The short answer: no. OHIP does not cover psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice, including sessions at this practice.
That is worth knowing before you start looking, because it shapes everything about how people choose a therapist in Ontario. Here is the fuller picture, and what it means practically.
What OHIP does and does not cover
OHIP covers mental health care delivered by physicians, and some programs run through hospitals and publicly funded community agencies. Those services exist and they are worth knowing about, particularly if cost is the deciding factor. The trade-off is usually availability: wait times can be long, and you generally do not choose your therapist.
What OHIP does not cover is private-practice psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist, which is what I am. There is no version of this where OHIP reimburses these sessions, so if you see a private practice suggesting otherwise, look closely.
What extended health insurance usually covers
This is where most people find coverage. Many extended health benefit plans, the kind that come through an employer, a spouse's employer, or a student plan, include psychotherapy.
Three things to check on your specific plan, because they vary a great deal:
- Is "Registered Psychotherapist" listed? This is the one that catches people out. Some older plans list psychologists and social workers but not RPs. If yours does not, it is worth asking your HR or benefits contact whether it can be added. Plans do get updated.
- What is the annual maximum? Usually a dollar figure per calendar year rather than a number of sessions. Somewhere between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars is typical.
- Is a referral needed? Usually not, but some plans ask for one from a family doctor.
The exact question to ask your insurer: "Does my plan cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist, and what is my annual maximum?" That phrasing gets you a clear answer faster than asking about therapy generally.
How payment works here
I do not offer direct billing. Practically, that means:
- You pay for the session at the time of the session.
- You receive a receipt with my name, my CRPO registration number, and the details your insurer needs.
- You submit that receipt to your insurer and they reimburse you according to your plan.
Most insurers now take submissions through an app or a web portal, and reimbursement usually lands within a week or two. The main thing to plan for is that the money leaves your account before it comes back.
What sessions cost
- Individual therapy, 50 minutes: $195
- Individual therapy, 90 minutes: $260
- Couples therapy, 50 minutes: $220
- Initial consultation, 20 minutes: free
These rates sit in the normal range for Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario. Fees are also a reasonable thing to ask about directly, and you will not be the first person to raise it.
Cost is a real factor, not an awkward one. It is better raised in the first conversation than carried quietly for six weeks.
A few common questions
Is therapy tax deductible in Ontario?
Fees paid to a Registered Psychotherapist can generally be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return. Keep your receipts, and confirm the specifics with an accountant, since it depends on your situation.
Does the free consultation come with any obligation?
No. It is 20 minutes, at no cost, to talk about what is going on and see whether I am the right fit. If I am not, I would rather say so and point you somewhere better.
What if I do not have coverage at all?
Say so in the consultation. There are lower-cost options in Ontario, including community agencies and training clinics, and I would rather help you find something workable than have you start something you cannot sustain. Therapy that stops after three sessions for financial reasons tends to do less good than therapy that starts in the right place.
Sessions are virtual, across Ontario, in English, Hindi, or Punjabi. Booking runs through Jane, and the 20-minute consultation is free.