Given that mental health concerns are more prevalent than ever, it’s no surprise that you’re wondering whether you can get free online therapy in Ontario.
The reality is that mental health concerns are top of mind for many (if not most) people and that affordability is one of the key barriers preventing people in need from starting therapy. Concerns relating to accessibility are also often cited as a barrier to access, making virtual therapy a great option for many people.
Taking all of this into account, free online therapy sure would be a blessing! But does it exist?
The short answer is yes, but keep reading to get the full scoop on how you might be able to access the free or affordable therapy you need.
Mental health concerns are more prevalent than ever
Before the pandemic, around 1 in 5 Canadians aged 12 and older reported needing assistance with their mental health. During the pandemic, though, that figure climbed to 60% of people surveyed. Wow!
Mental illness and substance use disorders are also the leading causes of disability in Canada, with 500,000 employed Canadians unable to attend work each week due to these concerns.
Additionally, the cost of disability leave due to mental illness is twice as much as that due to physical illness, and the economic burden of mental illness in Canada is believed to sit around $51 billion per year.
These are just some of many of the reasons why it is so important to ensure that people in need have access to high-quality, effective mental health services. By taking care of your mental health early on, you’re helping to safeguard your own well-being by benefiting your loved ones and broader society.
How to access free online therapy
First of all, it is possible to access free (publicly funded) mental health services through some government and nonprofit agencies. You can learn more about some of these options using this government webpage.
However, these services often come with long waitlists and other restrictions that make them inconvenient or insufficient for many people.
For example, as of 2020, wait times to access publicly funded mental health care in Ontario were as long as 2.5 years, with an average wait time of 67 days for therapy and counseling services and 92 days for more intensive forms of treatment.
Also, because of the nature of publicly funded healthcare, it usually isn’t possible to choose your own therapist; this means that you might be paired with someone who isn’t a good fit.
So what should you do if publicly funded therapy isn’t for you? Aren’t there any alternatives? Is there really no other way of accessing free online therapy?
For many Canadians, there is an alternative: private health insurance, also known as extended health benefits (EHBs).
EHBs can be a great way to make your therapy free or affordable
Did you know that more than 60% of Canadians have extended health benefits (EHBs), with approximately 56% of these workers having access to plans that cover mental health services?
While these sorts of plans traditionally only covered the services of psychologists, most now cover special classes of licensed mental health practitioners, such as registered psychotherapists (RPs) and registered social workers (RSWs).
This is great news if you’re one of the millions of Canadians with access to private health plans that cover counseling and therapy services!
While some plans may cover 100% of the mental health services you need, potentially giving you access to free online therapy, others may still require a co-payment. However, even when a co-payment is required, using your EHBs to cover the eligible amount of your therapy costs can make your treatment much more affordable.
Not sure if your health benefits cover mental health services or require a copay? Check your benefit brochure or call your benefit provider to find out – chances are, it’s worth the call!
But which online therapist should I choose?
So you have access to private health insurance that covers the full cost of your therapy – that’s great news!
But now comes the really hard part: choosing a therapist to provide you with your free online therapy…
Choosing the right therapist can be a time-consuming and daunting process, but there are some tips you can follow to help you find the right fit – someone who will be able to provide you with the effective, client-centered counseling you deserve.
While we’ve written a whole other article on how to find a good online therapist, here are some simple tips you can keep in mind:
- Look for a therapy provider who is covered by your unique health insurance plan – this usually means that they will need to be a psychologist, registered psychotherapist (RP), or registered social worker (RSW).
- Look for a therapist who has received a proper education and extensive training; educational programs are not made equal, and not every type of training will suit your concerns.
- Look for a therapist who offers treatment methods and modalities that match your unique needs and who will consider and respect your feedback throughout the therapeutic process.
And, of course, it doesn’t hurt to listen to your gut! So feel free to schedule free consultations with multiple therapists to give your intuition a chance to guide you.
Using your insurance to cover the cost of therapy benefits you, your loved ones, and society
Using your private insurance to pay for your therapy isn’t just great for you and your wallet – it’s actually good for broader society as well.
It’s been reported that “EHBs are an underutilized resource that could help address unmet mental health needs”; if more people with access to EHBs made use of their benefits, these individuals would be benefiting their own mental health while also potentially alleviating the economic costs associated with prolonged disability leave.
While lower rates of well-being have been linked to the development of mental illness, therapy has been connected to improved well-being. And, of course, when we are well and able to manage our emotions and stressors effectively, our friends, family members, and coworkers all benefit too!
This is why Blue Rabbit Therapy has opened an online relational therapy clinic dedicated to addressing some of the key barriers that prevent individuals from accessing mental health services and using their private insurance.
To address key accessibility concerns such as long wait times and not knowing where to turn for help, Blue Rabbit Therapy provides immediate access to care and has assembled a team of registered psychotherapists (RPs) and social workers (RSWs) whose sessions are covered by most EHBs. By offering its services 100% remotely, Blue Rabbit is also helping to ensure that individuals in rural areas have equitable access to high-quality therapy.
Looking for free online therapy in Ontario? Consider using your private health insurance or EHBs to cover the cost of your sessions at Blue Rabbit Therapy.
Jess Blackwell is a freelance writer and copy editor based out of Toronto. She helps small businesses, researchers, and other authors craft compelling, enriching, and persuasive content.