Does Insurance Cover Psychotherapy in Canada?
While provincial health plans in Canada cover general medical services, private psychotherapy sessions are most often covered under the Extended Health Benefits provided by your employer or educational institution.
Depending on the insurance policy offered by your employer, you may be able to use the mental health budget provided by insurers such as Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Desjardins, and GreenShield. With this coverage, you can claim reimbursement from your insurer for the online psychotherapy sessions you attend.
For Refugee Claimants: IFHP
If you are a refugee claimant, meaning your asylum claim is still in progress, you can access government-funded psychotherapy support under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), a temporary health coverage program provided by the Government of Canada.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Therapist?
The first requirement for using your private health insurance in Canada, and most importantly for receiving safe, evidence-based treatment, is the therapist's training.
In Canada, the titles psychotherapist and psychologist are protected titles, and registration with a regulatory college is required to use them. For insurance companies to reimburse you, sessions must also be provided by professionals who hold an official license and academic expertise.
Why Is Clinical Expertise Important?
Accurate Assessment and Formulation: Providers without appropriate training may misjudge the clinical difficulties a person is experiencing. Specialists with academic degrees and professional experience offer a scientific framework, using clinical approaches that fit the client's needs and are consistent with their own expertise.
Ethical Boundaries and Client Safety: Trained professionals work in full adherence to professional codes of ethics and the principle of client confidentiality.
Insurance Approval and Official Receipts: Sessions received from unlicensed individuals are not accepted for reimbursement by insurance companies.
Steps to Claim Therapy Fees Through Your Insurance
Here are the steps to follow to cover your therapy expenses through your private insurance policy:
Check Your Policy: Log in to your insurance portal (Sun Life, Manulife, etc.) and check your annual limit and per-session coverage rate under the "Mental Health" or "Psychotherapy" category.
Verify Your Therapist's Credentials: Confirm that your therapist's professional title and license number meet the standards accepted by your insurance plan (Psychologist / Registered Psychotherapist / Registered Social Worker).
Get an Official Receipt: After each session, obtain an official receipt from your therapist that includes the date, the type of service provided, and the therapist's license number.
Submit Your Claim Online: Upload your receipt through your insurer's mobile app or website to have the session fee reimbursed to your account.
Feel free to contact us if you would like to find out whether your private health insurance covers your sessions, or if you have any questions about the process.
