How Much Do Psychology Counselling Sessions Cost?
- FUEL Staff
- Jul 28
- 5 min read
1 in 5 people in Canada lives with a mental illness. Yet, only about half of them reach out for help.
“Mental health issues can creep up and affect your quality of life, your relationships, and your ability to function day to day,” says Christina Worthing, registered psychologist at FUEL Pain & Injury Recovery Clinic.
So, how much do counseling sessions cost? Does insurance help? Will Alberta Health pay for any of it? Is it even worth the price?
In this guide, we’ll tell you how much counselling costs, how you can reduce your tax burden, and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
How Much Do Counselling Sessions Cost?
The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) publishes a recommended fee schedule each year to guide psychologists and third-party payers. These are the recommended rates for 2025.
2025 Recommended Fee Schedule | |
Therapy/Assessment session - Individual | $235 |
Therapy/Assessment session - Couple/Family | $235 |
Group Therapy session - per person | $110 |
Each session typically refers to a 50-minute session (often called a “therapy hour,” with the remaining 10 minutes used for note-taking or scheduling).
The fees above are for the sessions themselves. Administrative matters such as writing reports, telephone consultations, letters, and completing forms (such as for insurance) are billed additionally.
Practically, many Alberta psychologists set their fees at or near this recommendation. Note that the fees above are guidelines, not a preset fee. Some registered psychologists may charge more (or less) based on their experience, the services their office provides, and their location.
How Much Counselling Costs at FUEL
Our rates align with the PAA’s recommendations, as you can see below.
Regardless of the session you opt for, you will speak directly to Christina.
In fact, we go one step further, offering no-cost consultations in-person and virtually. That means you can understand if counselling sessions will be beneficial for you without incurring any out-of-pocket costs.
Service | Format | Duration | Fee |
Psychology Consultation | In-Person | 15 minutes | $0.00 |
Psychology Consultation | Virtual | 15 minutes | $0.00 |
Initial Assessment & Treatment | In-Person | 50 minutes | $235.00 |
Initial Assessment & Treatment | Virtual | 50 minutes | $235.00 |
Psychology Treatment | In-Person | 50 minutes | $235.00 |
Psychology Treatment | Virtual | 50 minutes | $235.00 |
Walk and Talk Therapy | Outdoor/In-Person | 50 minutes | $235.00 |
Don’t make cost the primary deciding factor for your sessions. The key is finding someone you trust and can work with, within your budget.
Do You Pay GST on Therapy Sessions in Alberta?
One bit of good news for Albertans: you do not pay any GST on counselling sessions if your session is provided by a registered practitioner. Even some counselling therapists are exempt from charging GST.
Since Alberta has no PST/HST, that means the fee you pay for therapy is tax-free.
The only time GST could apply is if the service is not considered health care.
For example, if a psychologist is hired purely as a consultant or expert witness in a legal case, or provides a workshop/training to an organization, those services might include GST because they’re not healthcare therapy.
Paying for Counselling Sessions: Financing & Coverage Options
Alberta offers several financing and coverage options that can ease the burden of therapy fees. Here are some ways in which people pay for counseling.
Health Insurance Benefits
If you have an employee benefits plan or private health insurance, there’s a good chance it includes coverage for psychological services. Coverage details vary a lot by plan, so you’ll want to check your specific policy.
Insurance plans in Alberta offer coverage ranging from around $500 up to $10,000 yearly in mental health coverage. Insurance may also cover a portion of your session cost (commonly 80%), meaning you may have to pay a small amount yourself.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Employers may offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) as part of your benefits.
An EAP is a confidential counselling service that provides short-term therapy at no cost to the employee.
Here’s how EAPs work: your employer contracts with an EAP provider to offer you and your immediate family members a limited number of counselling sessions, typically 4 to 6 sessions per issue or per year.
It’s meant for short-term, solution-focused support. Since it’s prepaid by your employer, you don’t pay anything out of pocket.
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Does AHCIP cover the cost of counselling sessions? No. Alberta Health does not cover one-on-one therapy with a private practice psychologist or counsellor. That said, you can avail mental health services through the province’s healthcare system.
You can receive short-term counselling for specific issues, crisis support, and group programs through Alberta Health Services (AHS). However, you will most likely need to meet certain income eligibility requirements, get a doctor’s referral, and visit an AHS-approved service provider.
Other Funding Sources
Aside from personal insurance or paying yourself, there are a few other avenues that can cover psychological services in specific situations:
Paying Out-of-Pocket
Paying for therapy yourself is common, and many Albertans do self-pay for counselling.
Don’t forget, psychologists understand therapy can be a substantial investment.
Your psychologist may create a treatment plan that works for you, recommend a payment plan, or offer another alternative to make counselling accessible for you.
If You Are Unwilling to Make an Out-of-Pocket Payment
If cost is a barrier, there are some no-cost or low-cost options aside from the AHS.
Some non-profits and community organizations offer counselling at reduced fees or free of charge, such as the Calgary Counselling Centre, Catholic Social Services, and sexual assault centres.
However, the demand for these services can mean potentially long wait times.
Can You Claim Therapy Costs as a Medical Expense on Your Taxes?
Yes, the Canada Revenue Agency does provide a medical expense tax credit (METC) for registered psychologists.
Simply put, that means if you spent a significant amount on therapy, you may get a portion of those costs back at tax time by reducing the taxes you owe.
Some things to keep in mind:
In Alberta, sessions with a Registered Psychologist qualify for the METC, however, sessions with counselling therapists do not.
You can only claim the portion of expenses you paid out-of-pocket.
You must have receipts for the fees you paid. You don’t need to submit them, but you need to keep them on file in case the CRA asks to see them.
The medical expense claim is a non-refundable credit, which reduces the income tax you owe, but it won’t produce a cash refund by itself.
Moreover, you can only claim the portion of your total medical expenses that exceeds 3% of your net income or about $2,759.
Therapy is an Investment in Your Well-Being
Mental health issues can affect your enjoyment of life, affect you personally, and impact you professionally. The WHO even finds that people with serious mental health issues live 10-20 years less.
If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, reach out to us today. You will speak to a compassionate psychologist committed to providing sensitive, cost-effective care.
We align treatments with your budget, bill insurers directly, and help you make informed decisions so you can stop worrying about how much counselling costs.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation today and take the first step to a healthier you.
