In these times of great uncertainty, global conflict, and challenges occurring at almost every level of society (community, household, individual), the need for mental healthcare has never been greater. Approximately 1 in 7 Canadians use mental health care services annually, and it’s estimated that 3 million Canadians from the age of 18 and older have reported dealing with clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.
With more overwhelming events taking place in the world, increasing environmental challenges, and a greater sense of disconnectedness across people of all ages, Canadians stand to increasingly suffer from mental health issues. Now more than ever, we need to prioritize mental health care.
Psychotherapy and counselling in Canada is currently not covered by our national healthcare plan. It is largely provided on a 3-tier system: Therapy that is provided or subsidized by government-supported agencies and/or practitioners housed under a Physician’s clinic, therapy that is provided under employer-based insurance plans or EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), and private-pay therapy. With the latter two being potentially costly options for many, it’s worth understanding the basis for the cost of therapy services, and exactly what the return on your investment into therapy could be.
Keep reading to learn more!
The Regulation of Psychotherapy and Fees
As of April 1, 2015, the CRPO was established along with the mandate that only regulated professionals licensed with the CRPO (or an alternate permitting regulatory body) can perform and practice the controlled act of psychotherapy in Ontario. Appropriately trained individuals who are not registered with the CRPO can still provide the services of counselling, clinical counselling, therapy, and psychotherapy, provided none of the above involve or include the provision of the controlled act.
This is to protect the safety of clients, and to regulate the provision of therapy services in a manner that is consistent with appropriate levels of education and training credentials. This controlled act applies to both practitioners working in Ontario and practitioners who may reside outside of Ontario working with clients within the province.
Regulatory bodies such as the CRPO also provide standardized fees regarding the provision of healthcare services in Ontario, including Psychotherapy.
While therapy can be an important and in some cases, essential, part of taking care of your overall health, it can also be costly. We encourage individuals, including our clients, to weigh their options and think about how psychotherapy can benefit them and whether it’s within their budget.
Benefits to receiving therapy include, but are not limited to:
- Improve emotional regulation
- Increase self-awareness
- Improve communication skills
- Learn to resolve conflict
- Treat mental health conditions
- Develop coping skills and strategies
- Change negative thoughts and thinking patterns
- Build stronger, better relationships
- Change behaviour
- Improve your physical health
Therapy is an investment in you
We understand that therapy requires your time and money. We encourage you to see it as the best thing you could ever invest in: Yourself. One that you enjoy returns from for the rest of your life.
Life is beautiful, but it can also be hard. The quality of our mental health determines the quality of our lives. In the words of our founder Natasha Sharma: “How we feel is how we live.”
The most important thing we can do for ourselves, is to take care of ourselves. When our mental health declines, our energy, motivation, productivity, and relationships also suffer. Being in a calm, healthy headspace helps us tackle our problems, have better relationships, work toward goals with confidence, and most importantly, enjoy life more.
Wherever you are in life, at NKS Therapy, we will meet you there.
How much should you pay for therapy?
A quick bit of research will indicate that therapy in Ontario can range in cost anywhere from $80 – $350 per session. But what you receive for what you pay – and by whom – is an important consideration in determining the value you are receiving for your money. At NKS Therapy, we understand that every person’s situation is different. And we’re committed to providing a range of solutions to our clients.
Our fees start at $160 for Individual psychotherapy, and go up from there depending on a) The type of therapy you are receiving (e.g. Couples or Family Therapy), b) Whether your session is Virtual or In-Person (we offer in-person sessions in 4 locations across the Greater Toronto Area, and c) the seniority of your Psychotherapist. Every therapist on our team is Canadian; licensed and registered with the CRPO in the province of Ontario, and has a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience (going up to 20+ years for some of our most senior therapists).
We also offer a limited number of sliding scale options (reduced-rate sessions) for individuals who are experiencing financial hardship or lower income, on a case by case basis.
Most clinics offer 50-minute sessions, but we don’t believe in taking away 10 minutes of your time to do our notes. Your sessions with us are 60-minutes, and we also offer 90-minute sessions for those who need it.
If you’re looking to learn more about our services, you can try us for Free by scheduling a free Meet and Greet session with one of our therapists today. Contact us now!
At NKS Therapy, we are committed to accessible mental healthcare for all, whether it is with us or somewhere else. Listed below are resources that offer 100% FREE counselling services to Canadians and residents of Ontario:
– Wellness Together Canada (1-866-585-0445) offers FREE multilingual supports and short-term counselling for people in Canada and to Canadians abroad, 24-hours a day
– GoodToTalk (1-866-925-5454) is a FREE 24-hour mental health support for Post-Secondary Students in Ontario
– Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868; text CONNECT to 686868; chat at: kidshelpphone.ca), FREE
