The Short Answer
No, OHIP does not cover psychotherapy from registered psychotherapists, psychologists, or social workers in private practice.
This surprises many Ontarians who assume that mental health care would be included in our public healthcare system. Unfortunately, while OHIP covers visits to your family doctor and psychiatrists, it does not cover the type of ongoing talk therapy most people need for issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship problems.
What OHIP Does Cover
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in mental health. Because they are physicians, their services are covered by OHIP.
However, there are important limitations:
- Long wait times: Expect 6 to 12 months or longer for an initial appointment
- Focus on diagnosis and medication: Many psychiatrists focus on assessment and prescribing rather than talk therapy
- Limited availability: There are not enough psychiatrists in Ontario to meet demand
- Referral required: You typically need a referral from your family doctor
If you need ongoing therapy, a psychiatrist may not be the right fit. They are most helpful when you need a diagnosis, medication evaluation, or complex psychiatric care.
Hospital outpatient programs
Some hospitals offer mental health programs that are OHIP-funded:
- Intensive outpatient programs for anxiety or depression
- Group therapy programs
- Crisis stabilization services
- Eating disorder programs
These programs vary by location and often have significant wait lists.
Family doctors
Your family doctor can provide basic mental health support and prescribe medication for conditions like depression and anxiety. While they are not therapists, some family doctors have additional training in mental health.
What OHIP Does Not Cover
- Registered Psychotherapists (RP)
- Psychologists (PhD, PsyD)
- Registered Social Workers (RSW) in private practice
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Counsellors
This means the majority of therapy services in Ontario are paid out of pocket or through private insurance.
Why Doesn’t OHIP Cover Therapy?
Ontario’s public health system was designed decades ago with a focus on physical health and hospital care. Mental health has historically been underfunded and often treated as separate from “real” healthcare.
While there have been recent investments in mental health, these have focused on crisis services, hospitals, and community programs rather than expanding OHIP coverage to include private psychotherapy.
Advocacy groups continue to push for change, but for now, Ontarians seeking therapy must find other ways to pay.
How to Access Affordable Therapy
1. Private health insurance
If you have employer-provided benefits or private insurance, check for coverage under:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Mental Health
- Counselling
Coverage typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 per year. Some plans cover only psychologists, while others include registered psychotherapists and social workers. At Graceway Wellness, all therapists are Registered Psychotherapists (RP) with the CRPO, and we provide receipts for insurance submission.
2. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Many employers offer EAP services that include a limited number of free counselling sessions (often 3 to 8 sessions). Check with your HR department.
EAP counselling is confidential, meaning your employer does not know who uses the service.
3. Community health centres
Community Health Centres (CHCs) across Ontario offer counselling services on a sliding scale based on income. Services may include:
- Individual therapy
- Group programs
- Family counselling
Wait times vary, and some CHCs prioritize clients without other options.
4. Family Health Teams
If your family doctor is part of a Family Health Team, there may be a social worker or mental health counsellor on staff. These services are typically free but may have wait lists.
5. University and college clinics
Universities with psychology or counselling programs often run training clinics where supervised students provide therapy at reduced rates ($30–$80 per session). Quality is generally good because students are closely supervised.
6. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
CMHA branches across Ontario offer various programs, some free or low-cost. Services vary by region but may include:
- Case management
- Peer support
- Group therapy
- Crisis services
7. Online therapy platforms
Platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace offer subscription-based therapy that may be more affordable than traditional private practice. However, therapists on these platforms may not be Ontario-regulated, so check credentials carefully.
8. Sliding scale private practice
Some therapists offer reduced rates based on income. This is sometimes called “sliding scale” pricing. Not all practices offer this, but it is worth asking.
What About the New Ontario Funding?
In recent years, Ontario has announced funding for mental health through programs like:
- Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP): Free CBT-based therapy for anxiety and depression through participating providers
- BounceBack: A free phone coaching program for mild to moderate anxiety and depression
- Mindability: Free online CBT program
These programs can be helpful for specific concerns but often have eligibility requirements, wait lists, or limited scope. They may not be suitable for complex issues like trauma, relationship problems, or faith-integrated therapy.
Making Private Therapy Work
If you need therapy that is not covered by OHIP or available through free programs, here are strategies to manage the cost:
Maximize your insurance
Use your annual coverage strategically. Some people front-load sessions at the start of the year when benefits reset.
Choose virtual therapy
Virtual sessions are often slightly less expensive and eliminate transportation costs. At Graceway Wellness, virtual individual sessions are $170 versus $185 for in-person.
Space sessions appropriately
Therapy does not have to be weekly. Once you are stable, bi-weekly or monthly sessions can maintain progress at lower cost.
Focus on goals
Good therapy is not endless. Work with your therapist to set clear goals so you know when you have achieved what you came for.
When to Invest in Private Therapy
Free and low-cost options are valuable, but they have limitations. Consider private therapy if:
- You need specialized treatment (couples therapy, faith-integrated)
- Wait lists for free services are too long
- You want to choose your therapist rather than being assigned
- You need flexible scheduling, including evenings or weekends
- Previous free services did not meet your needs
At Graceway Wellness, we specialize in anxiety therapy, couples therapy, trauma therapy, and Christian counselling. We offer in-person sessions in Burlington and virtual therapy across Ontario.
Taking the First Step
Understanding what OHIP covers, and what it does not, can help you plan for the cost of therapy. While it is frustrating that mental health care is not fully funded, there are options available.
If you would like to discuss how therapy might fit into your budget, we offer a free 15-minute consultation with no obligation.
View our complete fee schedule.
Your mental health matters, and help is available.