Hi There,
If you're struggling right now but still on the fence about therapy assuming that it's for people with more serious problems, symptoms, or mental health conditions than you're dealing with—I'd like to challenge you to throw out that assumption. I was under the impression that therapy was for other-people, like people who were having trouble functioning in their daily lives, missing work, not getting out of bed, or otherwise sidelined by symptoms. So, I waited until things got to that point before I finally sought out therapy, and I really wish I hadn't. One of the main issues I had in this process was cost and this can be a major barrier for so many.
But how much does therapy cost? Here’s what you can expect to pay for therapy, along with some helpful tips for bringing down your out-of-pocket costs.
How much does therapy cost?
Depending on where you live and the level of care you’re seeking, the cost of seeing a psychologist can vary. For most parts of the U.S., one session may cost about $100 to $200. If you live in a big metro area, expect to pay more, says Gray Otis, a licensed clinical mental health counselor in Utah. “If you’re in, Texas it can be anywhere from $150 to $250 or more."
The cost will also depend on the type of practitioner you’re seeing. While a psychologist can help you work through various mental health concerns, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat mental disorders and prescribe medication, so they will typically charge more. An initial visit with a psychiatrist can set you back about $300 to $500, with additional sessions around $100 to $200.
Ask about a sliding scale
Some therapists choose not to accept insurance to avoid the hassle of filing claims. “If an average counselor is charging $110 an hour, they’d be lucky to get $70 from seeing the same client but as an insurance reimbursement.
If you’re planning to pay for your sessions on your own, see if your therapist works on a sliding scale. If they do, they might reduce your fee based on your income and expenses. Another option is to propose a per-session fee to try and find an arrangement that works for both you and your therapist.
Pro-bono
Yes, lot’s of providers offer pro-bono services. They have a certain amount set aside to specify help those who may not be in the best financial shape but still need therapy so always check to see if those slots are available..
EAP
Have you heard of this acronym before? EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program,and it is something that your employer may offer as a benefit to all employees. Your employer may have contracted with another company to offer FREE THERAPY SESSIONS (!!!!) to employees. This benefit would be in addition to your regular health insurance. Most EAPs authorize several (typically 3-6) free therapy sessions at no cost to the employee. Your employer is NOT informed of if you use this benefit or not, so it will in no way affect your employment. Another perk…..EAP benefits may also be available to any of your family members to use too! So, the 3-6 sessions they may cover could be for each of your family members.
Intern Providers
I know what you’re thinking interns they haven’t finished school yet or are not that seasoned in their professions. True.. But they have to start somewhere and all interns are followed an monitored by an attending who signs off on all their therapy sessions. Now can be a great way to start therapy at a very low cost. Some sessions starting from $60.00 to $80.00.
So please know that there are so many options for you to choose for a better you through therapy.
Sonya at Geneva Pearl
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