Is My Mental Health Therapy Covered by OHIP?
If you are thinking about starting therapy or counseling in Ontario, one of the first questions you might ask is whether OHIP will cover the cost. The answer depends on who provides the therapy, where you receive it, and what type of mental health support you are seeking. OHIP covers counselling in limited circumstances. You are eligible if you see a psychiatrist with a referral, visit a family doctor trained in psychotherapy, or receive therapy through a public hospital or government-funded clinic . Understanding these distinctions can help you find the right support while avoiding unexpected costs. This guide explains what OHIP covers, how to access free therapy programs in Ontario, and what your options are when OHIP does not cover the care you need.
What mental health services does OHIP actually cover?
OHIP focuses on covering mental health services that are delivered by physicians or in publicly funded settings. If your therapy is delivered by a medical doctor or through a publicly funded program, it's likely covered . This means that if you see a psychiatrist with a referral from your family doctor, those appointments are fully covered by OHIP. OHIP pays for the consultation, diagnosis, and ongoing psychotherapy or medication management . Some family doctors, especially those who work in Family Health Teams, also provide mental health care such as cognitive behavioural therapy or supportive counseling, and these sessions are billed directly to OHIP at no cost to you. In addition, mental health services provided in hospitals, community health centres, or other publicly funded clinics are typically covered under OHIP.
Why does OHIP not cover therapy with psychologists or psychotherapists?
Mental health professionals working in private practice (i.e., psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers) are not covered by OHIP . The reason for this gap comes down to how OHIP defines medically necessary services. Services provided by medical doctors or delivered in hospital settings fall within the scope of OHIP coverage, but therapy delivered by non-physician mental health professionals in private practice does not, even when that therapy is clinically effective and deeply helpful. This creates a significant gap in Ontario's mental health system, as many people turn to private practitioners for more immediate or specialized support. Unless you have private insurance through work or school, or the therapist works within a publicly funded setting, you will need to pay out of pocket for sessions with psychologists, registered psychotherapists, or social workers in private practice.
How do I access free therapy through a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, and their services are fully covered by OHIP. To see a psychiatrist, you typically need a referral from your family doctor or a nurse practitioner. Once you have a referral, the psychiatrist can provide assessments, diagnoses, ongoing therapy, and prescribe medications if needed. However, it is important to know that wait times for psychiatrist appointments can be long, sometimes weeks or even months, depending on demand in your area. Additionally, many psychiatrists in Ontario focus primarily on medication management and diagnostic assessments rather than ongoing talk therapy, so the type of support you receive may be different from what you might expect with a psychologist or psychotherapist.
What is the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program?
The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program provides access to free, evidence-based psychotherapy and related approaches for individuals 18+ with depression, anxiety and anxiety-related concerns. OSP is structured to provide short-term support, focused on a particular problem or goal, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) . The program offers different levels of care depending on your needs, and many people start with self-guided resources like workbooks and telephone coaching before moving to more intensive services if needed. OSP services include phone-based coaching through the BounceBack program, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy, and individual or group therapy sessions delivered virtually or in person.
How do I access the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program?
A self-referral empowers you to decide if you need mental health support through the OSP program. You can fill out our form without the need of a doctor referring you, provided you are an adult 18+ and living in Ontario . To get started, you can visit the OSP website for your region and complete a self-referral form online. Your doctor or other healthcare provider can also refer you if that feels more comfortable. Once your referral is submitted, you will be cont
