Does Sun Life Insurance Cover Therapy?

Sun Life (the Sun Life and Health Insurance Company, or the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada) insurance coverage includes many different mental health treatments. But keep in mind that insurance policies differ — what your employer covers can differ entirely from another, even in similar industries.

If you're seeking affordable mental health solutions but aren’t sure whether your  mental health coverage really has you covered, dusting up on your policy details and insurance benefits is the first step to take.

Does Sun Life insurance cover therapy?

That's an obvious question with an obvious answer:

"It depends." 

Health plans help employees lead healthier lives overall. But your employer's policy may not include coverage for mental health services. The details of your Sun Life coverage benefits 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 Sun Life Canada coverage benefits 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 wellness services covered by Sun Life extended health plans typically include:

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

Sun Life insurance coverage for psychotherapy only includes therapy or counselling delivered by regulated mental health professionals. Requirements for eligible coverage are covered in your company’s policy. 

If in doubt, ask your HR department (or, register for a Sun Life Health Navigator account and log in to check your benefits)

What types of therapists are included in Sun Life Canada coverage for psychotherapy? 

One of the reasons benefit plans that include Sun Life mental health coverage are so valuable is that they cover a variety of meaningful services that can improve the daily lives of patients.

If you have mental health concerns, in-person or online therapy and counselling professionals eligible for Sun Life mental health 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

Your policy will outline any certifications or other requirements it’s necessary your mental health provider have.

As a general rule of thumb, coverage is generally designation dependent. Your insurance plan should be quite explicit on which designations are covered. For more information on designations, you can read our short guide.
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What types of therapy services are included in Sun Life Canada coverage and benefits?

Sun Life counselling coverage usually includes a wide range of counselling philosophies and clinical specialties for different mental health conditions. That includes, at minimum:

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

Again, your specific policy may have specific requirements when it comes to benefits for psychotherapy sessions, and may not cover every mental wellness offering out there. Before setting your heart on a particular counselling type, or making an appointment, check the policy thoroughly.

Many therapists 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 behavioural therapy, workplace stress, body image issues, counselling for youth, etc). That can help narrow your search options quickly.

Is therapy covered by insurance in Canada?

If you’re asking, “Is therapy covered by insurance in Canada?” your answer will depend on what type of insurance coverage you have. 

Check with your specific policy to find out whether you have therapy coverage, or what other mental wellness offerings are available under your policy.

How many therapy sessions will Sun Life therapy insurance cover?

Reimbursement details and coverage can range widely when your policy covers therapy. Some benefits plans offer a broader range of coverage than others.

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, or portfolio of benefits to learn more about which mental health resources are available to you.

Does Sun Life cover psychotherapy?

Yes, Sun Life 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 to achieve ideal mental health outcomes. Many psychotherapists will specialize in the types of behavioral health services listed above under “What types of therapy services are included in Sun Life coverage benefits?”

Does Sun Life cover counselling?

Yes. As a matter of fact, the terms "counsellor" and "therapist" are generally considered interchangeable. Before booking, just be sure you understand what qualifications your counsellor requires in order to be covered by your Sun Life employee wellness plan, so you can find treatment providing the best possible mental health outcomes.

Does Sun Life cover online therapy?

Yes. As long as your online therapy provider meets the professional certification and credentials laid out by your Sun Life policy, online mental healthcare is covered the same as in-person counselling.

There may be specific details in your policy about online therapy that state otherwise, but this would be highly unusual (at time of writing—2024). Still, it's wise to check the details before filing any mental health claims for remote treatment.

Does Sun Life cover unlimited talk therapy sessions?

While some health care plans may cover unlimited therapy sessions (whether virtual sessions or in-person), the exact extent of your coverage—as well as any other therapy tools or mental health benefits at your disposal—depends upon your specific policy.

Does Sun Life cover whole-person care?

Whole-person care is a healthcare approach that integrates mental health treatment and treatment of physical health symptoms.

Through a strategic partnership, Sun Life offers access via some employee benefit packages to Goodpath's whole-person care services at no additional cost. That includes virtual, whole-person care and proactive, whole-person care. Learn more about the partnership and Goodpath's whole-person care offering.

Does my Sun Life plan cover hiring a mental health coach?

Whether your plan covers hiring a mental health coach depends upon whether the coach is also a certified therapist.  

Some professionals who advertise mental health coaching services are not certified therapists and may not be covered by your plan. With all wellness solutions, and particularly behavioral health programs, make sure the professional administering care has the right certifications to be covered by your insurance program before filing any mental health claims.

Does Sun Life coverage include the cost of therapy for my spouse or domestic partner?

Whether therapy for your spouse or domestic partner is covered will depend on the details of your plan. If they your employee wellness plan covers domestic partners in general, it may not cover them for therapy specifically.

Is Sun Life 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.

Two ways to make the most of your Sun Life insurance coverage for psychotherapy

Word of advice: Whether your Sun Life insurance covers $2000 or $10,000 of annual costs related to mental health wellness solutions, 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 life.

1) Focus on finding the right therapist

The total of annual costs covered by your employee mental health plan is limited, so don't want to waste time "trialling" different therapists.

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 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 about your employee wellness coverage, 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 Sun Life policy before you book 

Take 30 - 60 minutes to understand your Sun Life mental health coverage and to find the right dedicated therapist. 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 Sun Life 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).