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CACFT Membership

Naomi Norton, Ph.D., RMFT - S

(Registered Marital and Family Therapy- Supervisor)
CACFT Membership #: 20171662

The Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy (CACFT) was founded in 1995 to promote the profession and practice of couple/marriage and family therapy in Canada.

The Registered Marriage & Family Therapist (RMFT) designation shows that the therapist is a member of the association and is in the RMFT member category.

They have:

Have met rigorous educational standards making them exceptionally well qualified to practice Couple/Marriage and Family Therapy.
Have done more training and coursework in Couple & family therapy than most other psychotherapists.
Have more supervised hours of practicing couple/marriage & family therapy than the average psychotherapist.
Continuously update their knowledge of C/MFT by completing yearly mandatory continuing education requirements.

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Payment Process

In Canada, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a therapist. Therapy is treated similarly to getting a massage or working with a psychotherapist or chiropractor: generally, you’ll pay out-of-pocket or have insurance coverage.

Mental health coverage is often included if you have health benefits or additional insurance, usually through workplace benefits. Look at your plan carefully to understand which professionals are covered, how services are billed, and if there are any deductibles or copayments (i.e., some paid by you and some covered under the plan).

Workplace benefits booklet

When you use your workplace benefits plan, you work directly with the insurance provider, not your employer. Every benefits package is different. The info from your insurance provider—usually outlined in a benefits booklet document—isn’t always easy to understand.

Remember, while “therapist” and “counselor” are generic terms referring to mental health professionals, your benefits provider will be very specific when they describe what type of professionals they cover.

How does billing work?

Usually, your workplace health benefits will cover a certain dollar amount or percentage per visit, up to a maximum for that service type. For example, your therapist charges $120 per session, and your workplace benefits provide you $100 per visit up to an annual maximum of $500—you will pay $20 per visit yourself, and you will have enough coverage for five sessions each year. Thereafter, your costs for therapy will be out-of-pocket.

Some insurance policies may require you to pay a deductible (an amount you’re required to pay before your insurance kicks in), and then they’ll cover a percentage of the remaining bill, often referred to as co-insurance. For example, your therapist charges $120 per session. Your deductible is $20 and your co-insurance is 80/20, or 80%. Your insurance company will pay 80% of the remaining bill and you pay 20%

Appointment fee: $120
Deductible: $20 (you’ll pay this first, then your insurance coverage kicks in)
Remaining fee: $100
Insurance coverage at 80%: $80
Your remaining costs at 20%: $20

Typically you have a health insurance card (physical or digital), which includes your member information. A health services provider can use that info to charge their fee to your provider quickly.

Most therapists do not provide direct billing, so you will pay up-front for your appointment and then submit a claim to be reimbursed by your benefits provider. Usually, claims are filed online or in an app.

In order to file a claim, you’ll need a receipt that shows the amount paid, the therapist’s name, designation, and license number, as well as the type and length of appointment.

Workplace Health Benefits Terminology:

If you’re unsure about how your coverage works, be sure to reach out to your HR representative or your health benefits provider and they’ll be happy to explain it to you.

Here are some common terms you might come across in your benefits booklet:

Annual maximum: The total amount of treatment your insurer will pay for over a calendar year. Once you’ve exceeded this amount, you must pay out of your pocket.
Reasonable and customary: The amount your insurance company has determined they are willing to cover per appointment or session for a particular therapist designation in a specific location (usually province).
Coinsurance: The percentage you’ll pay for covered health services after considering your deductible. If you have an 80/20 plan, your insurance covers 80% of the costs, and you pay the remaining 20%. ‍
Deductible: The amount (not including copay) you must pay out of pocket before your insurance plan begins. ‍
Out-of-pocket costs: You must pay these because your insurance doesn’t cover them. Deductibles, coinsurance, and copays are all out-of-pocket costs.‍
Out-of-pocket limit or out-of-pocket maximum: Your healthcare plan may include an out-of-pocket limit or maximum; this is the highest total amount you’ll be required to pay during the year for certain health services.
‍Paramedical services: An umbrella term used to cover services such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, and dieticians covered under extended healthcare benefits. Different providers include different types of treatment in this category, so it’s important to read your benefits booklet closely.

Other types of workplace coverage

Your benefits booklet will also explain other services available to you, like Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) and Health Care Spending Accounts (HCSA).

An employee assistance program (EAP) is offered by your benefits provider. It lets you connect directly through them to mental health services instead of seeking a therapist on your own and submitting a claim for the cost after.