London RN psychotherapist Tara Tourloukis says that some of her patients have been denied insurance coverage for her services. After spending almost two decades working in the public health system, Tourloukis decided to open a private psychotherapy practice in the fall of 2021. RN and NP psychotherapists in Ontario are authorized by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to initiate and perform this controlled act. However, their services are not always covered by insurance companies that say they are restricted by language in their contracts and the regulatory environment, among other limitations. RNAO has been meeting with insurance companies to discuss these limitations and develop strategies to ensure RN and NP psychotherapists are recognized for their specialty work. The goal is to increase access to mental health services which is critical in the aftermath of COVID-19. “I realize not everyone knows psychotherapy can be a specialty for nurses, but we put a lot of time and effort into it (courses and training). It’s really important to us to offer this skilled ability for people who are looking for mental health care,” Tourloukis says. “We will continue to do what we’re doing, and we’ll continue to advocate.” RNAO has committed to ongoing advocacy on this issue as well. The association’s Mental Health Nurses Interest Group (MHNIG) is working to establish a sub-group of RN and NP psychotherapists in an effort to push for coverage of their services. (CTV News London, April 19)