How Much Does Therapy Cost in London, Ontario? Fees, Insurance & What to Expect
If you have been thinking about starting therapy, one of the first practical questions you might have is:
How much is this actually going to cost?
It is a reasonable question.
Therapy fees are not always easy to compare. One therapist might charge for 50 minutes, another for 60. Fees can vary based on credentials, experience and the type of service being offered. Then there is insurance, workplace benefits, OHIP and the question of how often you actually need to attend.
If you are looking for therapy in London, Ontario, understanding the financial side before you book can make the process feel much less uncertain.
Here is what you should know.
How Much Does Therapy Cost in London, Ontario?
There is no single standard price for private therapy in London.
At the time of writing, many therapists and psychology practices in London advertise individual session fees ranging from approximately $120 to $225 per session, depending on the clinician, professional designation and length of the appointment. Many Registered Psychotherapists currently advertise rates around $150 to $175 for an individual session.
That does not mean every therapist will fall within that range.
You may find therapy that costs less, particularly with qualifying therapists, interns, reduced-fee programs or sliding-scale services. You may also find higher fees for psychologists, specialized treatment, couples therapy, assessments or extended sessions.
The important thing is to look beyond the number itself and understand exactly what the fee includes.
Why Do Therapy Fees Vary?
Therapy fees can vary for several reasons.
Professional Credentials
Different mental health professionals have different education, regulatory requirements and scopes of practice.
You may encounter:
Registered Psychotherapists
Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying)
Registered Social Workers
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Other regulated professionals who provide psychotherapy
Their fees may differ based on education, experience, specialization and the type of service being provided.
A higher fee does not automatically mean someone will be a better therapist for you.
Likewise, a lower fee does not mean you are receiving lower-quality support.
The therapeutic relationship, the therapist's experience with your concerns and whether their approach works for you all matter.
How Long Is a Therapy Session?
This is another reason comparing fees can be confusing.
What people casually call a "one-hour therapy session" is often around 50 minutes of direct session time.
Other practices offer different appointment lengths.
You might see:
30-minute check-in sessions
50-minute standard sessions
60-minute sessions
75-minute sessions
80-minute extended sessions
90-minute sessions
Longer is not automatically better.
Some people benefit from a standard session that fits easily into their week. Others may want additional time when working through something more complex or when they prefer more space to process without feeling rushed.
At Elevated Mindset Therapy, our current service options include 30-minute check-in sessions for $70 and 80-minute extended sessions for $195, alongside our regular therapy options.
The right session length depends on what feels useful and sustainable for you.
How Often Do You Need to Go to Therapy?
There is no universal schedule that works for everyone.
Some clients begin with weekly sessions.
Others attend every two weeks.
Some people use therapy more frequently during a particularly challenging period and space sessions out as things begin to feel more manageable.
Your schedule may depend on:
what you are working through
your goals
your therapist's recommendation
your availability
your financial situation
how much support feels useful
This matters when thinking about the real cost of therapy.
For example, a $150 session attended weekly would represent a very different monthly expense than the same session attended twice per month.
You should feel comfortable discussing frequency openly with your therapist.
Therapy should not feel like a subscription you are locked into.
What Could Therapy Cost Per Month?
It can help to look at the cost monthly rather than thinking about one appointment at a time.
If a therapy session costs $150:
Attending once per month would cost approximately $150 per month.
Attending every two weeks would generally cost approximately $300 per month.
Attending weekly could cost approximately $600 to $750 in a typical month, depending on how the calendar falls.
Those numbers are only examples.
Your actual cost will depend on your therapist's fee, appointment length, insurance coverage and how frequently you decide to attend.
This is also why it is worth having a conversation about frequency rather than assuming therapy has to happen weekly forever.
Is Therapy Covered by OHIP in Ontario?
This is an important distinction.
OHIP covers many medically necessary physician and hospital services in Ontario. Mental health services provided through certain physicians, psychiatrists, hospitals and publicly funded programs may therefore be covered.
Private psychotherapy with an independent Registered Psychotherapist, however, is generally paid privately or through extended health benefits rather than through OHIP. Ontario's OHIP information confirms coverage for medically necessary physician and hospital services, while private London practices typically identify psychotherapy outside those settings as a private-pay service.
So if you are booking directly with a private psychotherapy practice, do not assume OHIP will cover the session.
Ask before booking if you are unsure.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy?
It might.
Many workplace and private extended health benefit plans provide some form of mental health coverage.
The important word is some.
Insurance plans vary significantly.
One person's benefits might cover Registered Psychotherapists. Another person's policy might only cover psychologists or social workers. Some plans provide a yearly dollar amount. Others may reimburse a percentage of each session up to an annual maximum.
Before booking, contact your insurance provider and ask specifically about the professional designation of the therapist you are considering.
If you are seeing someone who is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), use that full designation when asking your insurer.
Do not simply ask:
"Does my plan cover therapy?"
That question can be too vague.
Instead, ask:
"Does my plan cover psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario?"
Then ask:
"How much coverage do I have per calendar year?"
And:
"Is there a percentage limit or maximum amount per session?"
Those three questions can save you a lot of confusion later.
How Does Therapy Insurance Usually Work?
Depending on the practice and your insurance company, there are generally two possibilities.
You Pay and Submit Your Receipt
You pay for the therapy session and receive a receipt.
You then submit that receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement according to your plan.
For example, if your plan reimburses 80 percent of eligible psychotherapy expenses and the session costs $150, your insurer may reimburse $120 while you pay the remaining $30.
That example assumes the full fee is eligible and you have not reached your annual maximum.
Your policy may work differently.
Direct Billing
Some practices can submit eligible therapy expenses directly to certain insurance providers.
Even when direct billing is available, you may still be responsible for a deductible, percentage or amount that your plan does not cover.
Always confirm what your particular therapist offers and what your insurance plan permits.
What Does an Annual Insurance Maximum Mean?
This is where people sometimes get caught off guard.
Imagine your benefits provide $600 per year for psychotherapy.
If your therapist charges $150 per session and your plan covers the full eligible amount, that $600 would cover four sessions.
After that, you would generally be responsible for the remaining therapy costs for the rest of the benefit year.
If your plan covers only a percentage of each session, the calculation will be different.
It is worth finding out:
your annual mental health maximum
which professional designations are eligible
whether there is a maximum amount per visit
what percentage is reimbursed
when your benefit year resets
Knowing that upfront lets you make a realistic plan rather than discovering after several appointments that your coverage has run out.
What If I Do Not Have Insurance?
Not having insurance does not automatically mean therapy is out of reach, although private therapy can certainly represent a meaningful expense.
There are a few things worth exploring.
Ask About Different Session Lengths
A full standard session is not always the only option.
At Elevated Mindset Therapy, for example, 30-minute check-in sessions are available for $70.
Shorter sessions will not be appropriate for every situation, but they can sometimes provide an additional option for clients who want a focused touchpoint.
Ask About Session Frequency
You can talk to your therapist about whether weekly, biweekly or another frequency makes sense for your situation.
The answer should be based on your needs, not simply on maximizing the number of appointments.
Ask About Sliding-Scale or Reduced-Fee Options
Some therapists and clinics reserve a limited number of lower-fee spaces.
Availability varies, so it is worth asking rather than assuming.
Explore Community Mental Health Resources
London also has community, nonprofit, hospital and publicly funded mental health resources.
The appropriate service depends on what you need, and availability or eligibility requirements can vary.
Private therapy is one option for mental health support. It is not the only option.
Is Virtual Therapy Cheaper Than In-Person Therapy?
Not necessarily.
Many therapists charge the same professional fee whether the appointment happens virtually or in person because the clinical time and professional service are the same.
Some practices may price services differently, so always check.
Even when the session fee is identical, virtual therapy may reduce some indirect costs.
You may save on:
transportation
parking
travel time
childcare arrangements
time away from work
For someone with a busy schedule, those differences can matter.
Elevated Mindset Therapy offers both in-person therapy in London, Ontario and virtual therapy, giving clients the option to choose the format that works best for their lives.
What About Walk & Talk Therapy?
Walk & Talk Therapy is another option for people who do not love the idea of sitting across from someone in a traditional therapy office.
Sessions take place outdoors while you and your therapist walk together.
Some clients find that movement and being outside make conversation feel more natural.
The fee and length of Walk & Talk Therapy vary between practices, so it is worth checking directly with the therapist.
At Elevated Mindset Therapy, Walk & Talk Therapy is one of the session formats available to clients.
Do I Need a Doctor's Referral to See a Private Therapist?
In most cases, you can contact a private psychotherapy practice yourself.
You do not generally need to wait for your family doctor to tell you that you are "ready" for therapy before reaching out.
However, your insurance plan may have its own requirements.
If coverage is important to you, check your policy before your first appointment.
Is Therapy Worth the Cost?
That is a more personal question.
Therapy is not a product where you can guarantee a particular result after a certain number of sessions.
It is a collaborative process.
People come to therapy for many different reasons, including:
anxiety
stress
burnout
people-pleasing
relationship difficulties
body image concerns
self-esteem
life transitions
perfectionism
feeling overwhelmed
feeling stuck
wanting to understand themselves more clearly
For some people, paying for therapy means making room in their budget for something they have neglected for a long time.
For others, private therapy simply is not financially realistic right now.
Both realities deserve to be acknowledged.
You should never feel embarrassed asking a therapist about their fees.
Financial considerations are part of choosing care that is sustainable for you.
Questions to Ask About Therapy Fees Before Booking
Before committing to a therapist in London, it can help to ask:
What is your fee per session?
How long is each appointment?
Do you offer different session lengths?
Are your services covered by extended health insurance?
What professional designation will appear on my receipt?
Do you provide receipts for reimbursement?
Do you offer direct billing?
What is your cancellation policy?
Do you offer sliding-scale or reduced-fee appointments?
How frequently do you usually recommend meeting?
A therapist should be able to answer these questions clearly.
You should know what you are agreeing to financially before therapy begins.
Looking for Therapy in London, Ontario?
If you are thinking about starting therapy and want a space that feels warm, collaborative and down-to-earth, Elevated Mindset Therapy offers support for adults in London, Ontario.
We work with adults navigating concerns including anxiety, stress, burnout, people-pleasing, difficult relationships, self-esteem, body image, life transitions and other experiences that can make life feel heavier than it needs to.
Therapy options include:
In-Person Therapy in London
Virtual Therapy
Walk & Talk Therapy
30-Minute Check-In Sessions
Extended 80-Minute Sessions
You can also begin with a complimentary 15-minute consultation to ask questions, talk about what is bringing you to therapy and see whether working together feels like the right fit.
There is no expectation that you need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Sometimes the first step is simply getting clear on your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy Costs in London, Ontario
How much is a typical therapy session in London, Ontario?
Current advertised rates vary considerably, but many private individual therapy sessions in London fall somewhere around $120 to $225, with many Registered Psychotherapists advertising fees around $150 to $175.
Is therapy free in Ontario?
Some mental health services are publicly funded or covered through OHIP when provided through eligible physicians, hospitals and programs. Private psychotherapy practices are generally paid privately or through extended health insurance.
Does workplace insurance cover psychotherapy?
Many extended health plans include mental health benefits, but coverage varies. Check whether your plan specifically covers Registered Psychotherapists or Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying), as applicable.
How often should I go to therapy?
There is no single schedule that works for everyone. Some people begin weekly, while others attend biweekly or at another frequency. Your needs, goals, finances and therapist's recommendations can all be part of that conversation.
Can I talk to a therapist before paying for a full session?
Some therapists offer complimentary consultations. Elevated Mindset Therapy offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation so potential clients can ask questions and get a sense of whether the relationship feels like a good fit.
About the Author
Ashley is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and founder of Elevated Mindset Therapy.
She works with adults navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, self-esteem, body image and life transitions.
Her approach is warm, collaborative and client-centred, drawing from Person-Centered Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Elevated Mindset Therapy offers in-person therapy in London, Ontario, Virtual Therapy and Walk & Talk Therapy, with in-person Brantford therapy coming soon.
This article is intended for general educational purposes. Fees, insurance coverage and publicly funded services can change. Always confirm current pricing with your therapist and coverage directly with your insurance provider.
