How much therapy cost

Tell the therapist that this is the number you can spend per weekly session. Seek out lower-cost treatment centers. Community mental health clinics typically have lower fees and accept all insurance types, while training institutes can match you with a mental health intern who, under the supervision of an experienced professional, will provide therapy at a reduced rate or even free of charge while working towards the experience hours required for licensure.

Consult the internet. The websites for national non-profit Mental Health America and the U. Try group therapy. Search the American Group Psychotherapy Association. The good news is there are several ways to cover the cost or bring it down in the first place. Create a personalised ads profile.

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. People sometimes rule out therapy as an option because they think it will be unaffordable.

A report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI found that despite the passage of the mental health and addictions parity law in , many people continue to struggle with barriers to mental health care. Most prominent among these obstacles were coverage denials by insurance providers, difficulty getting psychiatric medications, problems finding in-network providers, and high out-of-pocket costs.

While it can be expensive, the cost of therapy depends on a range of factors. There is no predetermined industry standard, so costs may vary depending on factors such as the type of therapy, the credentials of the therapist, the type of treatment, and geographic location.

However, these costs can vary considerably depending on the provider, the location, and whether the therapy is online or in person. It can be helpful to look at what some online providers and therapists directories have to say about the costs of therapy:. You can get a better idea of what therapy might cost by visiting an online therapist directory and looking up professionals in your area.

Many list their rates through these directories or on their websites. While cost is often cited as an obstacle to treatment, research suggests that therapy is both effective and economical. A study concluded that psychotherapy is a cost-effective intervention for serious psychiatric conditions. Such treatments ultimately lead to savings in both the medical and societal costs caused by mental illness.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to provide coverage for mental health care. The ACA also requires that insurance plans cannot impose different rules on how they fund and treat mental health care.

However, there are also important things to note:. While the ACA helped make mental health care more affordable and accessible, many still struggle to find the care they need at a price they can afford to pay. Lazar in a review published in the journal Psychodynamic Psychiatry.

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that therapists were the least likely of all health professionals to accept insurance. There are also a number of factors that can influence how much therapy costs. Some of these include:. In other cases, art therapy programs are provided for free through local community organizations.

If you're wondering what the average cost of therapy is, it's important to understand the various factors involved -- all of which influence the final price of a therapist. Typically, a psychiatrist costs more than a psychologist, based on their medical background. In comparison to other titles, a psychiatrist is essentially a medical doctor who is qualified to treat the psychological and physical symptoms associated with various mental health conditions.

This includes treatment related to substance abuse disorders. In most cases, a psychiatrist will work with their patient's doctor and psychologist to implement the best possible treatment strategy.

Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can treat patients with medication -- which is particularly important when treating seriously ill individuals, suffering from conditions such as schizophrenia. However, many psychologists will offer a sliding scale fee, which is based on your specific income level.

While a psychologist is not a medical doctor, they do often have a Ph. In most cases, psychologists will work with patients while continuing to focus on their research. Most often, psychologists will specialize in a specific area, which is what influences their ongoing research.

Although psychologists do not prescribe medication, they do offer various types of evidence-based therapy options. For example, psychotherapy is an effective strategy that helps patients overcome distressing, problematic thoughts and behaviors. Individual seek counseling for many reasons, focusing on social, psychological, or personal difficulties. These low rates are most often accessible to those living in low-income households. In this case, a student counselor is typically supervised by a registered psychologist who has a minimum of five years of experience.

These fees may be covered under private health insurance plans. However, in most cases, only select mental health services are covered for a certain amount of time. There are many types of psychotherapy models available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. In some cases, psychotherapy is often short-term to address select issues i.

Some therapy is quick and fixes the emotional pain in no time, while more extensive treatment, such as journaling, art therapy, and group therapy, heals you over months. Much of it depends on what caused the issues in the first place and whether your treatment is focused on the past, the present, or both. While many think that therapy is expensive, you are paying for a professional service which focuses on life-altering treatment options.

Those suffering from mental health conditions require this level of support -- and for those who cannot afford help, there are various options available, including local support groups and government-funded programs. While therapy may not be free through your insurance plan, you could benefit from a significantly reduced rate. Session frequency varies based on individual needs and, at times, insurance coverage your insurance carrier may limit your number of visits per year if not deemed medically necessary.

Your therapist will likely recommend a session frequency based on your particular concerns and goals. The greater span between sessions, the longer it takes to tackle presenting issues. Another consideration when choosing a therapist is accessibility—some people prefer to see a therapist face to face while teletherapy may be more convenient for others… Recent research suggests CBT provided in a teletherapy setting is just as effective as in-person treatment [2] Luo C, Sanger N, Singhal N, Patrick K, Shams I, Shahid H, et al.

A comparison of electronically-delivered and face to face cognitive behavioural therapies in depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Additionally, resources like the helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA can help direct you to facilities, groups and local organizations that offer therapy based on your specific needs.

Online therapy platforms connect you with licensed providers, which can include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. Discover our top picks and the best online therapy to fit your needs and preferences here.

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards.

To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. Ashley Lauretta is a journalist based in Austin, Texas. Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. Before coming to Forbes Health, Alena worked as a digital media consultant for both B2B and B2C health-focused companies for several years, building content strategies and leaning into the world of e-commerce.

She is also a newly minted functional medicine certified health coach. Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Health mind.