Provider type
Ask whether your plan covers services from a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario.
Fees, insurance & claims
Insurance, claims, and payment, in plain language.
How payment works at Anchor & Bloom, how Jane receipts and insurance workflows work, what extended health plans typically cover for Registered Psychotherapist services in Ontario, and what to ask your insurer before booking.
How payment works at Anchor & Bloom.
- Individual sessions: $180 (50 minutes)
- Couples sessions: $200 (50 minutes) or $285 (85 minutes)
- Free 15-minute consultation: $0, no obligation
- Payment method: payment is handled through Jane
- Receipts: provided through Jane, ready to submit for insurance reimbursement
- Direct billing: available only where the insurer, clinician, and Jane setup support it
- HST: not charged — psychotherapy is exempt as of June 2024
Extended health benefits
What insurance typically covers.
Many extended health plans through Canadian employers include Registered Psychotherapist services under a mental health or paramedical benefit. The actual coverage varies by employer, but the common shape:
- Annual coverage typically $500 to $2,000 per year for psychotherapy
- Some plans cover RPs only; others cover RPs + Psychologists + Social Workers
- Some require pre-authorization for the first session, others do not
- Spousal/family plans often pool benefits across the family
The fastest way to confirm is to call the number on the back of your benefits card and ask: "Does my plan cover Registered Psychotherapist services? What is the annual maximum? Do I need pre-authorization? Can claims be submitted directly, or do I submit receipts myself?"
Jane insurance workflows
Jane is the payment and insurance hub.
Anchor & Bloom uses Jane for booking, intake, payment, telehealth, receipts, and insurance workflows. Jane can store insurer details, create patient policies, generate insurance-ready receipts, and support Canadian claim workflows where the insurer and clinician setup allow it.
Jane supports Canadian insurance integrations including TELUS eClaims and Pacific Blue Cross in eligible contexts. Direct billing still depends on the insurer, provider registration, plan rules, and whether that claim pathway is enabled for the practice.
If direct billing is not available for your plan, the reimbursement path is still simple: pay through Jane, download the receipt, upload it to your insurer, and receive reimbursement according to your plan rules.
What to ask your insurer
Use this checklist before your first session.
Annual maximum
Ask how much coverage you have per calendar year or policy year, and whether there is a per-session maximum.
Claim method
Ask whether claims must be submitted by you with a receipt, or whether direct submission is available for your insurer and plan.
Tax and savings accounts
HSA, WSA, and the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
Health Spending Account (HSA)
If you have an HSA through your employer, psychotherapy with an RP is a CRA-eligible medical expense and can be paid from your HSA balance.
Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
Most employer WSAs include psychotherapy. Coverage depends on your specific plan. Check with your plan administrator.
Medical Expense Tax Credit
Psychotherapy with a CRPO-registered RP qualifies for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit. Keep annual receipts and include them on your tax return. Speak with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
OHIP and public coverage
Why OHIP does not cover psychotherapy in private practice.
OHIP covers some publicly-funded mental health services in Ontario, including:
- Hospital-based outpatient mental health programs
- The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (CBT-focused, by referral)
- Counselling provided by a family physician within an appointment
OHIP does not cover psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice. Wait times for OHIP-covered options can run from several months to over a year for non-urgent presentations. Private practice fills the gap.
If cost is a barrier and you cannot wait for OHIP-funded options, the Canadian Mental Health Association maintains lists of subsidized counselling options in Ontario, and Ontario Community Health Centres offer reduced-fee services.
HST exemption
Psychotherapy is tax-free in Canada (since June 2024).
Bill C-59 (Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023) received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024. As of that date, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services in Canada are exempt from GST/HST when provided by a practitioner registered with a regulatory body (CRPO in Ontario).
You do not pay HST on sessions at Anchor & Bloom. Practices that still charge HST on therapy services are out of step with current federal tax law.
Common questions about insurance, claims, and payment.
Is psychotherapy covered by OHIP in Ontario?
No. Psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in private practice is not covered by OHIP. OHIP covers some publicly-funded mental health services (hospital programs, the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program, and care provided by family doctors), but not RP services in a private practice setting.
Does my extended health benefit plan cover therapy with an RP?
Many Canadian extended health plans through employers include Registered Psychotherapist (RP) services under their mental health or paramedical benefit. Coverage varies by employer plan: some include RPs only, some cover RPs plus Psychologists and Social Workers, some have annual maximums, and some require pre-authorization. Confirm with your insurer or HR contact before booking.
How do I check if my plan covers RP services?
Call the member services number on the back of your benefits card and ask: "Does my plan cover Registered Psychotherapist services? What is the annual maximum? Do I need pre-authorization?" Or log into your insurer's member portal and look under "paramedical" or "mental health" benefits.
Can Anchor & Bloom direct bill through Jane?
Anchor & Bloom uses Jane for booking, payment, receipts, and insurance workflows. Direct billing through Jane depends on insurer support, clinician eligibility, and final setup for each insurer. When direct billing is not available for a plan, Jane receipts are provided for reimbursement.
What does a Jane receipt include?
A Jane receipt typically includes the clinician name, registration details where applicable, service description, session date, amount paid, and clinic information. That is the information most insurers ask for when clients submit psychotherapy claims through their benefits portal.
Which insurers can be handled through Jane?
Jane supports insurer profiles, patient policies, receipts, statements, and Canadian insurance workflows. Jane also offers Canadian integrations such as TELUS eClaims and Pacific Blue Cross where those integrations and insurer/provider registrations apply. Some insurers still require clients or clinics to use the insurer's own portal.
How quickly will I be reimbursed?
Many Canadian extended health plans process online reimbursement claims within a few business days when you submit through their app or member portal. Timing depends on the insurer, plan rules, and whether the claim needs manual review.
Do I have to pay HST on therapy sessions?
No. As of June 20, 2024, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services in Canada are exempt from GST/HST under Bill C-59 when provided by a regulated practitioner (CRPO in Ontario). Anchor & Bloom does not charge HST on therapy sessions.
Can I claim therapy on my income taxes?
Yes. Psychotherapy provided by a CRPO-registered Registered Psychotherapist qualifies for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC). Keep your annual receipts and include them in your tax return. Speak with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Can I use a Health Spending Account (HSA) or Wellness Spending Account (WSA)?
Yes for HSAs. Health Spending Accounts can be used for RP services (psychotherapy is a CRA-eligible medical expense). Wellness Spending Accounts vary by employer; most include psychotherapy. Check with your plan administrator.
I am a student. Does my school plan cover psychotherapy?
Many student plans include mental health coverage, but the provider types and annual maximums vary. Check your school plan documents or call the plan administrator and ask specifically whether Registered Psychotherapist services are covered.
I do not have insurance. Are there lower-cost options?
Anchor & Bloom does not currently offer sliding scale. If cost is a barrier, the Canadian Mental Health Association (cmha.ca/find-help), local Community Health Centres in Ontario, and the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program offer free or subsidized counselling. The Psychology Today directory also lets you filter by therapists who offer sliding-scale fees.
Will my insurer be told what we discuss in therapy?
No. Receipts include service description (e.g., "individual psychotherapy session") and date, but no clinical content. Your insurer cannot access session notes or clinical records. Confidentiality is governed by Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
What if my plan only covers Psychologists, not RPs?
Some older plans still list only Psychologists. If your plan does not include RP coverage, contact your HR or benefits administrator and request an update — many insurers have updated their list of covered providers in the last few years, and the change usually only requires an internal request. Otherwise, sessions are out-of-pocket.
Still have questions about coverage?
The 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to talk through anything specific to your situation.