NIHB-Covered Therapy · Toronto & Ontario
NIHB-registered psychotherapists · Direct billing to Express Scripts Canada

NIHB-Covered Therapy

Psychotherapy Services for First Nations and Inuit through the NIHB Program

$28.75
Your cost per session
NIHB pays the remaining $191.25
What we offer

Counselling covered through the NIHB program

At Feel Your Way Therapy, we support the mental health and well-being of eligible First Nations and Inuit people through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. Mental health counselling is a covered benefit under NIHB, and our registered therapists handle the approval and billing paperwork with you — so the process is one less thing to carry.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

Our team of experienced therapists provides a safe and supportive environment to explore your challenges and foster healing. We honor the unique experiences and cultural values of First Nations and Inuit communities in every session.

What NIHB Covers

NIHB pays a fixed rate of $191.25 toward each counselling session. Our standard fee is $220, so the remaining $28.75 is paid by you — and nothing else. NIHB only registers Registered Psychotherapists in independent practice, which means every therapist you can see through the program here is one of our most experienced clinicians. We bill Express Scripts Canada directly for the covered portion, so there's no claim for you to file.

Tailored Support for Your Needs

Whether you're dealing with stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship concerns, our therapists use evidence-based approaches to help you on your healing journey.

What it costs

$28.75 per session, and nothing else

Our standard fee
$220

The full session fee for a Registered Psychotherapist.

NIHB pays
$191.25

Billed directly to Express Scripts Canada — there's no claim for you to file.

You pay
$28.75

Per session. No booking fees, no other charges. We confirm the numbers with you in writing before your first session.

Getting started

How to access therapy through the NIHB program

1

Check that you're eligible.

NIHB covers registered First Nations people with a Certificate of Indian Status or Secure Certificate of Indian Status, and recognized Inuit confirmed through an Inuit land claims organization.

2

Have your status card ready.

We'll need your 10-digit NIHB registration number, plus your legal name and date of birth as they appear on the card.

3

Tell us about any other coverage.

NIHB is the payer of last resort, so if you have extended health benefits through work, school, or a partner, that plan is billed first and NIHB covers the remainder.

4
Most missed step

If you've used NIHB counselling before, transfer your benefit first.

If another provider has been billing your NIHB mental health benefit, send a transfer letter to the Express Scripts Canada NIHB office asking to switch it to Feel Your Way Therapy. This has to be confirmed before we can book your consultation, so it's worth starting early.

5

We request prior approval.

We submit your request to Express Scripts Canada — usually one intake session plus up to 20 counselling sessions per calendar year. Approval typically comes back within five to ten business days. We handle the submission and the follow-up.

6

We confirm your fee in writing.

Before your first session you'll get the numbers in writing: NIHB pays $191.25, your share is $28.75 per session, and there are no other charges.

7

Book with an NIHB-registered therapist.

Once approval is in, you're matched with one of our registered therapists and we book your sessions — as many in advance as you'd like.

Keeping track

Session limits and renewals

NIHB approvals cover a set number of sessions, so we track yours from the start. We record your approved session count and expiry date when you begin, check it after every appointment, and let your therapist know when you're three sessions from your limit.

If you need more sessions, your therapist writes a short clinical justification and we submit a renewal request to Express Scripts Canada before your approved sessions run out. If a renewal is ever declined, we'll talk it through with you and look at the alternatives together — including our sliding scale and community resources.

Why Feel Your Way Therapy

Why Choose Feel Your Way Therapy?

Expert Team

Our senior therapists bring years of experience and specialized training in supporting diverse mental health needs.

Individualized Care

We tailor each session to meet your unique needs and goals.

Convenient Access

Located in downtown Toronto, we also offer online therapy for added convenience.

Trust and Confidentiality

Your privacy is our priority.

NIHB-registered providers

Meet our NIHB-approved therapists

NIHB only registers Registered Psychotherapists in independent practice, so not every therapist at a clinic is eligible — it's worth asking before you book anywhere. These three members of our team are registered NIHB providers with Express Scripts Canada, and they are among our most experienced clinicians.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about NIHB therapy coverage

Yes. Mental health counselling is a covered benefit under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, which Indigenous Services Canada provides for eligible First Nations and Inuit people. NIHB pays a fixed rate of $191.25 per session toward our $220 fee, leaving $28.75 for you. Counselling has to be delivered by an approved provider and approved before your sessions start — we handle that paperwork with Express Scripts Canada so it isn't yours to manage.
$28.75 per session. NIHB pays a fixed rate of $191.25 toward our standard $220 fee, and the difference is paid by you — there are no other charges, no booking fees, and nothing to claim back. NIHB only registers Registered Psychotherapists in independent practice, so the therapists you can see through the program are among our most experienced. We confirm the numbers with you in writing before your first session.
NIHB approvals are granted for a set number of sessions — typically one intake session plus up to 20 counselling sessions per calendar year. We record your approved count when you start, track it after every appointment, and tell your therapist when you're three sessions from your limit. If you need more, your therapist writes a short clinical justification and we submit a renewal before your approved sessions run out.
In most cases, yes. We submit a prior approval request to Express Scripts Canada, which processes NIHB claims, using your NIHB registration number and the number of sessions we're requesting. Approval usually comes back within five to ten business days. We make the submission and chase it if it's slow — you don't need to call anyone yourself.
Only Registered Psychotherapists in independent practice can be registered as NIHB providers, so not every therapist at a clinic will be eligible — it's worth asking before you book anywhere. Three of our Registered Psychotherapists are registered NIHB providers: Samira Rostami, Maksym Tkachenko, and Arkadiy Volkov. Samira is currently accepting new clients, and Maksym and Arkadiy both have a waitlist.
Two things: your 10-digit NIHB registration number, which is the number on your Certificate of Indian Status or Secure Certificate of Indian Status, and your legal name and date of birth exactly as they appear on that card. We'll also ask whether you have any other health coverage, and whether you've used your NIHB counselling benefit with another provider before.
You'll need to transfer the benefit to us before we can book your consultation. Send a transfer letter to the Express Scripts Canada NIHB office asking that your mental health benefit be switched to Feel Your Way Therapy. Once the transfer is confirmed we can request prior approval and get you booked. Start this early if you can — the transfer has to be confirmed before your first appointment, and that's the step most likely to hold things up.
NIHB is the payer of last resort, which means any other plan you hold has to be billed first. If you have extended health benefits through work, school, or a partner, we bill that plan for your sessions and NIHB covers what's left. Depending on how much your plan covers, this can reduce or remove the $28.75 you'd otherwise pay. Just tell us about any other coverage when you book and we'll coordinate it for you.
Yes, as long as you're located in Ontario. Our therapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and can work with you by secure video anywhere in the province, or in person at our office on Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto. NIHB is a federal program, but psychotherapists are licensed provincially — so if you're outside Ontario you'll need a provider registered in your own province.

If you need support right now

The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada, 24 hours a day, in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

1-855-242-3310

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

NIHB-covered care

Start Therapy Covered by NIHB

Taking the first step toward better mental health is easy. Contact us today to book a free consultation call or schedule an appointment with one of our senior therapists.

Visit us

NIHB-Covered Therapy in Toronto

Address
455 Spadina Ave, Unit #202
Toronto, ON M5S 2G8
Office hours
Monday – Sunday · 9 AM – 8 PM
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