Affordable Options for Therapy

Therapy can be pricey. But there are other options you can consider if you are having difficulty managing it into your budget. Read these options to see how you can get the best support without breaking the bank.

Budgeting for therapy can seem like a challenge, and yet it’s important to invest in your mental health. More on budgeting for therapy here. Despite all the budgeting, and you are still finding it difficult to set aside funds for therapy and finding it difficult to afford, consider these options.

Ask For Sliding Scale

If you decide you want to move forward with a therapist, but can not afford their fee, you can always ask if the therapist offers a sliding scale rate. Sliding scale is a reduced rate policy that some therapists offer in their practice. Each therapist can have a different policy and since each therapist has a different rate, you would have to do the math to figure out what you can afford for therapy each session.

Ask to Reduce Frequency of Sessions

Some therapists might be open to reducing session frequency if you cannot afford the rate weekly. Say you can only afford $300 per month in your budget. A therapist might agree to see you 2x a month if their rate is $150 per session.

Find A Therapist Under Your Insurance

If you find it too challenging to pay out of pocket, and you have insurance, consider looking for a therapist that accepts your insurance plan. You can call your insurance company and they can provide you a list of therapists that accept your insurance and from there you can contact each therapist directly.

Check For Fee Reimbursement with Your Insurance

You can also check with your insurance if they will reimburse you for therapy fees and depending on your plan, you may get a good portion of the money back. The therapist can provide you with a superbill or proof of session and you can submit it to your insurance for reimbursement. Always double check with insurance about this before you begin therapy.

College Counseling Centers

Consider looking into college counseling centers that can offer counseling services to the public at a reduced rate. Counseling centers are usually therapists in training that are closely supervised by licensed therapists. Some licensed therapists may also be available for low fee options depending on the counseling center.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

If you are employed, most jobs offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These free programs are confidential and offer a certain number of therapy sessions where you can get support, short-term therapy, and referrals to more long-term help.

Support Groups and Group Therapy

Support groups and group therapy can be another option to consider to get support at a lower cost. Consider non-profit agencies or organizations such as the Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance which offer free peer-led support groups. A quick google search may lead you to local group therapy options or virtual group therapy that can be significantly cheaper than individual sessions weekly. Depending on what you need support with, there are many specialized groups to address your issue.

Low Fee Agencies

Last but not least, low fee agencies and publicly funded state programs, can offer free to low-cost therapy depending on your need for treatment and your situation. If you struggle with substance abuse, severe mental illness, homelessness, there are many programs available to you. There are also local agencies that offer lower fees as a service to the community. You’ll have to do a little research, and some you need to qualify for, but it's worth the work.

No matter what avenue you decide to pursue to get help, there is support for you out there. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of the resources available.