Short answer: No. OHIP does not cover therapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker in private practice. OHIP does cover psychotherapy when a physician (your family doctor or a psychiatrist) delivers it, and Ontario also offers free, publicly funded programs such as the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. Private therapy in Kingston is usually covered through extended health benefits.
What OHIP does cover
OHIP covers mental health care delivered by a physician. In practice, that means:
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- Psychotherapy or counselling your family doctor provides during an appointment.
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- Sessions with a psychiatrist, which require a referral from your family doctor and are fully covered by OHIP.
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- Mental health services delivered through hospitals and publicly funded community programs.
The tradeoff is usually access: psychiatrists often have long waitlists, and family doctors have limited time for ongoing therapy.
What OHIP does not cover
OHIP does not cover therapy provided in private practice by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), psychologist, or Registered Social Worker (RSW). These are the professionals most people see for ongoing, specialized talk therapy, and their sessions are paid for privately or through extended health benefits.
Free and low-cost options funded by Ontario
The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program
The OSP Program offers free, publicly funded cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults aged 18 and older experiencing depression or anxiety-related concerns. It offers guided self-help resources, as well as one-on-one and group sessions. Your doctor or care team can refer you, or you can self-refer through your regional network. It’s a strong first option if your concern is depression or anxiety, and cost is a barrier.
Community and hospital programs
Community mental health agencies and hospital outpatient programs across Ontario provide free or low-cost support, often including crisis services, groups, and short-term counselling.
Addiction and Mental Health (AMHS): amhs-kfla.ca
Centre for Abuse and Trauma: https://www.centrefortreatment.com/
Sexual Assault Centre Kingston: https://www.sackingston.com/
Victim Services: https://victimserviceskingston.ca/
How private therapy actually gets paid for
Most people who see an RP, psychologist, or social worker pay through one of two routes. Many have extended health benefits through work that reimburse a set amount per year for mental health services. You pay at the time of your session and submit the receipt for reimbursement. Others pay out of pocket. In both cases, as of June 20, 2024, there is no HST on psychotherapy services, so the quoted fee is the full cost.
Why many people choose private therapy anyway
Even without OHIP coverage, people often choose a private Registered Psychotherapist for three reasons: shorter wait times than the public system, the ability to choose a therapist who fits them, and access to therapists with specialized training for particular concerns. If you’re looking for a particular evidence-based approach, for example, specialized treatment for OCD, a private clinic is often where you’ll find it.
How to find out what you’re covered for
Two quick checks: for OHIP-covered options, talk to your family doctor about a psychiatry referral or the OSP Program. For private therapy, call the number on your benefits card and ask whether your plan covers psychotherapy, which designations (RP, social worker, psychologist) are included, and your annual maximum. That way, you’ll know every option available to you.