Online Therapy in Saskatchewan: What to Know Before You Start

Jason Chang, CCC
5 hours ago
4 min read

Saskatchewan has one of the longest-running regulatory gaps in Canadian counselling — an application for regulation was filed in 2018 and remains unresolved. That has practical consequences for how you should go about choosing a therapist in the province.

Counselling Is Not Regulated in Saskatchewan

Counselling therapy and psychotherapy are not regulated by the Saskatchewan government. There is no provincial college overseeing counsellors, and the titles "counsellor" and "therapist" are not legally protected — meaning anyone can use them regardless of training or supervised experience.

Two related professions are regulated in Saskatchewan: psychologists, through the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, and social workers, through the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers.

Why Regulation Has Stalled

The Federation of Associations for Counselling Therapists in Saskatchewan (FACT-SK) applied to the provincial government in July 2018, requesting that counselling therapy be regulated under a proposed College of Counselling Therapists of Saskatchewan.

The province responded in September 2018 that there was no rationale at that time to consider regulating the profession. Advocacy has continued since, but no anticipated date for regulation has been established.

This makes Saskatchewan's situation different from Alberta's, where regulation has been formally assigned to the College of Alberta Psychologists and is expected around 2027, and from British Columbia's, where a well-established voluntary certification system operates through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

What This Means for Choosing a Therapist

With no government oversight and no provincial certification body specific to counselling, national credentials carry more weight in Saskatchewan than in most provinces:

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) — a nationally recognized designation from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, requiring specific education, supervised practice, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics
Registered Psychologist — regulated by the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
Registered Social Worker (RSW) — regulated by the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers

Verify any claimed designation through the relevant organization's public registry. If someone holds it, they will be listed.

Insurance Coverage in Saskatchewan

Counselling in private practice is not covered by Saskatchewan Health. Coverage comes through extended health benefits, and depends on your therapist's credential rather than the type of therapy delivered.

Because Saskatchewan has no provincial counselling designation, the CCC credential is often the specific thing insurers look for. Major insurers commonly recognizing CCCs include Green Shield, Equitable Life, ClaimSecure, Sun Life, Manulife, and Canada Life, with specifics varying by plan.

When you call your insurer, ask specifically whether services from a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) are covered — a general question about "counselling" may get an incomplete answer. Our guide to insurance coverage for counselling in Canada covers the full list of questions worth asking.

Why Virtual Therapy Matters in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's population is spread across a large geographic area, with specialized mental health services concentrated in Saskatoon and Regina. For someone in Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, North Battleford, or a rural or northern community, finding a therapist with specific training in complex trauma, dissociation, or DID locally can be genuinely difficult.

Virtual therapy removes distance as a barrier. Specialized care becomes equally accessible whether you're in downtown Saskatoon or several hours from the nearest city.

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

Yes. Research consistently shows virtual therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for most concerns, including trauma, anxiety, and relationship work. EMDR and other trauma treatments are delivered effectively online with appropriate adaptation.

What You Need for a Virtual Session

A private space where you won't be interrupted
A device with a camera and microphone — laptop, tablet, or phone
A stable internet connection
Headphones, if you'd prefer added privacy

Clarity Counselling for Saskatchewan Clients

Clarity Counselling is a fully virtual practice serving clients throughout Saskatchewan and the rest of Western Canada. Jason is a Canadian Certified Counsellor — the credential that carries the most weight in a province without its own counselling regulator — with specialized training in Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and DBT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is counselling regulated in Saskatchewan? No. Counselling therapy and psychotherapy are not regulated by the Saskatchewan government, and the titles counsellor and therapist are not legally protected. Psychologists and social workers are regulated under their own respective bodies.

Will counselling become regulated in Saskatchewan? FACT-SK applied for regulation in 2018, but the province responded that there was no rationale at that time to proceed. Advocacy continues, though no anticipated date for regulation has been set.

What credentials should a Saskatchewan therapist have? Because there is no provincial counselling regulator, national credentials matter most. Look for Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Registered Psychologist, or Registered Social Worker, and verify through the relevant public registry.

Is counselling covered by Saskatchewan Health? No. Counselling in private practice is not covered provincially. Extended health benefits determine reimbursement, based on your therapist's credential.

Can I see an online therapist anywhere in Saskatchewan? Yes. Virtual therapy means your location within the province isn't a barrier, which particularly matters for accessing specialized training unavailable in smaller communities.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy? Research consistently shows comparable outcomes for most concerns, including trauma and anxiety treatment.

Clarity Counselling