Does insurance cover therapy in Canada?
Last reviewed: May 2026
Many Canadians are surprised to discover that their employer health benefits cover a meaningful portion of psychotherapy costs. Understanding how your plan works can make the difference between accessing care and delaying it indefinitely.
The short answer: yes, often
Most group health benefit plans in Canada include a mental health or paramedical coverage category that covers registered psychotherapists, registered social workers, or both — in addition to psychologists. The annual coverage typically ranges from $500 to $2,500 depending on your plan, employer, and tier.
Some plans distinguish between provider types: they may cover psychologists but not RPs, or cover RSWs but not RPs, or cover all regulated mental health professionals equally. The key is checking your specific plan's wording rather than assuming.
What to check in your benefits plan
Log into your plan's member portal or call your plan administrator and confirm: (1) whether the plan includes mental health or paramedical coverage; (2) which provider types are listed as eligible (look for Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, Psychologist); (3) what the annual maximum is and whether it has a per-session cap; (4) whether sessions require a physician's referral or pre-authorization; and (5) whether the plan reimburses you after you pay, or whether your therapist can bill the plan directly.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Many employers also offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides a small number of free therapy sessions — typically 3 to 8 — through a third-party provider. EAP sessions are confidential and do not require a referral. They are a useful starting point if you are not sure whether ongoing therapy is right for you, but their limited number means they are usually not sufficient for more complex or longer-term concerns.