If you're considering therapy, the first practical question is usually the same: what is this going to cost me?
Here's the short answer. At Culminate Group, a standard 50-minute individual psychotherapy session costs $170 to $185, depending on the therapist. There is no tax on top of that, most extended health benefits plans reimburse some or all of it, a sliding scale is available for clients experiencing financial hardship, and your first 20-minute consultation with us is free.
The longer answer, including what OHIP covers, how insurance actually works, and how our fees compare to Ottawa averages, is below.
Therapy Fees at Culminate Group in 2026
We believe in publishing our fees, so there are no surprises at the end of a session. As of mid-2026, sessions at Culminate Group are priced as follows:
- Individual psychotherapy (50 minutes): $170 to $185, depending on the therapist
- Couples therapy (50 to 60 minutes): $170 to $180
- Extended couples session (90 minutes): $255 to $270
- Child and youth therapy (50 minutes): $180
- Family session (60 minutes): $180
- EQ-i leadership coaching: $425 for the initial assessment and coaching session, $185 for follow-ups
- Clinical supervision for therapists: $150 per hour for individual supervision
- Initial consultation (20 minutes): free
The same rates apply whether you meet your therapist in person at our Ottawa office or by secure video. You can see who might be the right fit on our therapists page, or book a free consultation and we'll match you.
Do You Pay Tax on Therapy in Ontario? (No, Here's Why)
As of June 20, 2024, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services are exempt from GST/HST in Canada. The federal government added these services to the exempt list in the Excise Tax Act, and the Canada Revenue Agency confirms that a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario is providing exempt psychotherapy services. The CRA published a plain-language explainer on the change as well.
In practice: the session price you see is the price you pay. A $185 session costs $185, not $209.05.
Does OHIP Cover Therapy in Ottawa?
For most private-practice therapy, no. As CAMH explains, if psychotherapists work in a private practice, their services are not covered by OHIP and you will be charged a fee. The same is true of psychologists: their fees are not covered by most provincial health plans.
There is one important exception: psychotherapy provided by a psychiatrist or another medical doctor is covered by provincial health plans. Access typically requires a physician referral, and wait times can be significant.
So for most people in Ottawa, therapy is paid for in one of three ways: out of pocket, through extended health benefits, or through a publicly funded program.
Free and Publicly Funded Therapy Options in Ontario
If cost is a barrier right now, you still have options. Ontario's Structured Psychotherapy Program offers adults 18 and over cognitive behavioural therapy and related services free of charge. CMHA Ontario describes it as free, evidence-based support for adults with depression and anxiety-related concerns.
These programs are a genuinely good starting point, though they focus on specific concerns (primarily depression and anxiety), and you generally have less choice over who you see and how long you work together. Private therapy trades cost for flexibility, continuity, and fit.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Ottawa?
Most people with workplace benefits have some coverage for therapy. A few things worth knowing:
Check who your plan covers, not just how much. Plans reimburse services delivered by specific provider types, commonly "Registered Psychotherapist," "Registered Social Worker," or "Psychologist." Our team includes Registered Psychotherapists and a Registered Social Worker, so we can usually match you with someone your plan covers. Details are on our insurance and fees page.
We offer direct billing to most insurers. Many of the therapists at Culminate Group offer direct billing to most insurance companies (including Manulife, Canada Life, Sun Life, and Green Shield) as a courtesy. Some plans don't permit direct billing from psychotherapists, in which case you pay up front and submit the claim yourself.
Federal employees have unusually strong coverage. Ottawa's large federal workforce is covered by the Public Service Health Care Plan, which now provides up to $5,000 per calendar year for psychological services (up from $2,000) with no prescription required, and eligible providers now include psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, and counsellors.
CAMH also notes that psychotherapy fees may be covered through an extended health care plan or private insurance, and that some therapists offer sliding-scale fees based on income, which is always worth asking about.
How Do Culminate Group's Fees Compare to Ottawa Averages?
The most rigorous public benchmark in Ontario is the Ontario Psychological Association's 2024 fee survey of 718 practitioners. It found that psychologists most commonly charge $250 per hour for psychological treatment, with two-thirds charging between $211 and $275. In Eastern Ontario (the Ottawa region), the average was about $240 per session, with reported fees ranging from $150 to $350.
Psychologist fees run higher than psychotherapist fees partly because of longer doctoral-level training and because psychologists can also provide formal psychological assessment and diagnosis. If you're weighing the two, we've written a full comparison: Psychologist vs Psychotherapist in Ontario.
At $170 to $185 for a standard individual session, therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker at Culminate Group costs meaningfully less than the regional psychologist average, while still being delivered by regulated, registered clinicians using evidence-based approaches for anxiety, trauma, couples work, and more.
Five Ways to Make Therapy More Affordable
- Use the free consultation. Twenty minutes with us costs nothing and ensures you don't pay for sessions with the wrong fit. Book here.
- Confirm your benefits before your first session. Check your plan's annual maximum, the percentage covered, and whether it covers Registered Psychotherapists or Registered Social Workers.
- Ask about direct billing. If your insurer allows it, you may only ever pay the uncovered portion.
- Match the provider to your plan. If your plan only covers social work services, ask to be matched with our Registered Social Worker.
- Consider public programs for the wait-list period. Ontario's free structured psychotherapy program can be a bridge or a complement.
The Bottom Line
Therapy in Ottawa in 2026 typically costs $170 to $185 per session at Culminate Group, tax-free, with most of that often reimbursed by extended health benefits. Psychologist services elsewhere in the region average around $240. OHIP won't cover private practice therapy, but free public options exist if cost is a barrier.
If you'd like a clear picture of what therapy would cost you, with your benefits, your goals, and the right therapist, book a free 20-minute consultation. We'll walk you through it before you spend a dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a therapy session cost in Ottawa? At Culminate Group, a standard 50-minute individual session costs $170 to $185, depending on the therapist. Psychologists in the Ottawa region charge more, most commonly around $250 per hour, per the OPA's 2024 fee survey.
Is therapy covered by OHIP? Not in private practice. OHIP covers psychotherapy only when it's provided by a psychiatrist or another medical doctor. Private psychotherapy and psychology services are paid out of pocket or through insurance.
Do I pay HST on therapy in Ontario? No. Psychotherapy and counselling therapy services have been exempt from GST/HST since June 20, 2024.
Will my insurance cover a Registered Psychotherapist? Many extended health plans do, but coverage wording varies, so check for "Registered Psychotherapist" or "Registered Social Worker" in your plan, along with your annual maximum and reimbursement percentage. Our insurance page explains what to look for, and we offer direct billing to most major insurers.
How much does couples therapy cost in Ottawa? At Culminate Group, standard couples sessions are $170 to $180, and extended 90-minute sessions are $255 to $270. See our couples therapy service page for what's included.
Is the first consultation really free? Yes: 20 minutes, virtual, no charge and no obligation. It's how we make sure you're matched with the right therapist before you commit to anything.
