Therapists for Wilfrid Laurier University Students

Private therapy sessions in Waterloo typically run $140–$195, depending on the therapist's credentials, experience, and specialty. The WLUSU plan reimburses 80% of up to $100 per visit ($80), up to $1,000 a year, so on a $170 session, you'd pay $90 out of pocket for about 12 sessions. The GSA plan covers 60%, up to $400, so you'd pay $68 per session for about 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. WLUSU health & dental plan for undergraduates covers psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers (MSWs) up to $1,000 per benefit year, reimbursed at 80%, with a maximum eligible amount of $100 per visit. GSA health & dental plan for graduate students covers psychologists, psychotherapists, master's of social work, and clinical counsellors at 60% per visit, up to $400 per benefit year.

Coverage amount may change from year to year, so check your current plan documents or contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage before booking. 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 help you understand how direct billing or reimbursement works.

You'll pay for your session first by debit or credit card. After your session, you will receive an itemized receipt with the therapist’s name and credentials, the session date, and the cost. You can submit the receipt through your insurance provider’s online portal or mobile app. 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. 

Laurier Student Wellness Centre offers free counselling and other support, including consultations with a mental health nurse; medical appointments with doctors for diagnosis, treatment, or referral; crisis intervention and management; and short-term, goal-directed therapy with counsellors/psychotherapists. For longer-term support or if you want a therapist with expertise in a specific mental health concern or therapy approach, you can also consider private therapy. Your student insurance may cover part of the cost, and some therapists offer sliding-scale rates based on your financial circumstances.

Counselling at the Laurier Student Wellness Centre 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 mental health nurses, doctors, and counsellors in one place.

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.

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. If you're using your own student insurance plan, this generally isn't an issue.

First, complete the Accessible Learning Registration Form and submit supporting documentation. WLU requires different documentation for different disabilities. For mental health/psychiatric disabilities, you'll need a licensed healthcare provider, such as a family physician, nurse practitioner, registered psychologist, or psychiatrist, to complete the Mental Health Disability Verification Form. For ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, you'll need the Accessible Learning Disability Verification Form: Attention/ASD Disability completed in the last year, as well as a psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessment. For a learning disability, you'll need a psycho-educational assessment and an official diagnosis from a psychologist. Once you're registered, you'll meet with your Accessible Learning Consultant to build a personalized accommodation plan, and then you'll meet with your Learning Strategist to build a Personal Success Plan. For more information and support, you can connect with the WLU Accessible Learning Intake Team.

If you missed a midterm, lab, or coursework deadline, email your professor or instructor as soon as possible and discuss your options. For short absences (less than one week) due to illness or a personal crisis, you may submit an Illness Self-Declaration Form instead of formal medical documentation. If you missed a final exam, you must appeal for a deferred exam no later than three business days after the scheduled date of the exam. The petition requires a personal attestation. Medical documentation is not required for your first up to five deferred exams.

No. First Session is an independent company and is not affiliated with Wilfrid Laurier University. We created this page specifically to support WLU 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.