How Much Does Couples Counselling Cost in Ontario, and Do Benefits Cover It?

See our online couples counselling page for how sessions with Agustina work and what to expect.

You have both agreed to try couples counselling. That alone took courage. Then the practical questions arrive: how much is this going to cost, and can we actually afford it right now?

Money is already a sore spot for many couples, so it makes sense to want clear answers before you start. Here is a plain-language guide to what affects the cost, what OHIP and benefits may cover, and how to make it work for your budget.

What Affects the Cost of Couples Counselling in Ontario

There is no single provincial price list. Fees for private couples counselling vary depending on:

• Who you see. Registered Psychotherapists, registered social workers and psychologists set their own fees, which can differ by profession and experience.
• Session length. Couples sessions are sometimes longer than individual sessions, to give both partners room to speak.
• How often you meet. Weekly sessions add up faster than every two weeks, though early momentum can help.
• How long you go. Some couples come for a focused stretch of sessions, others for longer.

The best way to know the real cost is to ask a therapist directly. A good practice will tell you its fees clearly before you book.

What Couples Counselling Costs at Buena Vita Therapy

Our individual sessions are $185 for 50 minutes or $270 for 75 minutes. For couples session fees, please see our fees and insurance page or ask during your free 15-minute consult, and we will give you a clear answer before you commit to anything.

Couples counselling with us is offered by Agustina Jorquera, Ed.D., RP, online across Ontario, in English or Spanish. Learn more on our couples counselling page.

Does OHIP Cover Couples Counselling?

In most cases, no. OHIP pays for many services from doctors and hospitals, but it does not cover private counselling with a Registered Psychotherapist, social worker or psychologist in private practice. You can read what the plan includes on the Government of Ontario's What OHIP covers page.

Ontario does offer some free mental health services, mostly for individuals rather than couples. The province's mental health services page lists options such as the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program and community services. Some community agencies offer relationship counselling on a sliding scale, so it can be worth asking locally if cost is a barrier.

Do Workplace Benefits Cover Couples Counselling?

Sometimes. Many extended health plans include coverage for services provided by Registered Psychotherapists, but coverage varies by plan, and couples sessions can raise extra questions. Before your first session, call your insurer or check your benefits app and ask:

1. Does my plan cover a Registered Psychotherapist (RP)?
2. Are couples or joint sessions eligible, or individual sessions only?
3. What is my annual maximum, and is there a per-session limit or percentage?
4. Whose name should the receipt be in, and can we split claims between both of our plans?
5. Do I need a referral or doctor's note?

If both partners have benefits, ask both insurers. Some couples use one plan first, then the other, but the rules are set by each plan, so confirm before you assume.

How receipts work with us

We do not direct bill. You pay at the time of each session, and we provide an itemized receipt with your therapist's name, credentials and CRPO registration number. You can submit it to your extended health plan through your insurer's app or website.

Other Ways to Make It More Affordable

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP). Many employers offer a few free, short-term counselling sessions, sometimes including couples sessions. Check your HR portal.
• Health Spending Account. If your employer offers one, it may be usable for therapy. Ask your plan administrator.
• Medical expense tax credit. The Canada Revenue Agency lists Ontario registered psychotherapists as authorized medical practitioners for the medical expense tax credit. Keep your receipts and ask your tax preparer whether unreimbursed fees qualify for you.
• Session spacing. Some couples meet weekly at first, then space sessions out as things settle.

For a broader look at therapy costs, read how much is therapy in Ontario, and does OHIP cover it.

What You Are Paying For in the First Few Sessions

It can help to know what actually happens, so the cost feels less like a leap into the unknown.

In the first session, your therapist usually gets to know you both: how you met, what is working, what keeps going wrong, and what each of you hopes will change. Some therapists also meet each partner once on their own, so each person can share things they may not yet feel ready to say in front of the other.

Over the next few sessions, you start to map the pattern you get stuck in, practise slowing conversations down, and try new ways of asking for what you need. You should leave most sessions with something concrete to try at home. If you ever feel the sessions are not helping, say so. A good therapist will welcome that conversation and adjust.

Is Couples Counselling Worth the Cost?

Only you can answer that, but it may help to think about what the current pattern is already costing you: the sleepless nights after a fight, the distance, the energy that goes into avoiding certain topics. Research on couples therapy is encouraging. Our post on the success rate of couples therapy walks through what studies have found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Investing in the Two of You

Picture the two of you a few months from now, talking through a hard topic without it turning into a fight, and feeling like you are on the same side again.

We cannot promise how counselling will unfold for any couple. But you deserve clear information and a team that makes starting feel simple.

Prefer to write first? You can contact us with any question.

This article is general information only. It is not financial, tax or insurance advice. Benefit and tax rules vary; check with your insurer, plan administrator or tax preparer.