Payment
We accept Visa, MasterCard, debit, e-transfer, and cash.
Payment is due at the end of each session.
A receipt is issued for every session, which you can submit to your insurer if your plan covers counselling.
Fees & Insurance
What Counselling Costs Are Set Out Plainly
Most counselling websites do not publish their fees, which means people have to call around for prices when they are already having a difficult time.
Here is what it costs and how payment works.
Session Fees
| Session | Fee |
|---|---|
| Free initial consultation (30 minutes) | No charge |
| Individual session (60 minutes) | $160 |
| Child or youth session (60 minutes) | $160 |
| Package of 5 individual sessions, paid in advance | $760, a saving of $40 |
| Couples session (60 minutes) | [TO CONFIRM] |
| Family session (60 minutes) | [TO CONFIRM] |
Online sessions are charged at the same rate as in-person sessions. What you save is the travel, not the fee.
No deposit is required to book a first appointment.
The Free 30-Minute Consultation
Every new client starts with a free 30-minute consultation. It is a conversation about what has been happening, what you are looking for, and which therapist may suit you.
There is no charge and no obligation to book afterwards. Some people book, some go away and think about it, and some decide counselling is not what they need at the moment. All three are reasonable.
Consultations usually take place in person and can be arranged online. A telephone consultation may be possible depending on the therapist and your circumstances.
What to Expect in Your First Session →Cancellations
We ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice and missed appointments are charged at the full session fee.
This is not a penalty. An appointment that goes unused at short notice is time that could have gone to someone else waiting, and a notice period is what makes it possible to offer that slot to another client. If something genuinely unavoidable happens, tell us.
Insurance
Counselling is not covered by OHIP for anyone in Ontario. It is usually paid for privately or claimed through a workplace or private benefits plan.
We do not bill insurers directly. You pay at the end of each session, we issue a receipt, and you submit the claim to your insurer yourself.
Most extended health plans include some coverage for mental health services. What varies, and what catches people out, is which professional designations your plan covers.
Our team holds several. Some plans cover registered social workers. Some cover registered psychotherapists. Some cover Canadian certified counsellors. Some cover more than one, and a few cover only psychologists.
What to ask your insurer before booking
It takes one phone call, and it is worth making:
- Does my plan cover counselling or psychotherapy?
- Which designations are covered? Ask specifically about Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and Canadian Certified Counsellor.
- Is there an annual maximum?
- Is there a per-session limit?
- Do I need a referral from my doctor first?
- Does my plan cover virtual sessions the same way as in-person?
Let us know what your plan covers, and we will factor it in when suggesting a clinician. Matching you with someone your insurance will reimburse is a practical part of the conversation, not an awkward one.
We cannot guarantee that your insurer will reimburse a particular therapist or service. That decision rests with them and with the terms of your plan.
Employer and Workplace Plans
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM: whether C.S. Counselling accepts EAP or employer-funded referrals.]
If you have access to counselling through an employee assistance program, check with your provider which practices are in their network before booking.
Workplace Mental Health Counselling →Taxes
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM: please check with your accountant whether HST applies to any of your fees, so this page can state clearly whether $160 is the final amount a client pays.]
How to Book
There is no online booking system. To arrange your free consultation:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes, and it runs for 30 minutes. There is no obligation to book afterwards.
How long is a session?
60 minutes.
Do I pay before or after the session?
At the end of each session.
Do online sessions cost less?
No, the fee is the same.
Do you bill my insurance directly?
No. You pay at the session and claim it back from your insurer using the receipt we provide.
Will I get a receipt?
Yes, for every session.
Is a deposit required?
No.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Give us 24 hours' notice, and there is no charge. Less than that, or a missed appointment, is charged at the full session fee.
Does OHIP cover counselling?
No. Private counselling is not covered by OHIP for anyone in Ontario.
Do I need a referral?
Not to see us. Some insurance plans require one before they will reimburse, so check your policy.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standard number. Some people work through something specific in a few sessions; others continue longer. It is reviewed as you go, not decided upfront.
Are reduced fees available?
In some circumstances, yes. Ask when you get in touch.
Start With a Conversation
The consultation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It is the sensible place to ask about fees, insurance, and anything else before deciding.
Tell us what has been happening.
We'll start by listening.
Book Your Free 30-Minute ConsultationC.S. Counselling & Consulting Services2250 Bovaird Drive E, Suite 408
Brampton, ON L6R 0W3
Counselling Fees & Insurance | C.S. Counselling & Consulting Services, Brampton
If you are in immediate distress or concerned about your safety, please contact emergency services or a local crisis line. Ongoing counselling is not an emergency service.