What "Sun Life therapist" means on this page
Sun Life doesn't keep its own approved list of therapists. What actually determines reimbursement is the therapist's designation, and whether your specific plan covers that designation.
On this page, that means therapists whose credential, Registered Psychologist, Registered Social Worker, or a counselling designation, commonly appears on Sun Life extended health plans. It isn't a guarantee your own plan reimburses that particular credential.
Every profile below states the therapist's exact designation, so you can check it against your plan booklet before booking. That match matters more than where the therapist happens to be based: any therapist registered in Alberta, including ones located elsewhere in Canada and insured to work with Alberta clients online, can see you.
What to know about Sun Life coverage in Calgary
Online and in-person
Coverage doesn't change based on format. Extended health plans, including Sun Life, generally reimburse live video sessions on the same terms as in-person visits.
Any therapist registered in Alberta can see you online, including therapists based in other provinces who are insured to provide online care here. That widens your options well beyond who happens to practice in Calgary.
Credentials in Alberta
Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists and require a doctoral or approved master's degree plus supervised practice. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers.
Counselling designations such as RPC or CCC are currently credentialed through professional associations. Alberta has proposed moving oversight of counselling therapists to the College of Alberta Psychologists, but that change hasn't taken effect. First Session verifies every therapist's registration and standing before listing them.
Cost and insurance
Session rates in Calgary commonly run from about $50 for provisional or associate-level counsellors to $200 to $350 for psychologists, with many sessions falling between $100 and $200.
Sun Life's personal health plans cover psychology and social work up to a set yearly maximum that depends on the plan tier. Employer group plans are customized per workplace, so your actual maximum and covered designations depend on how your employer built the plan. Every First Session profile lists the fee upfront, and receipts are provided for your claim.
How to confirm your Sun Life coverage before booking
1Find your plan's designation list
Sun Life plans specify which practitioner designations qualify, sometimes psychologists only, sometimes psychologists plus social workers and counselling therapists. Log into your Sun Life member site or check your plan booklet before booking, since this varies by employer and by plan tier.
2Check your annual maximum and per-visit cap
Some plans set one shared yearly maximum for psychology and social work claims; others also cap the amount per visit. Knowing this figure before you book helps you plan how many sessions your benefits will realistically cover.
3Ask whether a referral is required
A few plans require a physician's referral before mental health claims are reimbursed; most don't. Confirm this with HR or the Sun Life app rather than assuming either way.
4Match the designation on the profile to your plan
Every First Session profile states the therapist's exact designation. Line it up against what your plan covers before you book, not after, so the session you expected to be reimbursed actually is.
5Ask about receipts in your free consultation
Book the free 15-minute consultation and ask how the therapist issues receipts. An itemized receipt with designation and registration number is what most Sun Life claims need, so confirm that before your first paid session.
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