Therapy Fees and Insurance

All sessions take place online through secure video for clients located anywhere in Ontario. You can read more about how online therapy works.

How couples therapy begins

Couples therapy starts with a 90-minute session with both partners. That longer first meeting gives us time to understand your relationship, the patterns you find yourselves in and what each of you hopes will change. Next, I meet with each partner once on their own for 60 minutes, which helps me understand each person's history and experience. After those sessions, we continue with 60-minute couples sessions.

Using your insurance

I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registration No. 824004. Many extended health benefit plans in Ontario include coverage for therapy with a Registered Social Worker. Plans often list this under headings such as social worker, MSW, RSW, counselling or mental health practitioner.

After each session, you receive an official receipt that includes my name, credentials and registration number. You submit that receipt to your insurer for reimbursement according to your plan.

Questions to ask your insurance provider

• Does my plan cover therapy with a Registered Social Worker (RSW or MSW)?

• How much coverage do I have per year, and how much has been used so far?

• Is there a maximum amount per session or a percentage that the plan pays?

• Does my coverage include couples therapy?

• Do I need a referral from a doctor before I can claim?

Asking these questions before you start can help you plan how often to attend and how far your coverage will go.

Health spending accounts

If you have a health spending account through your employer, it may also cover therapy with a Registered Social Worker. Your plan administrator can confirm what is included.

OHIP coverage

OHIP covers therapy provided through some hospitals, community health centres and family health teams. It does not cover sessions with therapists in private practice, including Registered Social Workers, so private sessions are paid directly or through extended health benefits.

Payment

You can pay by credit card or by Interac e-Transfer. Your receipt is provided after each session so you can submit it to your insurance provider right away.

Cancellation policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed without notice, are charged the full session fee. Most insurance plans do not reimburse late cancellation fees.

How often you attend

Most clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions. Meeting regularly at the start helps build momentum and gives us time to understand what is happening for you. As things improve, many people move to sessions every two to four weeks. We decide on timing together, and you can change it whenever your needs or budget change.

The number of sessions you will need depends on what brings you to therapy and what you hope to change. Some people come for a focused set of sessions around one concern, and others prefer longer-term work. We can talk about this openly at any point.