Therapists for Queen's University Students

Full-time on-campus AMS-affiliated undergraduates, including international students and off-campus first-year BISC (Bader International Study Centre) students, are automatically covered by the AMS Health and Dental Plan. Part-time on-campus AMS-affiliated undergraduate students and internship students (Queen's University Internship Program) are not automatically covered but can self-enroll during the change-of-coverage period. Graduate students are automatically covered by the SGPS Health and Dental Plan. 

Undergraduates with the AMS Health and Dental Plan are covered for 90%, up to $1000 per policy year. Graduate students with the SGPS Health and Dental Plan are covered for 80%, up to $750. 

Undergraduates with the AMS Health and Dental Plan are covered for "mental health practitioners,"  which may include Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, and Psychologists. Contact your insurer to ask whether a therapist you want to see is actually covered. Graduates with the SGPS Health and Dental Plan are covered for Psychologists / Psychotherapists / Social Workers / Speech Therapists. 

Private therapy in Kingston typically costs between $150 and $250 per 50-minute session. Queen's University students can reduce their out-of-pocket costs by using their student health and dental plan to help cover eligible therapy sessions. First Session lists each therapist's session fee upfront, including taxes, so you can check your budget before booking. You can also filter for therapists who offer sliding scale rates and mention your student status and coverage limits.

Queen's University offers a range of resources to support student mental health and well-being. Student Wellness Services (SWS) provides wellness coaching, group therapy, medication management, and short-term counselling. Some counsellors have specialties such as Eating Disorders, Sexual Violence, Black-identified, LGBT2SQ+, Indigenous, and Cross-cultural/racialized students, while others help with more general concerns like academic stress, low mood, relationships, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, AMS Peer Support Centre and SGPS Student Advisors offer confidential peer-based support to undergraduate and graduate students. 

Queen's University Counselling Services is free for students and generally short-term. Wait times can fluctuate throughout the academic year, and students who need longer-term support may be referred to off-campus providers. 

Private therapy typically involves paying for sessions out of pocket, although eligible fees may be partially or fully reimbursed through your student health insurance plan. It can provide ongoing support over a longer period and more choice in selecting a therapist whose specialty and approach match your needs.

Yes, Queen's 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 specific plan to confirm. Many therapists on First Session offer online sessions, with added evening and weekend availability, which can make it easier to fit therapy around a busy student schedule. 

First Session doesn't offer direct billing, so you’ll pay for your session by debit or credit card and receive an itemized receipt from your therapist. After your appointment, you can submit the receipt through your insurance provider’s online portal or mobile app. You’ll typically need information such as the therapist’s name and credentials, the date and cost of the session, and your plan or member number. Your insurer will then review the claim, and you'll typically be reimbursed within 2-5 days for the eligible portion based on your coverage. 

Whether you see a therapist on campus or off campus, therapy is confidential. Your therapist cannot share what you discuss with anyone else, including your parents, professors, or employers, without your consent, except in certain circumstances, such as a serious and immediate safety concern or when disclosure is required by law. Your therapist can explain the specific limits of confidentiality before you begin.

If you choose private therapy, one thing to keep in mind is your health insurance. If you use a plan where someone else is the policyholder, such as a parent's insurance plan, the policyholder may receive information about claims depending on the insurer and plan. If you're using your own student insurance plan, this generally isn't an issue.

No. First Session is an independent company and is not affiliated with Queen's University. We created this page specifically to support Queen's University 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.