Therapists for University of Toronto Students

Private therapy sessions in Toronto typically run $125–$200, depending on the therapist's credentials, experience, and specialty. The UTSU plan pays up to $100 per visit for 15 visits a year, so on a $160 session, you'd pay $60 out of pocket. The UTMSU and SCSU plans pay up to $125 per visit, so you'd pay $35. The UTGSU plan for graduate students covers 100%, up to $750, so you'd pay nothing for your first four sessions.

First Session lists every therapist's session cost upfront (taxes included) so you can consider your budget first. If cost is a concern, you can filter for therapists offering sliding scale rates, or for student or intern therapists offering low-cost therapy.

Yes. Each campus has its own plan, and students are enrolled automatically:

• St. George undergraduates (UTSU plan): up to $100 per visit, 15 visits a year, with psychologists, MSWs, clinical counsellors, and licensed psychotherapists.
• Mississauga undergraduates (UTMSU plan): up to $125 per visit, 25 visits a year, with a "mental health professional." The plan doesn't list specific designations publicly, so confirm with GreenShield before booking.
• Scarborough undergraduates (SCSU plan): up to $125 per visit, 20 visits a year, with psychologists, counsellors, social workers, MSWs, and psychotherapists.
• Graduate students, full- and part-time (UTGSU plan): up to 100% per visit, $750 a year, with psychologists, licensed psychotherapists, clinical counsellors, and MSWs.

Plans change each year, so confirm your coverage with your insurer before booking. If you're unsure whether a therapist qualifies, ask during their free consultation.

The University of Toronto offers a range of mental health resources to support student well-being. Health and Wellness Centres at St. George, UTM, and UTSC offer free brief and same-day, single-session counselling with licensed therapists, as well as access to doctors and nurse practitioners who can assess, diagnose, and prescribe medication when appropriate.

Students can also access support groups, peer supporters, mental health workshops (e.g., coping skills, sleep, exam and test stress, imposterism, mindfulness), and training in suicide prevention and active listening.

For more information and to explore available services, visit mentalhealth.utoronto.ca.

Counselling at U of T's Health and Wellness Centres 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. It can be a great starting point, with same-day single-session counselling at all three campuses.

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.

Have a licensed health care practitioner, such as a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, complete a Certificate of Disability or equivalent documentation confirming a mental health diagnosis and outlining your functional limitations. Then complete the Online Student Intake Form through the Accessibility Services Portal. Once Accessibility Services reviews this, they will contact you to schedule an intake appointment (in person or online) with an accessibility advisor, with whom you’ll discuss barriers you face and establish your individualized Letter of Accommodation.

If you miss a term work, assignment, or term test (midterm), review your course syllabus immediately to see the policy. An absence declaration on ACORN can support academic consideration for these types of assessments. Contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss a makeup test, extension, or re-weighing your grade. If you are registered with Accessibility Services, speak directly to your accessibility advisor about disability-related make-up options. If you miss a final exam, you’ll need to submit a petition for a deferred exam within the required window, which is typically within 3 days of the exam. You’ll need formal documentation, such as a doctor’s note or a UofT Verification of Student Illness or Injury (VOI) form. Approval can take time, and you’ll typically need to pay a non-refundable fee to take a deferred exam. If the entire semester is affected by your mental health crisis, speak to your College or Faculty Registrar about a Late Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty.

No. First Session is an independent company and is not affiliated with the University of Toronto. We created this page specifically to support U of T 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 may be eligible for reimbursement through your student health insurance.