This article covers the cost of psychotherapy, health insurance coverage for psychotherapy, affordable psychotherapy options, and how to find the right therapist for you.
Average Cost of Therapy
The price of psychotherapy is usually about $100 to $200 a session. However, cost can vary depending on the level of training of the clinician, their discipline, and where in the country you are.
If you’re interested in online therapy without insurance, your fees will range from about $50 to $130 a session. The following are some rates from popular therapy sites:
Grouport: $35 a week for group therapy sessions Open Path: Onetime $59 fee and then usually $30 to $60 per session 7 Cups: $150 a month for therapy via chat throughout the week BetterHelp: $60 to $90 per week depending on location Pride Counseling: $60 to $90 per week depending on location Talkspace: $69 for chat therapy to $99 for talk therapy
Factors That Impact Cost
Factors that affect the cost of therapy include:
LocationDuration of treatmentHealth insurance co-paysHealth insurance networksType of therapy: Individual, couples, family, group, etc. Therapist discipline, training, and specialization
Does Insurance Cover Therapy?
Health insurance plans sold via Healthcare.gov, the government’s health insurance program, are required to provide mental health coverage. The amount you pay per session will vary based on your insurance deductible.
But regardless of insurance plan, there can be limitations on mental health coverage, including:
Deductibles: Deductibles are the amount you’ll be required to pay for healthcare before insurance covers costs. Sometimes there can be separate deductibles for mental health. Your diagnosis: Certain health plans exclude some mental health diagnoses. Type of sessions: Group versus individual versus family, for example. Number of sessions per week: Coverage will vary on how many sessions you attend in a single week. Reimbursement cap: The amount of money your insurance plan will pay for therapy or the number of sessions per year may be limited.
Affordable Options
There are several ways to find a low-cost or no-cost therapist, including:
Group therapy: Group therapy could be less costly than individual sessions. Free support groups: Support groups can be found online or in person: Some websites provide free volunteer support. Mental Health America provides a free support group finder. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families provide online and in-person support. Therapy via chat: Some sites provide chat therapy as a telehealth option. Sliding scale: This is when a therapist charges based on the client’s income. University clinics: Colleges and universities with mental health programs may offer free or low-cost therapy done by graduate students. Professional organizations: The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, for example, provides a list of low-cost therapy services nationwide. Government-funded centers: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) clinic finder locates free community mental health centers. Hotlines: Hotlines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (phone number is 988) and the LGBT National Help Center hotline (888-843-4564) can help with emergencies and information. Healthcare. gov: The healthcare Marketplace provides subsidies for those who cannot afford insurance.
How to Find a Therapist
There are several ways to find the right therapist, including::
If you have insurance, check if your company has a searchable directory. Ask a healthcare provider, friend, or support group member for a referral. Search online for sliding scale therapists. Ask therapists you are interested in if they take sliding scale clients. Search professional organization sites like that of the American Psychological Association. Search the SAMHSA mental health facilities locator.
Some questions to ask a therapist might include:
What is your training and which organizations are you licensed with?What therapeutic methods do you prefer?What conditions do you have experience with?Do you provide reinforcement via email or telephone in between sessions?What would you do if my insurance denies coverage?What will I be charged in case of a missed session?Would you help me appeal to my insurance company in case of denial of services?
Summary
Psychotherapy is the process of meeting with a mental health professional to address mental health concerns that are interfering with well-being, relationships, and life goals. The cost of a session of psychotherapy can vary considerably, but averages from $100 to $200, with a co-pay ranging from $10 to $50. Online therapy services can range from about $30 per therapy session to about $130 per session.
Location, insurance coverage, length of sessions, type of therapy, and therapist discipline, specialty, and experience can all affect the cost of therapy. Insurance is usually required to provide some mental health services, according to federal law. However, there can be limitations of coverage, such as deductibles, session limits, and exclusion of certain diagnoses.
A Word From Verywell
If you feel you need help with your mental health, you’re not alone. If your resources are limited, there are options to access low-or no-cost mental health care, including through community centers and support groups or via sliding-scale therapy and group therapy. It also never hurts to ask if a therapist you prefer provides discounts for patients in need. Your mental health and well-being are worth it.
Insurance coverage limitsMany mental health professionals not accepting insurance due to barriers to network entry and poor reimbursement from insurance companiesComplicated steps for therapists who want to enter insurance networksLow reimbursement ratesReimbursement barriers for online therapy Shortage of mental health specialists
Therapists in private practice also face business expenses, from rent to insurance to marketing. In addition, student loan debt among mental health specialists can be high, averaging about $120,000 for those with a doctorate degree.
Hotlines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call 988) and the LGBT National Help Center hotline (888-843-4564) can help in emergencies and with finding information on free resources.
