For many Canadian mental-health therapists, one-on-one sessions are the heart of their work. But when demand grows, or when you want to help more people without adding hours, group programs offer scalable impact.
More clients and funders now champion scalable care. In 2023, the federal government committed $100 million to its Mental Health Fund to expand community-based services across Canada. At the same time, nearly one in three Canadian workers engaged in job-related training last year, showing a clear appetite for structured group learning.
Here’s how to launch workshops or courses and keep every client feeling heard.
1. Choose a format that matches your style
- Live cohorts (8-12 participants)
This mirrors CAMH’s recommendation for group size and supports open conversation without overwhelming quieter participants. It also helps keep the experience high-touch and clinically sound.
- Hybrid workshops
These begin with a live kickoff, followed by pre-recorded modules and moderated discussion forums. Clients can move through the material at their own pace while still connecting with you and others at key points.
- Self-paced courses + office hours
Great for scale, this format uses pre-recorded content alongside weekly or monthly drop-in sessions. It’s ideal for psychoeducational content or non-clinical topics like stress management or boundary-setting.
2. Price your group program fairly
- Flat-rate per seat
CAMH Calgary, for example, charges a flat $250 for certain sessions, regardless of length. This type of transparent pricing works well for workplace wellness or educational offerings where time flexibility is expected.
- Tiered packages
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) recommends value-based pricing. For example, you might offer a basic level (videos only), a mid-tier (videos plus group Q&A), and a premium tier with limited one-on-one consults.
- Sliding-scale spots
Set aside 10 to 15% of spots for sliding-scale participants, similar to how some clinics offer flexible pricing. This helps you stay accessible without needing to publish your full sliding-scale criteria.
3. Set up bookkeeping for group programs
Group programs come with new cost structures. Track them separately in your accounting software to stay audit-ready.
- Use a platform like Xero to tag facilitator hours, digital subscriptions, and ad spend.
- Create a break-even calculator: Add up your fixed costs (Zoom licenses, venue fees), divide by your minimum enrolment, and layer in your hourly rate to find a sustainable price point.
- Consider using cost codes or tracking categories to see which offerings are profitable. Link these reports to our Financial Checkup service for deeper insights.
4. Keep the experience personal even at scale
- Set participant caps
Limit therapy-based groups to 12–15 participants. You can stretch that to 20–25 for workplace seminars or skills-based training.
- Use engagement tools
Live sessions can include breakout rooms, moderated chat, or anonymous polls to help clients participate in ways that feel safe and comfortable.
- Plan structured touchpoints
Automation can help: send calendar invites, email reminders, and mid-point surveys to maintain connection even if your schedule is full. One mid-program check-in call can make a real difference in reducing dropout rates.
5. Stay compliant and measure quality
Ethical safeguards are still important in group programs.
- Share informed-consent and confidentiality forms aligned with your provincial college
- Collect feedback before and after each program to refine content and delivery
- PwC research shows learners stay engaged when training links to real-world gains, such as improved income or reduced burnout. Remind participants of expected outcomes early and often
6. Find funding and growth partners
You don’t have to do it all alone. Apply for available grants and funding opportunities to pilot programs for underserved communities. Train your admin team on digital delivery and client care tools with professional development resources to streamline digital delivery and enhance service quality.
Scaling doesn’t mean becoming impersonal. With thoughtful design, group programs can feel just as supportive as one-on-one care. The key is structure around pricing, logistics, and client care.
Ready to crunch the numbers? If you’re thinking about launching or growing a group program, we can help you run the numbers and forecast costs.
Take a self-assessment and get a Financial Wellness Blueprint to see how group work fits into your broader financial goals.
