Affordable therapy in
Burlington, Ontario
Registered psychotherapists in Burlington with transparent pricing, sliding scale, insurance-covered sessions, and a free 15-minute discovery call. Sessions start at $140 — HST exempt, most extended benefits accepted. Same-day availability.
Our therapists in Burlington
Alisa offers warm, accessible therapy in Burlington in-person and online across Ontario at $140 per session — our lowest fee, with sliding scale available for students and those on a tight budget. She draws on CBT, DBT, EFT, and somatic awareness, adapting her approach to what each person needs — whether that is practical tools for anxiety and stress, or space to make sense of a difficult chapter. Many first-time clients say she makes therapy feel approachable rather than intimidating.
Olga is a Gestalt-trained Registered Psychotherapist with 7+ years of experience offering counselling in-person in Oakville and online across Burlington and Halton Region. She blends relational depth with practical tools, which suits people who want more than a checklist of techniques. Sessions feel warm and conversational, with room for whatever you bring — work stress, relationships, identity, or simply a sense that something needs to shift.
More therapists — online across Ontario
Gina is a Registered Psychotherapist (MA, RP) offering therapy online to Burlington clients and across Ontario at $140 — matching our lowest fee. Her holistic style blends CBT, ACT, DBT, and mindfulness — a flexible framework that fits anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and the everyday wear of stress. Sliding scale considered case-by-case. Sessions in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Donna is a Social Worker and Psychotherapist with 18+ years of experience offering counselling online to Burlington residents and across Ontario. Her style is steady, person-centred, and trauma-informed — drawing on CBT, DBT, solution-focused, and mindfulness approaches as the work calls for them. She is a particularly good fit for clients who have not always felt understood in therapy before.
Justine is a Registered Social Worker (M.S.W., R.S.W.) offering counselling online to Burlington-area clients and across Ontario. She draws on CBT, DBT, attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness in an integrative style that meets people where they are. She works well with adults, youth, and families, and brings particular sensitivity to clients from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Oksana is a Registered Psychotherapist (MACP) offering counselling online to Burlington clients and across Ontario. She brings warmth, careful listening, and a developmental and attachment lens to the work. Sessions tend to suit people who want to understand themselves better — why certain patterns repeat in relationships, work, or self-talk — alongside practical support for everyday challenges.
Our Burlington therapists also see clients at Anytime Anywhere Therapy, a few steps away.
Visit clinic website →Affordable therapy in Burlington, Ontario
Affordable does not mean cut-rate. Every therapist at GestaltReview is a Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO or a Registered Social Worker with OCSWSSW — the two regulatory bodies that govern psychotherapy in Ontario. What we do offer is transparent pricing, no surprise fees, and several practical paths to make ongoing therapy financially sustainable.
Sessions start at $140 — among the lower end for registered psychotherapists in Halton Region, where rates commonly run $180–$225. Therapy is exempt from HST in Ontario (a 13% saving over services that charge tax), and most extended health benefit plans through work cover sessions with CRPO and OCSWSSW practitioners. Several of our therapists offer sliding scale rates for students, low-income clients, or those between jobs — just mention this on your free 15-minute discovery call.
In-person therapy in Burlington is at 3425 Harvester Rd, Unit 213. Online therapy is available across Ontario, often at the same fee. The free discovery call is the right place to talk about cost openly — every therapist on this page expects that conversation and will let you know what is possible.
How to make therapy more affordable
1. Check your insurance first. Most extended health plans cover $500–$1,500 per year for psychotherapy. Ask HR for your benefits booklet, or call your insurer and ask: "Do you cover Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or Registered Social Workers (RSW)? What is my annual maximum?" Many people have coverage they never use.
2. Ask about your EAP. Many employers offer an Employee Assistance Program — typically 3 to 8 free sessions per year through providers like LifeWorks, Telus Health, or Homewood Health. EAP is a useful starting point even if you continue with a regular therapist afterward.
3. Ask about sliding scale openly. Most of our therapists hold a few sliding-scale spots. There is no shame in asking — therapists understand that consistent affordable therapy beats sporadic full-fee therapy. Bring it up on the discovery call.
4. Partial coverage stretches further. If your insurance covers $500/year and sessions are $140, that is roughly 3.5 fully-covered sessions — useful for an initial intensive period. After that, biweekly or monthly sessions can keep momentum without breaking the budget.
How therapy fees work in Ontario
A plain-language comparison of common options for mental health support in Burlington and across Ontario, with GestaltReview highlighted. Fees vary; the figures below are typical ranges in 2026.
| What to compare | GestaltReview | Walk-in clinics | Counselling agencies | Online apps | Private psychologist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting fee | $140 / session | OHIP-covered (limited) | $60–$120 (subsidised) | $60–$320 / month | $225–$300 / session |
| Sliding scale | Yes — most therapists | N/A | Yes — income-tested | Rare | Occasionally |
| Insurance coverage | Yes — CRPO & OCSWSSW | N/A (publicly funded) | Sometimes | Usually not | Yes — registered psychologists |
| Wait time | Same-day · no waitlist | Hours (walk-in) | 6–18 months | Same-day | 2–8 weeks |
| Session length | 50 minutes | 10–20 minutes | 50 minutes | Chat-based / 30-min calls | 50 minutes |
| Practitioner regulation | CRPO / OCSWSSW | CPSO physicians | Varies — verify each | Often unregulated | CPO psychologists |
Affordable therapy across Halton Region and Ontario
All our therapists offer online sessions across Ontario at transparent, consistent fees. In-person therapy in Burlington and nearby Oakville.
Common questions about cost & coverage
How much does therapy in Burlington really cost?
At GestaltReview, sessions start at $140 and range up to $190 for our most senior practitioners, for a standard 50-minute session. That is at the lower end for registered psychotherapists in Burlington and Halton Region, where rates commonly run $180–$225 and private psychologists charge $225–$300. There are no booking fees, intake fees, or hidden charges, and HST does not apply because psychotherapy is exempt. The fee you see is the fee you pay.
Is therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?
Most extended health benefit plans cover psychotherapy by Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) and Registered Social Workers (RSW / OCSWSSW). Annual coverage typically ranges from $500 to $1,500 per person, per year — often more under employer plans. We provide receipts after each session that you can submit to your insurer. The simplest way to confirm is to call your insurance provider and ask whether they cover CRPO or RSW practitioners and what your annual maximum is.
Do you offer sliding scale or reduced-rate sessions?
Yes — most of our therapists hold a small number of sliding-scale spots, typically $100–$130 instead of the full fee. There is no formal income test or paperwork; just mention budget on your free 15-minute discovery call and the therapist will let you know what is possible. Sliding scale spots are limited and tend to fill up, so it is worth asking early.
What's the difference between a therapist and a more affordable option like an EAP or online app?
EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) offer 3–8 free short-term sessions per year through your employer — useful for a single concern but generally not for ongoing depth work. Online apps like BetterHelp typically use chat-based or short calls with practitioners regulated outside Canada. A Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario (CRPO or OCSWSSW) costs more per session but offers 50-minute weekly sessions, regulated practice, insurance reimbursement, and continuity of care. For many people, the most affordable path is: EAP first, then transition to a private therapist using insurance + sliding scale.
Can I claim therapy on my taxes?
Yes — fees paid to a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) or Registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW) qualify as a medical expense on your Canadian tax return, recognised by the CRA. Keep your receipts and claim them on your T1 tax return under medical expenses. This is in addition to any insurance reimbursement and can return roughly 15–25% of your out-of-pocket fees, depending on your income bracket. Speak with an accountant for specifics.
What if I can't afford weekly sessions?
Weekly is the standard rhythm, but it is not the only option. Many clients work biweekly, monthly, or in short focused bursts (six to eight sessions, then a pause). If you have partial insurance coverage, an initial weekly stretch of four to six sessions followed by monthly check-ins stretches further than the same dollars spread thinly. Talk openly with your therapist about your budget — a good therapist will plan the work around what is realistic for you, not the other way around.
Practical reading on finding a therapist who fits
Cost is one factor; fit is the other. The relationship with your therapist matters more for outcome than the specific approach or fee — so a slightly cheaper therapist you do not click with is rarely a bargain in the long run. The short reads below help with the practical side of choosing well.
If you are still narrowing things down, our guide to finding a therapist in Burlington walks through the questions worth asking on a discovery call — including the ones about money.