One of the main reasons that people decide not to try therapy is the cost, which can often seem rather expensive. In this article, we’ll break down the therapy price for various services, discuss the factors that can affect the price, and explain how you can claim these costs as medical expenses on your income tax return. Please note, however, that the prices outlined may be subject to change depending on the factors we discuss such as type of therapy and duration of sessions.
How Much Does Therapy Cost in Ontario?
The average cost of therapy in Ontario typically ranges from $100 to $500 per session. The following is a breakdown of prices for our mental health services at Positive Mind Wellness:
Factors Affecting the Cost of Therapy
There are many factors that ultimately affect the cost of therapy. These factors include:
Type of Therapy
Depending on the type of therapy you get and how many people are involved, prices could be higher or lower. For example, as seen in the above breakdown, couples counselling is more expensive than individual psychotherapy.
Experience and Qualifications of the Therapist
You may be charged higher fees if the therapist you’re working with is highly experienced, has an advanced degree, or specialized training.
Session Duration
The length of time each session takes can also affect the price, with shorter sessions being cheaper and longer sessions being more expensive.
Frequency of Sessions
The overall cost for therapy is greatly affected by how many sessions you have and how frequent they are. The more frequent the sessions, the most expensive the cost.
Specialized Therapies
Depending on your needs, your therapist may use specialized therapies or therapeutic techniques that could result in additional fees.
Additional Services
Outside of regular sessions, your therapist may offer additional services such as psychological and educational assessments, email support, or phone consultations which could mean extra costs.
Insurance Coverage
Your health insurance may cover most, if not all, of the costs for mental health services. Make sure to check your plan or talk to your insurance provider to see whether or not you are covered.
Out-of-Pocket Payment
If you don’t have insurance or the insurance you do have doesn’t cover therapy, you’ll have to pay for everything out-of-pocket.
Claiming Therapy Costs as Medical Expenses in Canada
Final Thoughts
Throughout this article, we’ve discussed the average therapy session cost, with a breakdown of the prices related to various services like psychotherapy and couples counselling. We also outlined different factors that affect therapy costs and the requirements that need to be met to claim these costs as medical expenses on your income tax return.
At Positive Mind Wellness, we are here to help improve your quality of life in any way we can. Contact us today to get started.
