Short answer: In Kingston, private therapy typically costs between $150 and $225 for a 50-minute session, depending on the therapist’s profession and experience. At Cataraqui Counselling Clinic, individual sessions are $165 to $185. OHIP does not cover therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker in private practice. Still, many extended health benefit plans do, and as of June 2024, psychotherapy is exempt from HST.
What therapy costs in Kingston
Fees vary mostly by the therapist’s profession, training, and years of experience. As a general guide for the Kingston area:
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- Registered Psychotherapists (RP) and Registered Social Workers (RSW): roughly $150-$185 per 50-minute session.
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- Psychologists: often higher, around $200-$250 per session, showing their doctoral-level training and ability to provide formal diagnoses.
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- Supervised student interns: reduced-fee sessions (at our clinic, $80), a good option if cost is a barrier.
At Cataraqui Counselling Clinic, individual sessions range from $165 to $185, depending on the therapist, and last 50 minutes.
Why do therapy fees vary so much?
Three things mostly drive the price: the therapist’s profession and credentials, their experience and areas of specialization, and the session length. A highly specialized therapist, for example, one trained in a specific evidence-based treatment, may charge more, but specialized care can also mean fewer sessions to reach your goals.
Does insurance cover therapy in Kingston?
Often, yes, through extended health benefits, not OHIP. Many workplace and private insurance plans cover a set dollar amount per year for mental health services. The key is to check whether your plan covers your therapist’s specific designation. Look in your plan for coverage of “psychotherapy,” “Registered Psychotherapist (RP),” “social worker,” or “psychologist”—plans differ on which they reimburse.
Most private clinics, including ours, provide a receipt after each session that you submit to your insurer for reimbursement. We do not offer direct billing at this time.
Good news: no HST on therapy
As of June 20, 2024, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services in Canada are exempt from GST/HST. That means there’s no sales tax added to your session fee; the price you’re quoted is the price you pay.
Does OHIP cover therapy?
OHIP does not cover therapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker in private practice. It does cover psychotherapy when a physician delivers it, and Ontario also offers free, publicly funded programs. We cover this fully in a companion post: “Does OHIP Cover Therapy in Ontario? What’s Actually Covered.”
Confirm before publishing: Internal link; point this to Post 2 once it’s published.
Lower-cost and free options
If the standard fees are out of reach, you have options in and around Kingston:
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- Supervised student interns at a reduced rate (our clinic offers $80 sessions).
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- The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program: free, publicly funded CBT for adults with depression or anxiety. You can self-refer.
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- Community mental health agencies and hospital outpatient programs in the Kingston area, which may offer free or sliding-scale support.
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- Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) through your or your partner’s workplace, which often include a few free sessions.
Confirm before publishing:
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 to check your coverage in five minutes
Call the number on your benefits card, or log in to your insurer’s portal, and ask three questions: Does my plan cover psychotherapy or counselling? Which designations are covered (RP, social worker, psychologist)? And how much am I covered for per year? That tells you exactly what you’ll pay out of pocket before you book.
Your first step is free
You don’t have to commit to anything to find out if therapy is right for you. At Cataraqui Counselling Clinic, the first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation, a no-pressure chance to ask about fees, coverage, and fit before you book a session.