Frequently Asked Questions

I need immediate help, what can I do?

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (crisis is self-defined by the individual calling for support), the following options are available:

The NS Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167 (or 902-429-8167)

  • Available 24/7 (also provides in-person support in HRM)

  • Provides crisis intervention for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress including: suicidal thoughts, self-harming thoughts or behaviors, overwhelming anxiety, difficulty coping with distress, psychotic or distorted thinking, depression, substance use difficulties or any other self-identified mental health concerns.

The Crisis Line also supports families, friends, community agencies and others to manage mental health crisis through education, outreach and consultation. https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/services/provincial-mental-health-and-addictions-crisis-line

 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988

  • Available 24/7

  • Trained responders will provide support (and may connect you to a local support organization)

  • https://988.ca/about-us

If you have experienced a sexual assault, contact: Avalon Sexual Assault Centre

  • Call 902 422 4240

  • If you have experienced sexual assault in the last 7 days, call 902-425-0122 to speak with a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE).

 You can also call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

What’s the difference between a counselling therapist, psychotherapist, social worker, psychologist and psychiatrist?

In Canada, a counselling therapist and a psychotherapist are the same thing – some provinces use the term ‘counselling therapist’; others use the term ‘psychotherapist’.

In Nova Scotia, therapists are called counselling therapists and we are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (https://nscct.ca). Thus, counselling therapy is a regulated profession in Nova Scotia and only registered counselling therapists can use the professional (and protected) title of Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT). During the first two to five years of being registered, RCTs are called Registered Counselling Therapists Candidates (RCT-C), and they must meet certain requirements in order to have the ‘Candidate’ removed from their title.

RCTs and RCT-Cs can also get certified nationally from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (https://www.ccpa-accp.ca). However, this is not required if they practice in a regulated province. If they do become certified, then they can call themselves a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). 

Social Workers can also provide therapy. Social justice is a key aspect of their work; thus, they advocate for the improvement of social conditions and empower people to address life challenges and enhance well-being. In Nova Scotia, they are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers https://nscsw.org

Psychologists can also provide therapy. In addition, they have training to do diagnostic assessments, e.g. make mental health diagnoses. In Nova Scotia, they are regulated by the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology https://www.nsbep.org

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can also provide therapy. In addition, they conduct psychological testing and assessments, make mental health diagnoses, and can prescribe medications. In Nova Scotia, they are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia https://cpsns.ns.ca.

Does insurance cover the cost of therapy?

If you have private health insurance, e.g. through an employer, then you will likely have coverage for therapy. Check your insurance policy to see if “counselling therapist” or “registered counsellor” is an approved provider under your coverage. You should also check the amount that your health insurance policy will cover and if there are any requirements, e.g. written approval from a doctor in order for therapy to be covered.

Currently, provincial health insurance in Nova Scotia (MSI) does not include therapy.

Do I have to pay HST for therapy sessions?

No, as of June 2024, regulated counselling therapists (and psychotherapists) are no longer required to charge HST on their services.

Click here for more information from Revenue Canada.

Are therapy sessions tax-deductible?

Counselling therapy fees can be an eligible medical expense claimed on your CRA tax return. However, in order to be eligible, you must be eligible for the disability tax credit and the therapy must be prescribed and supervised by a medical doctor, psychologist, or nurse practitioner.

For more information, click here.

I don’t have private insurance and I can’t afford therapy, what are my options?

There are various options for people looking for low or no-cost therapy. Check out the Mental Health Resources page for more information.

For teens: Are my sessions confidential and/or will my parents/guardians sit in on sessions?

Sessions are completely confidential unless you indicate that you are at imminent risk of harming yourself and/or harming others, if you talk about a child or senior who is being abused (or has been abused or is at risk of being abused). Your session notes could also be court ordered, e.g. subpoenaed by a judge if you are involved in a court case.

No one will sit in on your session unless you give written consent for that to happen. If you would like your parents, guardians or anyone else to be at a session, then we will discuss what you want to happen during that session, e.g. what will be discussed and what will not be discussed, what you want to share (or not share), etc. If your family decides that they would like family counselling, then I will refer you to a Family Therapist.

I would like to file a complaint against a therapist, how do I do that?

Each profession is regulated so it depends on who you are filing the complaint against. The regulatory bodies for each of the following are:

To file a complaint against a Registered Counselling Therapist or a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate, the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists has multiple options:

For Registered Counselling Therapists Candidates, you can also contact their supervisor. The supervisor for Maria Cain is Jillian Rankin and you can reach her at: jillian@calmingwaters.ca.

If you would like more information about the ethical standards that counselling therapists are required to follow or more information on how to file a complaint, go to the Ethics and Complaints page.