BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

What to expect at NuVista Mental Health.

Wondering what the process looks like from booking to your first visit and beyond? This page walks you through referrals, paperwork, session length, rates, and how to get in touch, so you can arrive feeling informed and at ease.

OVERVIEW

What To Expect

To book an appointment, simply click the “Book Appointment” button. From there, you can choose the nearest location, select a therapist, and schedule your first appointment or consultation call at a convenient date and time. Alternatively, you can select “Contact Us” to ask questions or request an appointment.

When booking, our administrative team will match you with a clinician based on your needs. We take confidentiality seriously, and any information shared during the booking process is kept private.

ACCESS

Referrals

We welcome both self‑referrals and referrals from physicians, hospital programs, governmental agencies, and other healthcare professionals such as massage therapists, chiropractors, and psychiatrists.

We also accept referrals and funding from agencies such as WSIB and VAC for counselling and assessment services where applicable. If you’re unsure whether a referral is required or whether your benefits will cover services, our admin team can help you navigate those details.

FIRST VISIT

Before you arrive

Before your first session, you will receive an intake and consent form by email to complete online. This is mandatory for all new clients and helps your clinician understand your history, current concerns, and goals for therapy.

If your appointment is in person, please arrive a few minutes early so you have the full duration of your session available. For virtual sessions, an email invite and consent to video call will be sent at least one hour before your scheduled time.

If you are using extended health benefits or another third-party payer, we recommend checking your coverage directly with your insurer. We offer direct billing for some insurance providers, but not all plans are eligible. In some cases, you will need to pay for your appointment and then submit your receipt for reimbursement.

SESSIONS

Length & quantity

Counselling sessions typically last 30, 50, or 80 minutes depending on the service and clinician. Assessment appointments may run longer and can involve multiple visits.

The number of sessions varies based on your goals, the type of concern, and the approach you and your clinician decide on together. Your therapist will review recommendations with you after your first session and adjust the plan as needed over time.

FEES

Rates and payment

Service rates vary by clinician, service type, and location, and may differ between provinces. Many extended health plans provide coverage for psychological or counselling services; however, coverage amounts and requirements differ by insurer.

For specific fee information, please contact our administrative team at your preferred NuVista clinic. They can provide current rates and help you determine what portion of your care may be reimbursed by your benefits plan.

Still have questions about getting started?

Visit our FAQs page for more details on insurance, cancellations, paperwork, and other practical questions about care at NuVista.

Getting in touch

If you believe that counseling is the right step for you, the first thing to do is schedule an appointment. NuVista Mental Health, along with our group of companies, operates across 11 locations in three provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario, with ongoing expansion efforts. At each clinic, we adopt a holistic approach to mental health, offering various therapeutic interventions, assessments, programs, neurofeedback, workshops, groups, and counseling services.

To book an appointment with one of our clinicians, we welcome self-referrals as well as referrals from physicians, hospitals, and other health services. Visit our locations page to contact our team at your preferred location.

Have a Question? We’ve Got You

We would be happy to hear from you with any questions you may have, or to enquire about booking sessions with one of our qualified clinicians.