Therapists for McGill University Students

Canadian undergraduates on the downtown campus, including Law, Medicine, and Dentistry students, who are registered in the fall semester and pay Canadian or Quebec tuition rates, are automatically enrolled in the SSMU ALUMO plan.  Canadian full-time and part-time master's and PhD students are automatically enrolled in the PGSS Enhanced Care Health & Dental Plan, with the option to opt into the Basic plan instead. International undergraduate and graduate students are automatically enrolled in the International Health Insurance (IHI) instead. 

Canadian undergraduates with the SSMU ALUMO plan are covered at 80% per session, up to $1,000 per policy year, for eligible mental health practitioners. Canadian graduate students with the PGSS Enhanced Plan are covered at 50% per session, up to $1,000 per policy year, while those with the PGSS Basic Plan are covered at 50% per session, up to $500 per policy year. International undergraduate and graduate students with the International Health Insurance (IHI) are covered for up to $3,000 per policy year. 

Coverage amount may change from year to year, so check your current plan documents or contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your coverage before booking. 

The SSMU ALUMNO Plan for Canadian undergraduates covers "mental health practitioners," which may include psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists. Contact your insurance provider to be sure. The PGSS plans for Canadian graduate students specifically cover licensed psychologists. McGill’s International Health Insurance Plan covers certified psychologists or social workers who are members of their Canadian or provincial association, as well as psychotherapists who are members of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.

Tip: If you’re unsure whether a specific therapist is covered, ask them during a free consultation. They can usually confirm whether their professional designation is eligible under your student insurance plan and explain how reimbursement works.

Private therapy in Montreal costs, on average, between $120 and $180 per session. First Session lists every therapist's session cost upfront (taxes included) so you can consider your budget first. You can also filter for therapists offering sliding-scale rates, and if you have student insurance, you may be able to use your coverage to offset some of the cost.

McGill students can access a range of mental health resources through the McGill Student Wellness Hub, including one-on-one sessions with professional counsellors, Local Wellness Advisors (LWAs) who can help students navigate campus resources, Access Advisors who can help determine what level of clinical care may be appropriate, and doctors who provide medical mental health and psychiatric care. Students can also access peer support through Hub Peer Supporters, the SSMU Peer Support Centre, SSMU’s Eating Disorder Resource & Support Centre, SACOMSS, Queer McGill, the Union for Gender Empowerment (UGE), and McGill Students’ Nightline. The Wellness Hub also offers mental health programming, including CBT for Anxiety & Depression, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills, and Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, as well as support groups such as the Neurodivergent & Chronic Conditions Student Support Group and Student Parent Support Group.

McGill’s Student Wellness Hub focuses on brief support, early intervention, and helping students develop a personalized wellness plan. A counsellor may provide short-term one-on-one counselling, but can also connect you with group therapy, peer support, medical care, or off-campus services if you need longer-term support. 

Private therapy, by contrast, takes place with an independent psychologist, psychotherapist, or counsellor in the community. You typically pay per session, although student health insurance may reimburse some of the cost, and you generally have more flexibility to choose a therapist based on their specialization, approach, language, availability, and whether you want longer-term treatment. 

Yes, McGill students can access online therapy. For insurance reimbursement, it usually doesn’t matter whether the session is online or in person, as long as the provider is covered. Still, check your policy before booking. Many therapists on First Session offer online sessions, which can make it easier to fit therapy around a busy student schedule. 

McGill students looking for private therapy in English or French can use First Session to find a therapist. Simply filter by your preferred language, browse therapist profiles, watch short intro videos to feel their vibe, and book a free consultation before committing to anything.

No. First Session is an independent company and is not affiliated with McGill University. We created this page specifically to support McGill students and carefully researched all the information here. However, we encourage you to double-check details with your school if you're unsure. The therapists listed on First Session are carefully vetted licensed professionals, and their sessions are eligible for reimbursement through your student health insurance.