Is therapy free for minors in Canada?

Cost is one of the biggest reasons families put off getting help. Here's what's actually covered in Canada, the public options for teens in Nova Scotia, and how families make private therapy affordable.

What provincial health coverage includes

Since the Canada Health Act, public coverage for mental health care has been guaranteed only when it's delivered by physicians or in hospitals. Services from psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists aren't guaranteed public coverage, so people often pay out of pocket or use insurance (CMHA). That's the same for teens as for adults.

In practice, that means:

• Usually covered: visits to your family doctor, psychiatrists (by referral), and hospital-based mental health programs
• Usually not covered by the province: private-practice psychologists, counselling therapists and social workers (First Session)

Public and free options for teens in Nova Scotia

• Mental Health and Addictions Intake: 1-855-922-1122. The province's line for publicly funded support (Government of Nova Scotia). Anyone can self-refer, and it serves children and youth under 19 as well as adults (Nova Scotia Health).
• Child and Adolescent Services: for youth under 19, including individual or group therapy and autism assessment, accessed through the same intake line or a doctor's referral. In the Halifax area these are offered through the IWK (Nova Scotia Health).
• School mental health clinicians (SchoolsPlus): therapy for students in schools, by referral through your school or the intake line (Nova Scotia Health).
• Kids Help Phone: confidential support by phone (1-800-668-6868) or text (CONNECT to 686868), 24/7, for young people across Canada (Kids Help Phone).
• Good2Talk (post-secondary students): free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-833-292-3698 (Good2Talk).
• Togetherall: free, anonymous online support for people 16 and older (Government of Nova Scotia).

Public services can have wait lists. If your teen is struggling now, it's worth calling intake and looking at other options at the same time.

How families pay for private therapy

• Workplace health benefits. Check whether a parent's plan covers dependants, and which professions are covered (for example "Registered Counselling Therapist," "psychologist" or "social worker"), the amount per session and the yearly maximum.
• Student plans. College and university health plans often include counselling.
• Receipts. Ask for a receipt after each session to submit to your plan.
• Sliding scale. Some private therapists offer reduced fees; it's fine to ask.

As a benchmark for private fees, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers recommends a minimum of $175 per session for master's-level private practitioners (NSCSW). For how to choose between options, see How to choose a therapist.

Public or private: which is right?

It depends on urgency, budget and what you need. Public services are publicly funded and can include specialized care. Private therapy usually means more choice of therapist and scheduling, and often shorter waits, at a cost. Many families use both: they get on a public wait list and see a private therapist in the meantime.

Frequently asked questions

About the author

Courtney Cribb, MEd, RCT, CCC, is a Registered Counselling Therapist in Nova Scotia who works mostly with teens and young adults. Her research on teens and sexting is published in the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She offers online sessions by video or phone across Nova Scotia and, where permitted, elsewhere in Canada. Learn about teen therapy with Courtney.