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Western student counselling coverage: what $1,200/year means in real life

by Trillium on

If you’re a Western student thinking about counselling, cost is usually the first question.

The good news: many Western students have mental health coverage through the University Students’ Council (USC) plan that can cover counselling with eligible providers up to a yearly maximum. That means support may be far more affordable than most students expect.

What Western’s $1,200/year coverage can mean (in sessions)

Western’s USC plan can cover counselling with eligible providers up to $1,200 per student year (for Registered Psychologist, Registered Psychotherapist, or Registered Social Worker services).

To make that more concrete:

  • If your sessions are around $175 per session, $1,200 can cover roughly 6–7 sessions.
  • If you attend bi‑weekly (every 2 weeks), that’s around 3 months of support.

Important: coverage details can vary by plan and year, and students’ personal situations can be different. If you’re unsure, we can help you figure out what questions to ask and what to look for in your plan documents.

What “direct billing” means (and why it helps)

Direct billing simply means the counselling clinic submits eligible claims directly to your benefits provider (when possible), instead of you having to pay and then submit everything yourself.

For many students, this reduces friction in two ways:

  • Less admin work (fewer forms and steps)
  • Less “out‑of‑pocket” uncertainty (especially if you’re balancing rent, tuition, and daily expenses)

We can also guide you if direct billing isn’t available for your specific plan—students can often still submit receipts for reimbursement.

What’s typically covered (and what to check)

Student plans often have requirements such as:

  • Eligible provider types (for example: RP, RSW, etc.)
  • Maximum annual coverage (your “cap”)
  • How claims are processed (direct bill vs reimbursement)
  • Whether a referral is required (often not for counselling, but check)

Our therapy team is comprised of Registered Social Workers (MSW) and Registered Psychotherapists (RP) which as of the time of writing this are both covered under the benefits plan.  If you’d like help clarifying this, the easiest way is to book a short matching consult—no commitment, no pressure.

If you’re not sure you “need” therapy

A lot of students hesitate because they think therapy is only for crisis situations. In reality, many students start counselling to work on things like:

  • stress and burnout
  • anxiety and overthinking
  • motivation and procrastination
  • confidence and relationships
  • big transitions (first year, graduation, career pressure)

Getting support early can be preventative—not because anything is “wrong,” but because you deserve tools that make life easier.

Your easiest next step (3 options)

Option 1 (recommended): Book a free 20‑minute matching consult (no credit card required). We’ll listen briefly and match you with a therapist who fits your goals.

Option 2: Send a request form and we’ll respond with suggested next steps.

Option 3: Book online now (note: online booking requires a credit card to reserve an appointment).

Ready when you are

Note: This article is for general information and isn’t medical, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage can vary by plan details and individual circumstances.

If you feel unsafe or need urgent support: call 9‑1‑1. In Canada, you can call or text 9‑8‑8 for 24/7 support.

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