Direct billing therapy Vancouver | Insurance for counselling BC | EMDR therapy Vancouver Insurance | Extended health benefits therapy | Trauma therapy Vancouver | Trauma therapist Vancouver | RCC direct billing | Counselling insurance Vancouver
Starting therapy is a meaningful decision. Between finding the right therapist, building the courage to reach out, and finally walking through the door, the last thing you want is to feel like the financial piece is a barrier. We hear that. Which is why we’re glad to offer direct billing to over 30 major Canadian insurance providers, so that if you have extended health benefits, using them is simple. We’ve chosen to make this a priority because we know that access to care matters, and that the logistics surrounding therapy can feel like too much when you’re already carrying a lot.
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What Direct Billing Actually Means for You
When you opt in to direct billing, we submit your insurance claim on your behalf at the end of each session. Instead of paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement we handle the claim directly with your insurer, and any remaining balance (deductibles, co-pays, or amounts above your plan’s coverage limit) is charged to the card you have on file afterward.
That might sound like a small thing, but for many clients it makes a huge difference. Trauma therapy is deep work and sessions can bring up a lot, so walking out of an emotionally intense appointment and immediately having to think about payment can feel a little at odds with the care you just received. Direct billing removes that moment entirely. The financial piece is handled, and you can focus on self-care and integrating session material.
Another practical benefit of direct billing is that using your extended health benefits becomes something you finally do, rather than something you keep meaning to figure out. When submitting claims is on your own to-do list, it’s easy for sessions to feel more expensive and inconvenient than they are. Direct billing makes sure your coverage is working for you in real time.
Insurance Providers We Direct Bill
We currently direct bill to the following providers (primary insurance only):
•Alberta Blue Cross
•Beneva Inc.
•BPA – Benefit Plan Administrators
•Canada Life
•Canada Life – PSHCP
•Canadian Construction Workers Union
•Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance
•CINUP
•ClaimSecure
•Coughlin & Associates Ltd.
•Cowan
•D.A. Townley
•Desjardins Insurance
•Equitable
•First Canadian
•GMS Carrier 49
•GMS Carrier 50
•GroupHEALTH
•GroupSource
•Industrial Alliance
•Johnson Inc.
•Johnston Group Inc.
•LiUNA Local 183
•LiUNA Local 506
•Manion
•Manulife Financial
•Maximum Benefit
•MDM Insurance Services Inc.
•People Corporation
•RWAM Insurance Administrators
•Simply Benefits
•TELUS AdjudiCare
•Union Benefits
•UV Insurance
A few things worth knowing: we offer direct billing to your primary insurance provider only. If you have secondary coverage, you’re welcome to submit those claims independently for any remaining balance. We also want to be transparent that we do not currently direct bill ICBC. That said, many of our clients who are navigating motor vehicle accident trauma choose to work with us and submit receipts to ICBC for reimbursement on their own as our therapists are experienced in MVA trauma and the specific ways it shows up in the body and nervous system.
Direct billing is opt-in, not automatic. To get set up, please fill out the insurance section of your intake form with the required information. We recommend confirming with your insurance provider that your plan covers sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) before your first appointment, as coverage details vary between plans.
What Happens When Your Benefits Run Out
Extended health benefits are a meaningful resource, but they’re also finite. Most plans renew annually and sometimes coverage runs out before clients feel complete in their work. We want to be upfront about this, because we don’t believe that your insurance plan should be the thing that determines the continuity of your healing.
When benefits expire for the year, a lot of our clients find it helpful to shift their session frequency rather than stopping entirely. Some move from weekly to bi-weekly sessions. Others switch to monthly check-ins to stay connected to their process without a major financial commitment. Some go to quarterly sessions during a maintenance phase, when things have stabilized and they want ongoing support without the same frequency, or if there are financial constraints. There’s no single right answer, it depends on where you are in your treatment and what your budget realistically allows.
One thing many of our clients do is pre-book sessions in advance for after their benefits renew. Knowing that support is already scheduled and there’s a date on the calendar when you’ll be back in the room with your therapist provides a kind of continuity that is reassuring. Healing doesn’t pause just because coverage does, and having something to look forward to can be anchoring.
We also believe that therapy is an investment worth prioritizing, in the same way people prioritize gym memberships, hair appointments, yoga classes, physiotherapy, or other health and wellness practices. Ongoing mental and emotional health isn’t a luxury. For high-achieving women who spend so much time taking care of others and performing at a high level, having dedicated space to tend to your own inner world is foundational. We’ll always work with you to find a rhythm that’s sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to opt in to direct billing?
Direct billing is optional. If you’d like to use it, please complete the insurance section of your intake form prior to your first session and we’ll get you set up. If you are a current client, just reach out to our team to pass on your insurance information and we can ensure you are set up. If you prefer to pay out of pocket and submit your own claims, that’s completely fine too.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover the full session fee?
Any amount not covered by your plan (deductibles, co-pays, or amounts above your coverage limit) will be charged to the card you have on file after your insurance has been processed. You’ll never be surprised by a charge; we’ll communicate clearly in our consent process about what to expect.
Does my plan cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
Coverage varies depending on your employer’s plan. Some plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) specifically; others require a registered psychologist or social worker. We recommend calling the member services number on the back of your benefits card and asking whether RCC sessions are covered before your first appointment. Our admin team is happy to provide you with the relevant credential information to share with your insurer.
Can I use direct billing for ICBC sessions?
We do not direct bill ICBC at this time. However, many clients working through motor vehicle accident trauma choose to work with us and submit their receipts to ICBC directly for reimbursement. Our therapists have experience supporting clients navigating MVA trauma and can provide the documentation you need.
What if my benefits run out mid-treatment?
This is really common, and it doesn’t have to mean stopping. We’ll talk through options together, whether that’s adjusting session frequency, spacing out appointments to match your budget, or pre-booking for when your benefits renew. Your therapist will support you in creating a plan that keeps your treatment on track.
Can I use secondary insurance?
We direct bill to your primary insurance provider only. If you have secondary coverage through a partner’s plan or another policy, you’re welcome to submit the remaining balance to your secondary insurer independently using the receipt we provide.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious about whether your benefits cover trauma therapy at The Trauma Therapy Group, or you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to connect. We offer a free 20-minute consultation so you can ask questions, get a feel for our approach, and figure out whether we’re the right fit for what you’re navigating. There’s no pressure and no commitment required, just a conversation.