You're juggling classes, co-op applications, rent and maybe a part-time job. Somewhere in there, your mental health has started to slide. You've heard your student plan "covers therapy," but what does that actually mean? How much is covered, who can you see and what's free on campus? This guide explains how to use your UW or Laurier student benefits for therapy in 2026 to 2027. It also covers the free supports you can use right now. Every plan detail below comes from the official plan and university websites, so you can check it yourself.
Plans change from year to year, so always double-check your own plan before you book.
Start with the free supports you already have
Before you think about insurance, look at what you can use at no cost.
University of Waterloo Campus Wellness Counselling Services
UW's Counselling Services are offered at no charge, and they're private and confidential. According to UW, they're for current undergrad and grad students living in Ontario. You can use them on study terms or co-op terms. Options include single-session counselling, which is a one-time, 90-minute appointment with a counsellor, in person or virtually. UW also offers evening appointments in the fall and winter terms, Monday to Thursday.
Laurier Student Wellness Centre
Laurier's Student Wellness Centre offers counselling. Each day, it also has a few same-day counsellor appointments. These are for students who are not in crisis but need to talk to someone.
Empower Me
Both universities connect students to Empower Me, a mental health service provided by Dialogue. The Laurier Students' Union says Empower Me is open to Laurier undergrad and grad students. It's available 24/7, 365 days a year. Its team includes people trained in psychology, psychotherapy and social work. UW's Counselling Services page also points students to Empower Me.
Good2Talk
Good2Talk offers free, confidential support for post-secondary students in Ontario. Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
Using UW student benefits for therapy
Both UW student health plans are administered by Alumo (formerly Studentcare).
UW undergraduate students (WUSA plan)
According to the WUSA plan:
The plan covers 80% of the cost of a mental health practitioner, up to $800 per calendar year.
The practitioner must be a licensed psychologist, psychotherapist or clinical counsellor, or have a Master's degree in Social Work.
Psychological testing for education assessment purposes is covered up to $400 per lifetime, for the insured student only.
UW graduate students (GSA-UW plan)
The GSA-UW plan lists the same mental health coverage. It pays 80% of the cost, up to $800 per calendar year. The list of practitioners is the same too. Psychological testing for education assessment is also covered up to $400 per lifetime.
Using Laurier student benefits for therapy
Laurier graduate students (WLU GSA plan)
The WLU Graduate Students' Association plan, also administered by Alumo, covers psychologists, clinical counsellors, Masters of Social Work and licensed psychotherapists at 60% per visit, up to an annual maximum of $400.
Laurier undergraduate students (Students' Union plan)
The Laurier Students' Union health plan covers health services that OHIP doesn't, including practitioners like social workers. The full benefit details, including the current mental health maximum and coverage percentage, are posted on StudentVIP at studentvip.ca/wlusu. Check there before you book, since amounts can change between plan years. The site also has a Provider Search Tool that shows nearby providers who offer student discounts and bill your plan directly.
What the coverage looks like in real life
Here's a simple example using round numbers. Your own session fee may be different.
UW plan (80%, $800 per calendar year): If a session costs $150, the plan pays $120 and you pay $30. The $800 maximum would cover about six sessions at that price.
Laurier grad plan (60%, $400 annual maximum): If a session costs $150, the plan pays $90 and you pay $60. The $400 maximum would cover about four sessions at that price.
A few sessions can go a long way, especially if you use them to build skills and a plan. You can also pair them with free campus supports.
Signs it might be time to use your benefits
You don't need to be in crisis to see a therapist. It might be time if:
you feel anxious or low most days
you can't focus, even when you try
you're falling behind and can't catch up
you've stopped doing things you enjoy
sleep, food or drinking habits have changed
a breakup, family issue or loss is weighing on you
you feel alone, even around people
Therapy can help with all of these. It's also a good place to talk through big choices, like switching programs or taking time off. Starting early often means you need fewer sessions, which helps your benefits go further.
Five steps before you book
1. Make sure you're on the plan
Each of these plans has an opt-out period for students who have other coverage. If you opted out, you may not be covered. The windows are short, and the dates are posted on your plan's website.
2. Check the practitioner type
Your plan only pays for the types of practitioners it lists. Ask the clinic about your therapist's credentials before your first session, and compare them with your plan.
3. Ask about direct billing
Some clinics can bill your plan directly, so you only pay your share at the appointment. Otherwise, you pay the full fee and submit a claim for reimbursement.
4. Keep your receipts
Save every receipt. You'll need them for claims, and they help you track how much of your maximum you've used.
5. Coordinate with other plans
If you're also covered by a parent's or partner's plan, you may be able to claim the rest there. The Laurier Students' Union notes that in many situations it's financially helpful to stay on the student plan and coordinate benefits with another plan.
Using your student benefits with us
We offer counselling for students. Counselling can help with stress, anxiety, low mood, relationships and more.
We can direct bill Alumo Student Benefits and StudentVIP, as long as the therapist you see meets your plan's requirements. Just ask when you book, and we'll help you check.
If cost is still a barrier, our free and low-cost counselling program offers sessions with supervised student therapists for $0 to $80. Student plans generally list licensed practitioners, so these sessions may not be claimable, but the lower fee can make therapy possible without insurance. Not everyone qualifies, so we'll talk it through with you.
Our Waterloo office is at 22 King St S in Uptown Waterloo, and we see students online across Ontario too. No referral is needed, and evening and weekend appointments help you fit therapy around classes.
If you need help right now
If you're in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time. In Waterloo Region, call Here 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247. Good2Talk is also available at 1-866-925-5454. If you're in immediate danger, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Does my student plan cover a registered psychotherapist?
The UW plans and the WLU GSA plan all list licensed psychotherapists. For the Laurier undergraduate plan, check the practitioner list on StudentVIP.
Do I need a doctor's referral to use my student benefits for therapy?
The WUSA plan page marks a referral as required for some other practitioners, like massage therapists, but not in its mental health section. Check your own plan to be sure. You don't need a referral to book with us.
Is on-campus counselling really free?
UW says its Counselling Services are offered at no charge to eligible students. Check with Laurier's Student Wellness Centre about its current services.
Take the next step
You've already paid for these benefits, so it makes sense to use them. Book a free 15-minute consultation and we'll help you figure out how your plan works with us.