In-Person counselling room practice

Individuals, couples and families paying privately or through extended health benefits, and sometimes referrals from doctors, schools or employers.

A fee per session. Your costs are room rent and insurance, so income depends on how many sessions you fill each week. Later you could sublet to other practitioners or run groups.

• Recognized counselling or psychotherapy training
• Listening and building trust
• Managing a diary and billing
• Networking with local health professionals

• Protected titles and registration rules differ by province, so check before you advertise
• Professional liability insurance, and commercial liability if you lease your own space
• Secure storage for client files and provincial health privacy rules
• A lease is a fixed cost while your caseload builds, so consider hourly or flexible rooms first
• Check with an accountant on GST/HST treatment of your services
• In Quebec, check the Office des professions and French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your room or office, furnishings and insurance. A lease is a fixed cost while your caseload builds, so consider hourly or flexible rooms first.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on your caseload, session fees and room costs. The estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week. Check with an accountant on GST/HST treatment of your services.

Things to check include protected titles and registration rules, which differ by province, before you advertise. Also check professional liability insurance, provincial health privacy rules, and in Quebec the Office des professions and French-language requirements.