Sliding Scale

Licensed therapists at Diverse Roots (RCTs, RCT-Cs and SWCs) have a sliding scale that ranges from $110-$160 per 50 minute individual session ($115-$160 for credit card payments). For licensed therapists who are seeing more than one person as their clients (people who are in a relationship dynamic), the sliding scale ranges from $150-190 per 50 minute relationship/couples’ session ($155-$190 for credit card payments). Our therapists see clients in any form of relationship dynamic, including polycules. Clients are invited to pay whatever they can afford along these scales at any given time.

Student therapists’ sessions are charged at a reduced rate of $80 per 50 minute session.

Recurring support group sessions are $20 per session but if the cost of the group makes attending inaccessible, please contact us by email for lowered or waived rates.

One-off group therapy sessions are $30 per session.

All counselling therapy and social work sessions are HST/tax exempt.

We have a sliding scale because we acknowledge that almost all of our clients are either students and/or come from historically marginalized communities and have more tenuous financial situations due to systemic disadvantages. We also know that people’s financial situations fluctuate over time and we believe in making therapy as accessible as possible. If finances are a barrier to therapy for you, please contact us for alternatives. We strive for accessibility in all areas, including financially. We issue receipts after every session and our sessions can be claimed under income taxes.

We have always run our practice on a sliding scale because we are deeply committed to making therapy as accessible as possible. We also work in this way to undermine the systems of capitalism and white supremacy. This does not mean that we have surplus funds. After our operational costs are paid, including paying our team, we do not have much left over. If all of our clientele paid around the middle of our range ($140/session), we would typically be able to run our business without nearing the red line.

Community Support ($110-$120):

“Covering my basic needs* is a struggle”
“I am surviving mostly on credit debt”
“I rent my home or have unstable housing”
“I do not own my own car”
“I am unemployed or underemployed”
“I do not have private health insurance”
“I qualify for government financial assistance”
“I do not have savings”
“I am part of one or many historically oppressed groups”
“I am sick or disabled, to the point where my income is substantially impacted”

True Cost ($130-$150):

“I regularly meet my basic needs*”
“I usually only make minimum payments on my debts”
“I own or lease my car”
“I am employed”
“I have private health insurance”
“I have some expendable income**”
“I am mostly able bodied”
“I have a college degree”
“I have some family or community financial support”

Pay-It-Forward ($160):

“I comfortably and consistently meet all of my basic needs*”
“I own my home or rent a stable, higher-end property”
“I own or lease my car”
“I am employed or do not need to work”
“I have private health insurance”
“I have financial savings”
“I can take vacations regularly”
“I have access to generational wealth if needed”

*basic needs = food, clothing, safe and warm housing, medication, healthcare, time to rest.

**expendable income = ability to buy coffee out most days, go to a paid community event, go shopping, etc. without much worry.

The above was originally developed by Alexis J. Cunningfold and adapted by Rajesh Solanski and Brandi Solanski.

The options above are guidelines for you to be able to choose the most accessible spot for yourself – you may not see your exact situation here but please use these guidelines as a jumping off point to look at your financial situation holistically and within a community mindset. We will never ask you for proof of income or any other financial records – you know your financial situation best. 

Having said this, finances change over time. If you need to move your chosen fee at any time, please reach out to us at billing@diverserootstherapy.com. You can also reach out if you would like to talk through our sliding scale further or if you have any questions.

If you have surplus means and would like to contribute to others’ fees and to the running of our practice, please feel free to donate anytime using this link: Sowing Seeds for our Diverse Roots 

Student therapist session: $80

Therapist individual session: $110-$160 or $115-160 for credit card payments

Therapist relationship/couples’ session: $150-$190 or $155-$190 for credit card payments

Recurring support group sessions: $20

One-off group therapy sessions: $30 

Payment Methods

We are now accepting payments by e-transfer or credit card.

Insurance Coverage

Sessions with us are sometimes either fully or partially covered by private insurance (though not by MSI). You’ll have to contact your insurance company directly in order to find out whether you have coverage because RCTs and social workers are covered under some plans but not under others. If you are seeing one of our students, your coverage will go through Erica’s license number and name as they are working under Erica’s license as students.

Some good questions to ask your insurance company are:

• • Does my health/mental health insurance plan include benefits for Registered Counselling Therapists or social workers?
  • What is the maximum amount covered under my plan? Does it start over in January every year?
  • Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
  • Do I need written approval or a referral from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

If sessions with us are covered under your insurance plan (see list of direct billed insurance companies below), we can direct bill to them for reimbursement and you might have to pay only a portion of the session to us out of pocket or none at all, depending on your insurance coverage percentage.

Companies that we direct bill to:

AGA Financial Group inc. 

Beneva, BPA

Blue Cross Medavie 

Canada Life

Canada Life – PSHCP

Canadian Construction Workers Union

Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan

CINUP

ClaimSecure

Cowan Insurance Group (managed by Express Scripts Canada) 

D.A. Townley

Equitable

First Canadian

GMS Carriers 49 and 50 (Express Scripts Canada)

Greenshield 

Industrial Alliance

Johnson Inc. 

Johnston Group 

LiUna Local 183

LiUna Local 506

Manulife Financial

Maximum Benefit

MDM Insurance Services

People Corporation

Simply Benefits

TELUS AdjudiCare

Union Benefits

UV Insurance