Fees and coverage

Know the financial structure before treatment begins.

Services are private-pay unless a specific insurer or public benefit approves the assigned clinician and service. Coverage varies by provider, treatment format, authorization, and plan rules. Do not assume that a group, skills-training, guided, or specialized pathway is covered.

Individual counselling: $140–$225 per 50-minute session
Group counselling: $60–$90 per session
Program-specific billing schedules may apply
Fees are confirmed before treatment begins

Coverage is client- and plan-specific

Eligibility can depend on clinician credentials, service type, authorization, annual limits, referral requirements, and the wording of the individual benefit contract.

Clinician-reviewed intake
Clear service recommendation
No referral required
No obligation to continue

Current fee structure

Private-pay care with transparent ranges

Rates can vary by clinician, income, program, session length, and benefit arrangement. Fees are subject to change for new clients; current clients receive notice of increases.

Individual counselling

$140–$225 for a 50-minute session.

Group counselling

$60–$90 per session per participant.

Guided Self-Help

$65–$100 per guidance session depending on group status, experience, and length.

Emotional Relief

$35–$95 per session, generally billed in blocks of four; current pay-in-full range $420–$1,140.

Coverage pathways

Confirm before relying on reimbursement

The clinic can provide information about the service and clinician. The insurer or funding program makes the final coverage decision.

Private insurance

Ask whether counselling, psychotherapy, or psychological services from the assigned clinician are reimbursable, and whether a referral or annual maximum applies.

NIHB

Approved First Nations and Inuit clients may access eligible mental-health counselling after authorization. Provider and service eligibility must be confirmed.

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

Current Métis Nation–Saskatchewan mental-health funding for these services has not been confirmed and should not be assumed. Contact the clinic and MN–S directly before relying on this route.

Common benefit and funding providers

Confirm coverage before treatment begins

Private insurance and public benefits assess the assigned clinician and service format—not the label “DBT” alone. NIHB may cover eligible mental-health counselling after eligibility, provider, and authorization requirements are met; some skills-training or workshop-style group formats may be excluded.

NIHB

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

Victims Services Saskatchewan

Blue Cross

GreenShield

Canada Life

Sun Life

Manulife

Questions to ask your benefit provider

A five-minute call can prevent an expensive misunderstanding

1. Which provider credentials are covered?

Confirm whether the plan covers the specific clinician’s counselling, psychotherapy, or psychology designation.

2. What is the annual or per-session maximum?

Ask about deductibles, coinsurance, dollar limits, and how the plan year is defined.

3. Are group sessions reimbursable?

Some plans cover individual psychotherapy but exclude skills-training, psychoeducational, guided, or group formats. Obtain written confirmation for the exact program.

4. Is a referral required?

Ask whether a physician referral or preauthorization is needed before the first appointment.

5. How must receipts be submitted?

Confirm required provider numbers, diagnostic information, claim forms, or electronic submission rules.

6. Does the plan reimburse virtual care?

Verify whether secure online appointments are treated differently from in-person services.

Common questions

What people usually want to know before starting

When is payment due?

The current public policy states that counselling fees are due at the end of the session. Program-specific payment schedules may apply.

Does the clinic bill private insurers directly?

The current general model is private-pay. Clients determine reimbursement and submit claims according to their plan.

Are mental-health services subject to GST?

The current public fee information states that eligible mental-health services are GST-exempt.

Can funding cover all services?

Not necessarily. Approval depends on client eligibility, provider status, service format, authorization, hours, and current program rules. Skills-training or workshop-style groups may be excluded even when individual counselling is eligible.

Will fees ever change?

Fees may change for new clients. The public policy states that current clients receive 30 days’ notice of fee increases.

Can the intake confirm my exact out-of-pocket cost?

The clinic can confirm its fee and known funding arrangements. Only the insurer or funding body can guarantee reimbursement.

A practical next step

Clarify fit, format, and coverage before committing to treatment.

Bring coverage questions to the intake so the clinical recommendation, exact service format, and practical payment plan can be reviewed together. Completing intake does not commit you to treatment.