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How Much Does Therapy Cost in Alberta? Is It Covered By Insurance?
By Dr. Lynne M. Kostiuk
Short answer: It depends. Therapy can be performed by different professionals, each have varied academic and clinical training requirements. Prices can vary depending upon the experience of the therapist or the service area specializations being offered.
If the cost of therapy has been stopping you from reaching out, you're not alone — it's one of the most common questions people ask before booking their first session. Here's a straightforward breakdown of what therapy typically costs in Alberta, what insurance usually covers, and how it works at Aspirations Inc.
What Does a Therapy Session Cost in Alberta?
Private therapy in Alberta is not covered by Alberta Health Care (your provincial health card). Instead, fees are set by individual practices, guided by the Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) Recommended Fee Schedule.
As of 2025, the PAA recommended rate is:
- Individual therapy: $235 per 50-minute session
- Couples or family therapy: $235 per 50-minute session
- Group therapy: $110 per person per session
Most Registered Psychologists & Provisional Psychologists in Alberta charge somewhere in the range of $200–$250 per session, depending on their years of experience and level of registration. Registered Social Workers (RSW), Counsellors, or Therapists often charge slightly less, typically in the range of $130–$220 per session.
At Aspirations Inc, our fees follow the PAA recommended schedule and are comparative with other Registered Psychologists in Alberta, charging slightly higher rates for higher education and years of experience. Our Provisional Psychologists and other therapists are open to negotiating an honor-based sliding fee for services. Please review our Fees & Billing Policies or Contact Us directly by completing our form on our main page. We are transparent about our services and fees so there are no surprises.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Alberta?
The good news is that many extended health benefit plans do cover psychology and counselling services, often quite generously.
Here's how it typically works.
What most benefit plans cover:
- A set annual dollar amount — commonly $500–$2,500 or more per year for psychology or counselling
- A percentage of each session, such as 80% reimbursed up to your annual limit
- Some plans pay a flat amount per session (e.g., $40–$100 per visit)
Who is usually covered under benefits:
| Provider Type | Typically Covered? |
|---|---|
| Registered Psychologist (R.Psych) |  Most widely covered |
| Registered Provisional Psychologist | Often covered |
| Registered Social Worker (RSW) | Often covered |
| Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) |  Varies by plan — check yours |
The most important thing to know is that the designation of your therapist does matter for insurance so make sure that your insurance coverage allows for the provider type designated for the therapist you have chosen.
Registered Psychologists (R.Psych) are the most universally recognized across benefit plans in Alberta.
How to Check Your Coverage
Before your first session, take some time to check your benefits:
- Log into your benefits portal (Sun Life, Manulife, Blue Cross, Great-West Life, etc.)
- Look under "Paramedical Services" or "Mental Health" — psychology is often listed there
- Check the annual maximum and whether a referral or doctor's note is required for reimbursement
- Confirm which designations are covered (R.Psych, RSW, CCC, etc.)
- Ask your benefits provider: "Do I submit receipts myself, or does the clinic direct-bill?"
If you're not sure, you can also call the member services number on the back of your benefits card — they're used to these questions.
Which Companies Can Aspirations Inc. Bill Directly to?
Aspirations Inc. has made arrangements to direct bill to most insurance companies, so it is most likely that you will get coverage but so depending on the designation of your provider will determine whether it can be billed directly or need to be reimbursed after paying your therapist for services.
Here are the main Insurance Companies we have option to provide Direct Billing of our Services:
What If I Don't Have Benefits?
You still have options:
- Pay privately — many people do, especially when benefits are exhausted mid-year
- Sliding scale fees — At Aspirations Inc, our Provisional Registered Psychologists and other Therapists are open to negotiating a sliding fee. Once you receive your confirmation notice of your appointment booking, their direct contact information will be provided for you to contact your therapist to discuss a fair fee for their service.
- We collaborate with a variety of professional groups, including the Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta, the Alberta Medical Association, the Law Society of Alberta, and the Alberta Teachers Association. They each offer options to be connected with our Psychologists. If you are a member of one of these professional associations, you can contact them to be connected to our services and receive the benefits outlined by your membership association.
The Bottom Line
Therapy in Alberta typically costs $200–$250 per session for a registered psychologist. Most employer benefit plans cover a meaningful portion of that cost — often $500–$2,500 or more per year — and you simply submit receipts for reimbursement. The key is to check your benefits before your first session so you know exactly where you stand.
If you still have questions about fees or coverage at Aspirations Inc after going through the resources we have provided, we encourage you to reach out through our Contact Us form located at the bottom of our main page. It is important that you understand our billing practices prior to getting started!