IFHP Therapy for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Ontario
Starting therapy in a new country can feel difficult, especially when you are already navigating uncertainty, change, or separation from the people and places you know.
A Journey Inward Therapy offers virtual psychotherapy with registered IFHP providers for eligible refugees and asylum seekers across Ontario. Whether you are looking for support with anxiety, grief, relationships, adjustment, trauma, or another concern, we can help you understand your options and connect with a therapist who feels right for you.
Therapy with support from the Interim Federal Health Program
The Interim Federal Health Program, commonly called IFHP, provides temporary health coverage to certain refugees, refugee claimants, and other eligible people in Canada. If you qualify, IFHP may cover part of the cost of psychotherapy with a registered IFHP provider. Read more about this program on this page. Our intake team can also help you understand the referral, coverage, and next steps before you begin.
Starting May 2026, eligible clients now receive partial IFHP coverage for psychotherapy. A 30% client contribution now applies. Learn more here.
SUPPORT THAT RESPECTS YOUR WHOLE EXPERIENCE
Starting over in a new country can bring relief and possibility, but it can also involve uncertainty, loss, unfamiliar systems, and changes in your relationships or sense of identity.
You may be carrying experiences from before you arrived, dealing with new pressures in Canada, or simply trying to feel more like yourself again. You do not need to be past your breaking point or know exactly how to describe what you are feeling to receive support.
Our IFHP therapists can help with:
Anxiety, fear, or persistent worry
Depression, loneliness, or a loss of hope
Grief and separation from loved ones and your support network
Stress related to an asylum claim or uncertain immigration status
Adjusting to life, work, or school in Canada
Cultural stress, discrimination, or questions about identity and belonging
Sleep difficulties, nightmares, or feeling constantly alert
Traumatic or overwhelming experiences
Feeling disconnected, emotionally numb, or unlike yourself
Therapy can offer a steady place to make sense of what you have been carrying, reconnect with your strengths, and begin building a life that feels safer and more your own.
Who may be eligible for IFHP therapy?
You may be eligible for support through the Interim Federal Health Program if you are:
Waiting for a decision on a refugee or asylum claim
A protected person in Canada
A government-assisted or privately sponsored refugee
Covered through another eligible humanitarian program or temporary public policy
Your coverage depends on your immigration status and the IFHP benefits available to your eligibility group. Contact our intake team, and we will let you know what information is needed to help confirm your IFHP coverage.
Not sure whether you qualify?
You do not have to understand the entire program before contacting us. Contact our intake team, and we will let you know what information is needed to help confirm your IFHP coverage.
Your eligibility is ultimately determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. You can also check the current eligibility information on the Government of Canada website.
How IFHP therapy coverage works
IFHP provides temporary health coverage to eligible refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons, and certain other groups. Mental-health counselling must be provided by a registered IFHP provider. Coverage starts with 4 assessment sessions, after which a referral or prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner will be required for treatment to continue.
Understanding the cost of IFHP therapy
70% covered by IFHP
30% client contribution
As of May 1, 2026, eligible IFHP clients are responsible for 30% of the approved cost of mental-health counselling, while IFHP covers the remaining 70%.
Before you begin therapy, our intake team will:
Explain what information will be needed to confirm your IFHP coverage
Explain whether a referral or other documentation is needed
Confirm that your therapist is registered with IFHP
Tell you what your portion of the session cost will be
Help you understand what happens after your approved sessions are used
You will know the expected cost before deciding whether to move forward.
If the client contribution is difficult to afford
Please let us know. Many of our IFHP therapists offer a lower sliding scale rate. We can also discuss lower-cost therapy options with our Practicum Therapists and help you explore an accessible way to receive support. Asking about cost will not affect the care or respect you receive from our team.
IFHP information last reviewed: September 2026. Review official IFHP information
Meet our IFHP registered therapists
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Sabrina Wei
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers sliding scale
*Also provides services in Mandarin and Shanghainese -
Sana Zehra
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers sliding scale
*Also provides services in Urdu & Hindi -
Louis Law
Registered Psychotherapist Offers reduced fee services *Also provides services in Cantonese
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Ting Ting Pan
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers sliding scale
Currently on maternity leave: not accepting new clients
Get started with IFHP Therapy
You do not need to understand the entire IFHP process before reaching out. Complete this short form and tell us what you know so far. Our intake team will respond, explain the next steps, and let you know what documents may be needed to confirm your coverage.
Frequently asked questions about IFHP therapy
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IFHP provides partial coverage for eligible mental-health counselling with a registered IFHP provider. As of May 1, 2026, IFHP covers 70% of the approved cost and the client is responsible for the remaining 30%.
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Many people waiting for a decision on a refugee or asylum claim are eligible for temporary IFHP coverage. Eligibility depends on your immigration status and the documents issued to you by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Our Intake team will work with you to confirm eligibility before starting therapy.
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Your IFHP coverage may be shown on an Acknowledgement of Claim, Refugee Protection Claimant Document, Refugee Protection Identity Document, or IFHP Certificate. Please do not submit these documents through our website form. Our intake team will follow up and explain what information is needed.
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Yes. A Journey Inward Therapy provides virtual IFHP therapy to eligible clients located anywhere in Ontario at the time of their appointment.
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Some of our IFHP therapists offer therapy in additional languages. Available languages depend on the therapists who are accepting clients at the time you contact us. You can include your language preference in the intake form, and we will help you explore the available options.
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IFHP places limits on covered mental-health counselling: starting in May 2026, eligible clients will receive coverage for 4 assessment sessions and 10 treatment sessions in total per year.
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Please tell our intake team. We will discuss options with you, including sliding scale rates and lower-cost therapy options through our Low-Cost Therapy program.
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You can still contact us. You do not need to understand your eligibility before reaching out. Our intake team can help clarify the next steps, although final eligibility decisions are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
If you are unsure about your coverage, what documents you need, or which therapist to choose, you can still reach out. Start with what you know, and our intake team will help you understand the next step.