Cost of Psychotherapy
qualifications and personal fit will decide whether or not you'll receive a useful and valuable service
Cost is an obvious factor in deciding on any service. In the case of psychotherapy, and if you live in Toronto, or anywhere else in Ontario for that matter, things can get a bit complicated. The Ontario Health Insurance plan covers psychotherapy with a medical doctor. This is a very attractive option indeed, But, it does have some disadvantages and it is not your only option.
As much as money is often a very legitimate concern, it shouldn't be the only one when it comes to your mental health and well being. Keep in mind qualifications and personal fit; at the end of the day, these criteria will decide whether or not you'll receive a useful and valuable service.
1- The services of a general MD or a psychiatrist (FRCP) are covered by OHIP. However, these practitioners tend to be overbooked. Some of them (especially the good ones) have waiting lists that, sadly, can keep you hanging anywhere from six months to three years. If you need to deal with your issues right now, your best bet is to consult a psychotherapist who is not covered by OHIP.
2- Some private health insurance plans may reimburse part of your costs if you choose to see someone not covered by OHIP. This can range anywhere from a few hundreds to a couple of thousands of dollars a year. Some plans will restrict coverage to work done with clinical psychologists as opposed to psychotherapists or counsellors. Discuss these options with the therapist you're considering working with.
3- You may decide that finding someone with whom you feel comfortable is your first priority. As you figure out your finances and how much you can actually afford to invest in your psychotherapy, remember that your costs can be tax deductable as an "uninsured medical expense" when accompanied by a doctor's note. This means that, at the end of the day, your therapy will be costing you less than what you had originally thought.
Something to consider regarding scenario no. 3: with some psychotherapists, myself included, the standard rates are sometimes adjusted to the kind of therapy we're doing (whether it is brief or long-term) and to the weekly frequency of the sessions. Some of us also set aside a few sessions a week for sliding scale rates. These sessions are reserved specifically for individuals on a low or limited income. Find out what options you have and think about what is going to work best for you.