calling all canadians; specifically ontarians - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

toremi · 17th Jan 2012, 03:06 PM

Quick question for anyone in the know...

Is ALL therapy sessions at our cost or is there any sort of therapy sessions that are covers by OHIP. I have been super stressed lately about MANY things in my life (ie; losing my job, being broke, sexuality). This has been causing me to lose sleep, eating, etc. Anyway I was surprised to learn that OHIP doesn't cover therapy?

Is there anyway to get a referral so that is covered?

robclem21 · 17th Jan 2012, 06:00 PM

Not entirely sure. Perhaps talk to your family doctor or GP and see if he can make any suggestions or referrals for specialists that you can see that would be covered by OHIP.

**Chip** · 17th Jan 2012, 06:46 PM

Hi,

If you PM BlairSW, he should be able to help you with this. He's our staff social worker and was a therapist at David Kelly Services in Toronto, and I know they have low or no-cost therapy (with a long waiting list) for LGBT people, but he probably knows the ins and outs of what coverage is available and how to get low-cost services. You might also contact The519.org which is a very large LGBT community center in Toronto, which has a lot of access to support resources.

toremi · 17th Jan 2012, 06:52 PM

Thank you both for the suggestions. I am newish to Ontario so I don't have a family doctor or anything... In fact my family doctor in my home province retired so I don't have one anywhere... so I wasn't sure where to turn.

I know when I was dealing with anxiety as a teenager and they wanted to put me on meds (which I refused) they set me up with someone and I didn't have to pay but I don't know the ins and outs. So I will try and get a referral or do as Chip says and contact BlairSW!

Cheers guys!

kiersten · 17th Jan 2012, 07:08 PM

My understanding s that in ON, OHIP will cover the cost of a psychiatrist for certain issues, like depression, but they will not cover psychologists. Im having this problem now, since my therapist is a psychologist & isnt covered by OHIP, which has made going too gender therapy very difficult for me. You should check to see what sorts of psychiatrists are in your area & they check with Service Canada to inquire about coverage for them. There may also be information on OHIPs website as well, so you may want to check that out too...

toremi · 17th Jan 2012, 07:33 PM

In my opinion

and in no offense to people who believe anything other.

I think it's a croc of shit that going to doctors who would simply "pump me full" of pills to make me "feel better" is covered, yet spending time with someone who can help you better understand yourself and/or get what you need out so you can ACTUALLY feel better isn't.

I have a LONG history with hating this; essentially long story short my mother took method number 1 for her anxiety attacks and it screwed her up more -- I took method number 2 and now can talk myself out of them, medication free and have never felt better.

But I forgot, it's the pharmaceutical industry who keeps everything going so by all means, lets fill up our prescriptions.

17th Jan 2012, 03:06 PM	#1
toremi Resident Ginger Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi-something, I'm not sure Out Status: like 2 ppl who know i am confused Location: Toronto Posts: 122 Join Date: Jan 2012	calling all canadians; specifically ontarians Quick question for anyone in the know... Is ALL therapy sessions at our cost or is there any sort of therapy sessions that are covers by OHIP. I have been super stressed lately about MANY things in my life (ie; losing my job, being broke, sexuality). This has been causing me to lose sleep, eating, etc. Anyway I was surprised to learn that OHIP doesn't cover therapy? Is there anyway to get a referral so that is covered?

17th Jan 2012, 06:00 PM	#2
robclem21 Here to chat and make friends Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Sisters and anyone else who wants to know Location: Toronto, Ontario Age: 21 Posts: 88 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: calling all canadians; specifically ontarians Not entirely sure. Perhaps talk to your family doctor or GP and see if he can make any suggestions or referrals for specialists that you can see that would be covered by OHIP. __________________ "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - Dr. Seuss

17th Jan 2012, 06:46 PM	#3
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,583 Join Date: May 2008	Re: calling all canadians; specifically ontarians Hi, If you PM BlairSW, he should be able to help you with this. He's our staff social worker and was a therapist at David Kelly Services in Toronto, and I know they have low or no-cost therapy (with a long waiting list) for LGBT people, but he probably knows the ins and outs of what coverage is available and how to get low-cost services. You might also contact The519.org which is a very large LGBT community center in Toronto, which has a lot of access to support resources.

17th Jan 2012, 06:52 PM	#4
toremi Resident Ginger Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi-something, I'm not sure Out Status: like 2 ppl who know i am confused Location: Toronto Posts: 122 Join Date: Jan 2012	Re: calling all canadians; specifically ontarians Thank you both for the suggestions. I am newish to Ontario so I don't have a family doctor or anything... In fact my family doctor in my home province retired so I don't have one anywhere... so I wasn't sure where to turn. I know when I was dealing with anxiety as a teenager and they wanted to put me on meds (which I refused) they set me up with someone and I didn't have to pay but I don't know the ins and outs. So I will try and get a referral or do as Chip says and contact BlairSW! Cheers guys!

17th Jan 2012, 07:08 PM	#5
kiersten KierstenChromium, Mistress Of Metal Full Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to 127 people & my parents & 1 cousin so far Location: Sarnia, ON Posts: 1,331 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: calling all canadians; specifically ontarians My understanding s that in ON, OHIP will cover the cost of a psychiatrist for certain issues, like depression, but they will not cover psychologists. Im having this problem now, since my therapist is a psychologist & isnt covered by OHIP, which has made going too gender therapy very difficult for me. You should check to see what sorts of psychiatrists are in your area & they check with Service Canada to inquire about coverage for them. There may also be information on OHIPs website as well, so you may want to check that out too... __________________ Penny: What's Sheldon's deal? Leonard: What do you mean "deal"? Penny : You know, like, what's his deal? Is it girls? Guys? Sock puppets? Leonard: Honestly, we've been operating under the assumption that he has no deal.

17th Jan 2012, 07:33 PM	#6
toremi Resident Ginger Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi-something, I'm not sure Out Status: like 2 ppl who know i am confused Location: Toronto Posts: 122 Join Date: Jan 2012	Re: calling all canadians; specifically ontarians In my opinion and in no offense to people who believe anything other. I think it's a croc of shit that going to doctors who would simply "pump me full" of pills to make me "feel better" is covered, yet spending time with someone who can help you better understand yourself and/or get what you need out so you can ACTUALLY feel better isn't. I have a LONG history with hating this; essentially long story short my mother took method number 1 for her anxiety attacks and it screwed her up more -- I took method number 2 and now can talk myself out of them, medication free and have never felt better. But I forgot, it's the pharmaceutical industry who keeps everything going so by all means, lets fill up our prescriptions.