Counselling information for Ontario residents
Understand the designation, the proposed service and your benefits before making arrangements.
If you are attending from Ontario and considering contacting Allura, these are some of the questions to discuss first. Whether a particular counsellor can work with you needs to be confirmed for your circumstances and the service you are seeking.
Similar words can describe different designations.
Ask which designation the individual holds, whether they have any additional registration, and which professional body you can contact to verify it. Use that exact information when checking your benefits.
RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
A designation held by members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors who meet its requirements. It is distinct from Ontario RP registration.
CCC
Canadian Certified Counsellor
A national certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Certification is distinct from membership alone and from Ontario RP registration.
RP
Registered Psychotherapist
This title identifies registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Check the individual’s current registration and any conditions in the register.
Intern counsellor
A practitioner in training
Ask about their training, supervisor and the specific services they can provide. An intern listing alone does not establish Ontario registration or authority for every service.
Confirm the individual arrangement.
Your needs and the proposed service need to be considered together with the counsellor’s actual qualifications and authority to practise.
Share where you will attend
Let the counsellor know you will be physically in Ontario during the appointment. Discuss planned travel or a change of location before a session.
Discuss the service
Explain what you are seeking support with. The counsellor needs to confirm whether the proposed work is appropriate and within their authority.
Check your benefits
Give your insurer the full name, exact designation and proposed service. Confirm the details before relying on reimbursement.
Counselling and restricted services
Some forms of psychotherapy are legally restricted in Ontario. The name given to a session does not determine whether that restriction applies. The practitioner is responsible for checking the actual work and their authority to offer it.
Check the professional register
If you want a Registered Psychotherapist, use CRPO’s public register to verify the individual’s registration. Contact the practitioner about their services, suitability and current appointment options.
Insurance depends on the details.
Benefits plans can distinguish between professional designations and types of service. A counsellor’s general experience does not establish that your plan will reimburse them.
- Give the insurer the counsellor’s full name, exact designation and any requested membership or registration details.
- Ask about the proposed individual or relationship service and attending online from Ontario.
- Check limits, referral or approval requirements, and what must appear on the receipt.
- Confirm whether you must use a particular assistance program or can choose a private provider.
If your plan names Registered Psychotherapists, ask specifically before assuming an RCC, CCC or intern is included.
Confirm the service and fee.
Each independent counsellor sets their own fees. First confirm that the proposed service can be offered for your circumstances, then discuss the session length, price and any consultation options.
Ask about payment, receipts and any direct billing arrangements. A direct billing option does not by itself establish insurance coverage.
Confirm reimbursement with your insurer before relying on benefits to cover a session.
A few useful distinctions.
Does RCC or CCC mean someone is an Ontario Registered Psychotherapist?
No. RCC and CCC identify different professional credentials. Neither designation by itself establishes registration with CRPO. A counsellor may hold additional qualifications, so check the individual’s actual credentials rather than assuming an equivalent. Use CRPO’s public register to verify RP registration.
Can I work with an Allura counsellor while attending from Ontario?
The individual counsellor needs to confirm your circumstances, their credentials and the particular service being proposed before any arrangement is made. A province selection in a directory is not a substitute for that review. You can contact Allura with your question before booking.
Why does the proposed service matter?
Ontario restricts certain psychotherapy services. Calling a session counselling does not determine whether that restriction applies. The practitioner needs to assess the actual work involved and whether they are authorized to provide it. Where another professional or service is needed, discuss an appropriate next step.
Will my extended health plan reimburse counselling?
Check your own plan using the counsellor’s full name and exact designation. Ask about the particular service, online appointments, any provider registration requirements, annual limits and receipt details. If your plan names a specific profession, do not assume a different designation is equivalent. Confirm any direct billing arrangement separately.
Is an intern counsellor covered by the same arrangements?
Training status, supervision and the proposed service need their own review. An intern listing does not automatically establish Ontario RP registration or authority for every service. Confirm the individual arrangement and any benefits requirements before booking.
What if I specifically want an Ontario Registered Psychotherapist?
Use CRPO’s public register to check an individual’s RP registration, status and any conditions. Contact the practitioner directly about the support you are looking for and whether their services are suitable.
Ask before making arrangements.
Let us know you are attending from Ontario and what you would like to clarify about a counsellor, designation or proposed service.