Does Desjardins insurance cover therapy?

Desjardins insurance plans offer coverage for many different mental health treatments, including therapy and counselling. But keep in mind that every policy is different — what your employer covers can differ entirely from another, even in similar industries.

If you're seeking affordable therapy or affordable counselling services but aren’t sure whether your Desjardins insurance policy has you covered, dusting up on your policy details and insurance benefits is the first step to take.

Does Desjardins cover therapy?

“It depends.”

That’s about the most concise response possible.

Does your employer's policy include coverage for mental health services? If so, your insurance benefits will give you Desjardins coverage for therapy and counselling. But the details of your coverage depend entirely on your employer's specific program, coverage options, and extended health care coverage.

Because of that, if you read just one part of this article, make it this: 

Consult your company's specific Desjardins policy to determine whether: 

1. Your insurance offers mental health coverage
2. The extent of that coverage 
3. The qualifications your provider should have in order for you to be eligible for reimbursement

Your specific policy may differ, but mental health services covered by the Desjardins insurance company extended health plans typically include:

• Individual Therapy
• Couples Therapy
• Family & Group Therapy
• Online Therapy

Desjardins will only provide coverage for mental health services delivered by regulated mental health professional such as certified therapists, counsellors, or social workers. Requirements for eligible coverage are covered in your company’s policy. 

If in doubt, ask your HR department (or, contact Desjardins insurance company directly for specific information about your program)

What types of therapists are eligible for Desjardins therapy coverage?

Typically, in-person or online therapists, counsellors, or social workers eligible for Desjardins insurance coverage include:

• Registered Psychotherapist
• Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
• Psychologist (C.Psych, R.Psych, etc)
• Psychological Associate
• Registered Clinical Counsellor
• Provisional Psychologist
• Certified Canadian Counsellor
• Family therapists
• Registered Social Worker
• Registered Clinical Social Worker
• Registered Counselling Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Anger management therapy
• Relationship issue counsellors
• Counselling for youth
• Couples counselling

You may be able to find therapists compatible with your mental health coverage plan by using the Desjardins phone app. Your policy will outline any certifications or other requirements it’s necessary your mental health provider have.

What types of therapy services are covered by Desjardins?

Desjardins mental health coverage usually covers a wide range of counselling philosophies and approaches to therapy that can help you navigate everyday life. That includes, at minimum:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Again, your specific policy may have specific requirements, and may not cover every approach to therapy out there. Before setting your heart on a particular counselling type, or making an appointment, check your insurance benefits thoroughly.

Many therapists, counsellors, and social workers specialize in multiple behavioral health treatments and types. Some therapy platforms give you tools to filter available therapists by modality or issue (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy, workplace stress, body image issues, counselling for youth, couples therapy, relationship issue counselling, body image concerns, difficult life transitions, etc). That can help narrow your search options quickly.

How many therapy sessions will Desjardins cover?

Reimbursement details and coverage can range widely when your policy covers therapy.

When it comes to affordable counselling, some employers cover 100% of the cost, with yearly maximums in the $10,000 range. Others might provide a yearly maximum of $2000. It 100% depends on your employer's policy.

Check your specific policy or consult your human resources department for complete details on your insurance coverage and extended health plan.

Does the Desjardins insurance company cover psychotherapy?

Yes, Desjardins does cover psychotherapy. Psychotherapy—aka “talk therapy”—is a common form of therapy focused on helping individuals with a wide range of mental health issues navigate everyday life. Many psychotherapists (including counsellors and social workers) will specialize in the types of behavioral health services listed above under “What types of therapy are covered by Desjardins?”

Does Desjardins insurance cover counselling?

Yes. As a matter of fact, the terms "counsellor" and "therapist" are generally considered interchangeable. "Social worker" is another profession with overlap. Before booking, just be sure you understand what qualifications your counsellor requires in order to be covered by your Desjardins policy.

Does Desjardins cover online therapy?

Yes. As long as your online counsellor or social worker meets the professional certification and credentials laid out by your Desjardins policy, online therapy is covered the same as in-person counselling.

There may be coverage limits specific to your policy that state otherwise, but this would be highly unusual (at time of writing—2024).

Is Desjardins direct billing available? 

Yes! However, it all depends on your therapist or counsellor. Some counselling platforms like First Session allow you to search for therapists that direct bill insurance. 

How can I get extra coverage for therapy under my Desjardins plan?

The amount of extra coverage or additional benefits that may or may not be available under your plan is determined by the policy your employer has signed up for. Consult with your plan administrator about extra coverage or additional benefits for therapy (or any other care, like dental services).

How much therapy is covered per person per calendar year by my plan?

If you have a spouse or dependents, they may be covered by your plan. That means you need to determine how much coverage your plan offers each person per calendar year. The amount of mental health coverage available to each person per calendar year is based on your specific policy. It may be considerably less or considerably more (for example) than dental coverage available to each person per calendar year—so don't make assumptions. Check you specific policy or consult with your plan administrator to find out. (Note that your plan may also limit the number of practitioner per calendar year you may see.)

Does Desjardins offer comprehensive coverage options?

When it comes to comprehensive coverage options, Desjardins offers a wide range of mental health services. Visit Desjardin's health and dental coverage page for more information about complete plans, or talk to your plan administrator.

Two ways to make the most of your Desjardins insurance mental health coverage

Word of advice: Whether your Desjardins insurance coverage limit is $2000 or $10,000 of annual costs related to therapy, making the most of your coverage can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Doing so ensures you make the most progress possible in therapy, resulting in lasting and impactful changes to your mental health and quality of everyday life.

1) Focus on finding the right therapist

The amount of annual costs covered by your plan is limited, so don't want to waste time "trialling" different therapists, counsellors, and social workers.

Whether it's for in-person or online therapy, make the time to do your research and find a licensed therapist or mental health care professional that feels like the right fit. The ideal therapist is someone you can envision working with consistently over the months ahead—possibly even for years. 

Research shows that consistency (regular sessions) and fit (a therapist or social worker who suits your needs and personality) are two of the most critical factors leading to lasting changes in your mental health.

Most therapist marketplaces/platforms will provide some details about a therapist before you book. First Session, in particular, provides extended video interviews, helping you to figure out whether a therapist might be a good fit before you book your first session.

Again, double check the in-person or mental health care provider you decide to go with meets your health plan's requirements for reimbursement. If you have any questions, ask your HR department or representative.

For more advice on finding the right therapist, read our short guide.

2) Determine your therapy schedule

Regardless of what mental health conditions you may be experiencing, consistency plays a huge role in effective therapy. To calculate an affordable therapy cadence, divide your yearly coverage limit by the cost per session, and schedule accordingly.

For example: Suppose your yearly coverage is $5000, and each session with the therapist you prefer costs $200.

5000 divided by 200 equals 25. That equals just over 2 therapy sessions per month (or, a therapy session every 2 weeks).

Find a consistent day and hour to schedule each session, and block off time for it. Blocking off that time now ensures you won’t struggle to find a time in the future for your mental health journey.

Remember: Get to know your Desjardins insurance policy before you book 

Take 30 - 60 minutes to understand your Desjardins policy's mental health coverage and to find the right dedicated therapist, counsellor, or social worker. It can have a huge impact you everyday life. While every policy differs, knowing the details and nuances is pretty straightforward. As already mentioned, consult your specific policy, contact your HR representative, or call your regional Desjardins plan for further details.When it's time to find a licensed therapist, start your search with First Session's therapist database. You can search by therapy type, certification, location, and coverage. Then, watch intro videos to gauge for fit before you book — so you don't waste a single dollar of coverage on trialling the wrong therapist(s).