Therapy Covered by Student Insurance - Beyond uOttawa Health & Wellness

Supplementary coverage is provided through Studentcare/UOSU for full- and part-time undergrads at uOttawa and Saint Paul University, or through Green Shield/GSAÉD for graduate students. If you already have equivalent supplementary coverage (e.g., through a parent's or employer's plan), you can opt out.

uOttawa undergrad students on the UOSU plan are covered at 80% per visit, up to a combined annual maximum of $1,500 per policy year (September 1–August 31). Graduate students on GSAÉD are covered at a flat rate of $80 per visit, with a combined maximum of $1,000 per policy year.

uOttawa's supplementary health insurance for both undergraduate and graduate students covers sessions with a Psychologist, Social Worker/Counsellor, Master of Social Work, or Psychotherapist. If you have questions about whether a therapist is covered by your insurance, you can ask them directly. All First Session therapists offer a free initial consultation to gauge fit and answer questions like these.

Private therapy sessions in Ottawa typically run $150–$200, with Registered Psychotherapists and Social Workers usually at the lower end and Psychologists at the higher end. uOttawa students can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs by using their supplementary health insurance. First Session lists every therapist's session cost upfront (taxes included) so you can check your budget first. You can also filter for therapists offering sliding scale rates and mention your student status and coverage limit when reaching out.

uOttawa Student Mental Health Services is free and works on a stepped-care model. They offer same-day walk-in intake, followed by short-term psychotherapy or a referral out for more complex or long-term needs. Private therapy involves out-of-pocket fees, which can be partially subsidized by your uOttawa supplementary health insurance. It's ongoing, open-ended, and customized to your long-term mental health goals. It also offers greater scheduling flexibility and access to a wider pool of therapists. 

The Student Health and Wellness Centre offers same-day walk-in mental health appointments, short-term psychotherapy, and support groups.  Book an intake by calling (613) 562-5498 or online. The Wellness Lounge is a drop-in space where you can join wellness workshops or connect with peer helpers. And for self-guided support, TAO Self-Help offers free online psychoeducation with interactive modules you can work through at your own pace. 

Yes. On First Session, you can filter by preferred language and see which languages each therapist offers directly on their profile. Working with a therapist who shares your language and ideally understands your cultural background can make it easier to fully express yourself and be understood, which is often just as important as their clinical training.

Yes, uOttawa students can get online therapy. For insurance purposes, it doesn't matter whether the session is online or in person as long as the provider is covered. Many therapists on First Session offer online therapy sessions, which can make it easy to fit around a busy schedule.