Funding Your Counselling: How to Access Affordable Options  

Economic stressors are a growing challenge for many Canadians. These stressors go beyond making basic needs like housing, food, and clothing unaffordable; they also impact an individual’s well-being. As many as 2 out of 5 surveyed point to the rising cost of living as harming their mental health. In addition to the stress and anxiety that many experience related to cost-of-living worries, the self-rated mental health of Canadians has declined over the past 10 years.¹ Additionally, access to affordable options has never been more important. This article will help you understand which mental health services are available to you and outline how to make the most out of your benefits.  

Understanding Your Options

First, there are mental health services that are covered by BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). These are offered via the public health system and are typically accessed through hospitals, mental health centres and some outpatient clinics. Moreover, as long as you are eligible for MSP, these are available to you at no cost.  For example would be the Foundry or Interior Health.

Second, there are counselling services offered by private practitioners. For example, our clinic, OK Clinical, would fall under this umbrella. Although these services are not covered by MSP, there are ways to either offset the costs or access subsidized counselling.  

If You have Extended Health Benefits:  

OK Clinical therapy has many Registered Clinical Counsellors, Canadian Certified Counsellors, and Registered Social Workers whose services are covered by extended health benefits.  

How do I know if my benefits cover counselling? – Most benefit providers will list the type of practitioners that are covered. If you are unsure if counselling is covered by your benefits, it is best to contact your benefits provider. 

How do I know the balance or number of sessions still available for 2025?  – For most benefits providers, you can find the number of sessions or the balance available by accessing your account via the provider’s site or app. If you are unable to find this information, it is best to contact your benefits provider. 

If I have benefits, do I pay upfront?  – That depends on the benefits provider. OK Clinical has many benefit providers for who we direct bill, which means that we submit directly to them the cost of the service. For those who we cannot direct bill, we will ask that you pay for the service upfront and will provide you a receipt which you submit to the benefit provider for reimbursement. 

If You Don’t have Extended Health Benefits: 

OK Clinical Therapy offers a Low-Fee Counselling Program. These services are provided by our Masters Students, who operate on a sliding fee scale tailored to each client’s individual employment circumstances. These services are provided as a way to increase access to mental health services and are not covered by extended health benefits. To learn more about these services, you can access our Subsidized Counselling page or contact us directly.

Final Thoughts  

If you have benefits, make the most of them. Your mental health is worth investing in. Many people are unaware that counselling is often covered by their plans. Whether through direct billing or reimbursement, using your benefits can make professional support more accessible and affordable.

To learn more or book a session, visit our website or contact us at info@okclinical.com or 250-718-9291. Our team is here to help you get started.

• [1] Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2024). Canadians report increasing need for mental health care alongside barriers to access. https://www.cihi.ca/en/canadians-report-increasing-need-for-mental-health-care-alongside-barriers-to-access 
• [2] Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division. (n.d.) How can I pay for mental health care. Here to Help.  https://heretohelp.bc.ca/q-and-a/how

Written by: Danielle Grenier

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