How to use your benefits for counselling in Calgary: what to ask your insurer
Updated: 8 hours ago
You've decided it's time to talk to someone. Then comes the part nobody enjoys: figuring out what your benefits will actually pay for.
This step-by-step guide walks you through what to look for, what to ask, and what to do if your plan isn't quite what you hoped. For a broader look at fees across the city, see our sister practice's 2026 guide to therapy costs in Calgary.
Where do I find counselling coverage in my benefits plan?
Look in your benefits booklet or online member portal for a section called "paramedical services," "health practitioners," or "mental health." Counselling is usually listed there, alongside things like massage or physiotherapy.
If you can't find it, call the number on your benefits card or ask HR to send you the section in writing.
Which types of practitioners does my plan list?
Your plan will name the professions it covers, and the exact wording matters. Common ones include:
Psychologist, registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
Registered Provisional Psychologist, also registered with CAP and practising under supervision
Registered Social Worker (RSW), regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) or "counselling therapist." The CCC is a national certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Many plans list psychologists separately from counsellors and social workers. Check your booklet for which of these titles appear, because a plan that covers "psychologist" may not cover a counsellor, and the reverse is also true.
It helps to know that counselling therapy is not yet a provincially regulated profession in Alberta. The province announced in 2024 that counselling therapists would eventually be regulated by CAP, but as of fall 2026 that hasn't happened, according to the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta. That's one reason plans describe counsellors in different ways.
How much will my plan pay per year and per visit?
Plans usually set an annual maximum, and many also set a per-visit limit or a percentage they reimburse. Ask about all three.
Here's a made-up example to show how it works. Say your plan pays 80% per session, up to $60 a visit, with a $600 yearly maximum. On a $190 session, 80% would be $152, but the per-visit limit caps your reimbursement at $60. That means you'd get about 10 sessions' worth of reimbursement before reaching the maximum. Your plan will be different, which is why asking matters.
Also ask whether the maximum is shared across practitioner types or separate for each.
Can I use my spouse's or partner's plan too?
Often, yes. If you're covered under your own plan and your spouse's, you usually claim through your own plan first, then send the unpaid balance to your spouse's plan. This process is called coordination of benefits, and Canadian group insurers generally follow the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association's guidelines.
Keep the statement your first insurer sends back, often called an Explanation of Benefits. Your spouse's insurer will usually ask for it. Combined payments can't be more than the cost of the session.
Can I use a health spending account for counselling?
Possibly. A health spending account (HSA) is a set amount your employer gives you for eligible health expenses, and what counts as eligible is based on Canada Revenue Agency rules.
A good order of operations: claim through your regular benefits first, then your spouse's plan, then send whatever is left to your HSA. Ask your HSA administrator whether they accept receipts from a Canadian Certified Counsellor or Registered Social Worker, since practitioner rules can vary.
What should be on my receipts?
Ask your insurer exactly what they need. Many ask for the practitioner's full name, their designation (such as CCC or RSW), a registration or certification number, the date of the session, and the amount paid.
Save every receipt in one place. If a claim is denied, call and ask why; sometimes it's just a missing number.
Can my counsellor bill my insurer directly?
Direct billing may be available for some practitioners, depending on your plan. When it works, you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover.
At Truepath, direct billing may be available for counselling sessions with Kia Bhaidani, MSW, RSW, depending on your plan. Sessions with Nancy Jassi, MACP, Registered Provisional Psychologist, can't be direct billed because she practises under supervision: you pay at the session and submit your receipt to your insurer.
What if my plan only lists psychologists?
You still have options. First, ask your insurer whether "psychologist" coverage includes a Registered Provisional Psychologist, and whether they cover counsellors or social workers under a different heading.
Then consider:
Your spouse's plan. It may list different practitioner types.
Your health spending account, if you have one.
Your employer's assistance program. Ask HR whether there is an employee and family assistance program.
A Registered Provisional Psychologist. Nancy Jassi, MACP, at Truepath is a Registered Provisional Psychologist, practising under the supervision of Eunice Peterson, R. Psych. Our practice, Pathfinder Therapy Inc., also includes Graham Wills, MA, Registered Provisional Psychologist, who practises under the supervision of Lee Hackney, R. Psych. Psychology sessions with either of them are $235. Because they practise under supervision, their sessions can't be direct billed: you pay at the session and submit your receipts to your insurer yourself.
Who could I see at Truepath?
Nancy Jassi, MACP, Registered Provisional Psychologist, is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who sees women at Truepath, practising under the supervision of Eunice Peterson, R. Psych. She works with adults, seniors and couples, and offers therapy in Punjabi, Hindi and English. She draws on CBT, solution-focused therapy and Internal Family Systems, with a trauma-informed approach.
Some women prefer counselling in their first language so they don't have to translate their feelings, especially when they're navigating family expectations, caregiving or changes in a marriage. You can read more in Therapy in Punjabi or Hindi in Calgary.
Sessions with Nancy, individual or couples, are $235 for 50 minutes or $352.50 for 80 minutes. We see clients in person in Calgary's Kensington area and online anywhere in Alberta.
What should I ask my insurer? A quick checklist
Copy this into your phone before you call:
Which mental health practitioners does my plan cover? Please read me the exact wording.
Is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Social Worker or Registered Provisional Psychologist covered?
What is my annual maximum, per-visit limit and reimbursement percentage?
Is the maximum shared across practitioner types?
Do I need a doctor's referral?
What has to be on my receipt?
How do I coordinate with my spouse's plan?
Do I have a health spending account?
Note the date, the agent's name and any reference number.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free 15-minute consult with Nancy. Consults are usually booked within 24 hours, and if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours, please call, text or email.
Frequently asked questions
Does my benefits plan cover counselling in Alberta?
It depends on your plan. Practitioner types and amounts vary, so check the paramedical or mental health section of your booklet.
Is a Canadian Certified Counsellor a psychologist?
No. A CCC is a national certification from the CCPA. Only people registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists can use the title "psychologist" in Alberta.
Can I claim the same session on two plans?
Often, if you're covered under both plans. Claim on your own plan first, then send the balance to your spouse's plan. Combined payments can't exceed the session cost.
Can Truepath bill my insurer directly?
Direct billing may be available for some practitioners and plans. We'll confirm with you before your first session.
Can I have counselling in Punjabi or Hindi?
Yes. Nancy Jassi, MACP, Registered Provisional Psychologist, offers therapy in Punjabi, Hindi and English.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
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