Thinking about therapy often starts with one simple question: what will this cost me? In Ontario, the answer depends a lot on who you see. Student therapists, Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, psychologists and psychiatrists are all paid for in different ways. This guide walks through therapy cost in Ontario by provider type, what OHIP does and doesn't pay for, and simple ways to make therapy fit your budget.
This guide is general information to help you compare options. If you just want our fee table, see our pricing and services page.
Why therapy prices vary so much
Therapy in Ontario isn't one service with one price. Different professionals are trained and regulated in different ways, and they do different kinds of work. Some mainly provide talk therapy. Others also assess and diagnose. A few are paid for by OHIP, but most are not.
The type of session matters too. Individual sessions, couples sessions and family sessions are often priced differently. One-time services, like a psychological assessment, are priced on their own.
That's why two quotes can look very different. Once you know who does what, the numbers are much easier to compare.
Is therapy covered by OHIP?
For most people, the short answer is no. Therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or a psychologist in private practice is not covered by OHIP. You pay for it yourself, use workplace benefits, or use a mix of both.
Visits with a psychiatrist are covered by OHIP. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, and their focus is usually diagnosis and medication rather than weekly talk therapy.
Therapy cost by provider type
Here is how cost breaks down by type of provider. The numbers below are our own fees at Transformation Counselling, for 50-minute sessions.
Student therapists
Student therapists are in the final stage of their training. They see clients under the supervision of experienced, licensed clinicians. A session with one of our student therapists costs $0 to $80, depending on their level of experience.
This is our most affordable way to start. It can be a good fit if you don't have benefits, or if your benefits run out part way through the year. Coverage for student sessions varies from plan to plan, so check yours if you plan to claim.
Registered Psychotherapists (RPs)
RPs are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. They provide talk therapy for things like anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma, grief and relationship problems.
With our RPs, individual sessions are $130 to $200. Couples and family sessions are $170 to $200.
Registered Social Workers (RSWs)
RSWs are regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Many hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) with training in therapy. Like our RPs, the RSWs on our team provide therapy.
Our RSW fees are the same as our RP fees: $130 to $200 for an individual session, and $170 to $200 for a couples or family session.
If the price is the same, how do you choose? Often it comes down to fit and to your insurance. Some plans cover one type of professional and not the other, or have extra rules, so it's worth checking before your first session.
Psychologists
Psychologists are regulated by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. They can assess and diagnose mental health conditions, such as ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety or depression.
Psychologist services, like assessments and diagnosis, are priced separately from therapy sessions, and the cost depends on the service. We go over psychologist fees with you in your free 15-minute consultation, so you know what to expect before you commit to anything.
Nurse practitioners and psychiatrists
Nurse practitioners (NPs) can diagnose and can prescribe medication. Our team includes NPs, and you can ask how NP care works at our clinic during your free consultation.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on mental health. As noted above, their visits are covered by OHIP.
The one-time setup fee
New clients at our clinic pay a one-time $50 setup fee when they book their first full-length session. It isn't charged for the free 15-minute consultation.
The fee covers the work of getting you started, like matching you with a therapist, reviewing your intake information and setting up your secure client portal. It is separate from your session fee and can't be claimed on insurance.
What will therapy cost in total?
The price per session is only part of the picture. Your total depends on how often you meet and for how long.
There is no set number of sessions. Some people come for a handful of sessions to work through one clear problem. Others come for several months while they work on something that runs deeper. Many people start weekly or every two weeks, then space sessions out as they feel steadier.
To get a rough idea, multiply the session fee by the number of sessions you expect, then add the setup fee. For example, six individual sessions with one of our RPs or RSWs would cost between $780 (at $130) and $1,200 (at $200), plus the $50 setup fee, before any insurance.
Your therapist can talk with you about how often to meet. You can change the plan at any time.
Ways to lower what you pay
Therapy is an investment in yourself, but there are ways to make it more manageable.
Use your workplace benefits. Many extended health plans cover some therapy with RPs or RSWs. Look for your yearly maximum and any rules about which professionals are covered.
Ask about direct billing. We can bill many insurance plans directly, so you don't have to pay the full amount up front and wait to be paid back.
Use a Health Spending Account. If your employer gives you one, it can often be used for therapy. We accept Health Spending Accounts.
Try a student therapist. At $0 to $80 a session, this is our lowest-cost option.
Space out your sessions. Once things feel more stable, meeting every two or three weeks can stretch your budget.
Tell us if cost is a worry. We would rather talk it through with you than have money stop you from reaching out.
Questions to ask before you book
Before your first session, it helps to ask a few simple questions. You can bring these to your free consultation.
What is this therapist's fee, and how long is each session?
Is there a setup or intake fee?
Can you bill my insurance directly?
What is your cancellation policy?
Does my plan cover this type of professional?
If I need an assessment later, what would it cost?
How we can help you plan
You don't have to figure out the costs alone. In your free 15-minute consultation, our team can walk through our fees, help you think about which type of provider fits what you need and answer questions about your benefits. You can also send us a picture of your benefits card, and we will help you check your coverage.
We have been helping people across Waterloo Region since 2016. Today we see clients in person in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Ottawa, and online across Ontario. No referral is needed, and evening and weekend appointments are available. For more on what is included in our fees, read how much counselling costs at our clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Is a more expensive therapist always better?
Not always. How well you connect with your therapist matters a lot. A therapist who fits your needs and your style is worth more than a higher price tag.
How long is a therapy session?
Our standard sessions are 50 minutes, for individuals, couples and families.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No. You can book with us directly.
Take the first step without the guesswork
Knowing the numbers can take a lot of stress out of starting therapy. Book a free 15-minute consultation with our team to talk about fees, benefits and the right fit for you. There is no cost and no pressure.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Psychotherapy, CAMH
Finding a psychotherapist (community resource sheet, PDF), CAMH
What are the different types of mental health professionals?, Canadian Medical Association