 85 minutes. The first step is a free 15-minute consultation, which carries no fee and no obligation. Full details are on our fees and insurance page.
What OHIP covers, and what it does not
OHIP does not cover psychotherapy delivered by a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice. This surprises many people. OHIP funds some mental health care in other settings, such as care provided by physicians and psychiatrists, some hospital and community programs, and publicly funded structured psychotherapy programs, which often have specific eligibility criteria and waitlists.
If you are looking for publicly funded options, your family doctor is a reasonable starting point. For private practice care, the cost is paid out of pocket or through insurance benefits.
Why fees vary between providers
A few factors explain most of the difference in price:
- Credential. Registered Psychotherapists, social workers, and psychologists all provide talk therapy in Ontario. Fee ranges differ between professions and between individual providers, reflecting differences in training, scope of practice, and the services each offers.
- Session length. A posted fee means little without the session length beside it. Fifty minutes is common, but some providers book 60 or 85 minutes, especially for couples.
- Individual or couples work. Couples and family sessions usually cost more because the session is longer and the work involves more than one person.
- Format. Online and in-person sessions are usually priced the same, though online therapy can remove real costs around travel, parking, and time away from work.
How extended health benefits come into it
Many extended health plans through Canadian employers include some coverage for mental health care, and the details vary widely from plan to plan. Coverage usually turns on four things:
- Which credentials the plan covers. Some plans list “Registered Psychotherapist” or “RP” specifically, some cover social workers or psychologists but not RPs, and some cover all three.
- The annual maximum. Plans commonly cap mental health coverage somewhere between a few hundred dollars and a few thousand dollars per year.
- Any per-session limit. Some plans reimburse a percentage of each session or set a dollar cap per visit.
- How claims are paid. Some plans reimburse after the fact based on receipts, while others support direct billing. Plans also differ on whether a doctor’s note is required for claims; no referral is needed to start therapy itself.
A plan’s member portal or provider line can confirm these details. After each session a receipt is provided with the information most insurers ask for, including clinician and registration details where applicable.
Taxes and receipts
Psychotherapy became exempt from GST and HST in June 2024, so no tax is added on top of the session fee. In some situations, psychotherapy fees may also count as eligible medical expenses under the federal medical expense tax credit. The Canada Revenue Agency’s published guidance, or a qualified tax professional, is the appropriate source for how that applies to an individual situation.
Thinking through affordability
Therapy is a real expense, and it is legitimate to weigh it carefully. Session frequency is set collaboratively and can be revisited as circumstances change, and the free consultation exists so that fit can be assessed before any fee is involved.
If you want to talk through fees, coverage, or whether therapy makes sense right now, you can book a free 15-minute consultation. It is a conversation, not a commitment.