BetterHelp and Talkspace provide online therapy apps that allow users to speak with a therapist via phone or video at prices significantly less than in-person therapy sessions, some even offering financial assistance programs.
University and teaching hospitals also offer reduced-rate therapy through their counseling centers, says Nguyen, while online therapists who specialize in working with people on tight budgets have become more accessible over time.
1. Ask for a sliding scale
Many therapists provide sliding scale fees, although this fact may not always be advertised. If you are searching for such an therapist, be sure to inquire during your initial consultation. To qualify for their sliding scale fees, many will require documentation of income; it’s therefore crucial that you are honest about your finances from the outset.
Sliding scale therapy offers an affordable solution for clients by offering discounted rates based on income. For instance, a private practice therapist might charge $100 per session but provide discounted pricing of $50 to meet client needs while still meeting the higher prices of services offered. This enables therapists to serve more people while meeting those who can’t afford higher costs more effectively.
Sliding scales can be found in various settings, including community counseling agencies, non-profit mental health clinics and publicly funded mental health providers. Therapists working in these environments typically charge lower fees than private practice therapists because their funding comes from sources other than just client fees – such as state or federal grants or charitable donations.
United States residents also have access to many online therapy services offering sliding scale fees. Therapists will generally require proof of income to qualify for these rates and may set a maximum weekly amount as payment. Sliding scale therapy sessions can provide an ideal solution if you’re having trouble affording traditional sessions but want quick help right away.
Some therapists will only offer their full fee to clients with insurance; others might only accept sliding-scale payments from certain clients; but if your therapist can’t offer an appropriate solution to you, they have an ethical responsibility to refer you elsewhere if one can – this is particularly relevant if they discussed financial restrictions in your initial consultation session. Being upfront about any concerns with them increases their likelihood of listening.
2. Work with a pre-licensed professional
If you’re on a tight budget and in search of therapy services, pre-licensed professionals might be an option for you. This might be especially advantageous if a novice therapist seems like the right fit; their rates might just be outside your budget range. These therapists are often still relatively new to their field but operate under supervision so you’re assured quality service from an experienced counselor.
As they’re working toward licensure, these therapists may also need to complete state-mandated coursework on counseling topics as well as have a licensed counselor oversee and guide their progress – all while trying to obtain their own license and expand their private practice. Because of this flexibility in scheduling options and open spots in practices.
On top of offering flexible scheduling arrangements, these therapists also stay current with the latest research and techniques in therapy. Most often found in psychology graduate programs or completing internships in therapy settings, these professionals are learning from experts in their fields while taking in as much knowledge as they can.
Working with a pre-licensed therapist also comes with lower session rates than their fully licensed counterparts, making working with them an affordable solution for individuals with high deductible health insurance policies.
Be mindful that while these therapists possess extensive knowledge and are experts in their fields, they’re not yet licensed – meaning mistakes could occur that cause you harm. Therefore, it’s wiser to visit licensed therapists so you receive optimal care.
At its core, therapy requires being honest with yourself about your needs and goals. Don’t allow the stigma surrounding mental health to prevent you from seeking help when needed – don’t listen to those who suggest replacing therapy with exercise or other leisurely pursuits as these slogans devalue psychologically-valid therapy as something cheap, unnecessary, and counter-productive.
3. Find a therapist in your community
Finding an available, suitable, and affordable therapist may seem like the equivalent of apartment-hunting in an oversaturated housing market; but don’t give up hope; many options exist: simply ask around among friends who work in mental health services (such as psychologists), then check your employer – who often provide employee assistance programs offering free or low-cost services; you might be lucky!
Another option for finding providers is searching therapist databases. While some have membership fees, others accept various insurance plans or specialize in certain forms of therapy (for instance teens or couples therapy).
Consider also asking about sliding scales. While not every therapist offers them, some do set their rates according to office policies and can reduce them for those on tight budgets or without insurance – you can usually filter for these options when searching a database, according to Nguyen.
If you have insurance, try searching for providers within your network. Under the Affordable Care Act, all plans must provide mental health coverage; providers who accept the plan tend to be more accommodating than those who don’t take it; though you may still incur a deductible or co-pay; also, in-network therapists may already have other patients with similar needs as yours who book up quickly.
Make sure to visit local universities or training centers offering counseling and clinical psychology degrees, as many offer therapy trainees at discounted rates supervised by licensed professionals. Younger, more energetic individuals could make for good matches for you; church or religious organizations might have lists of referrals for low-cost or free counseling services as another possible resource. While these options provide good starting points, ultimately finding someone suitable requires persistence and flexibility but can be done.
4. Try online therapy
Online therapy services like BetterHelp, Talkspace and Cerebral may offer a viable option for those without access to traditional sessions in their area or who cannot afford therapy sessions on an ongoing basis. Through such platforms as these they connect people with therapists who accept insurance plans or offer flexible weekly or monthly plans with much lower costs than traditional sessions.
Subscribers of online therapy services typically pay a flat fee that allows them to text or chat with their therapist at any time of day or arrange video sessions, saving time and money due to no office fees or travel costs, according to Nguyen.
These online services may match you with a therapist who meets the training and credentials that meet your requirements, according to Nguyen. “But it’s still wise to do research before signing up,” advises the expert. You might get matched up with someone fresh out of school who could just have graduated or just completed training – although that shouldn’t prevent the process altogether! She adds.
If you need assistance quickly in dealing with a crisis, an online service that provides peer support or free texting with trained volunteers may be your best bet. 7Cups provides people with volunteer listeners from varying backgrounds such as first responders to military veterans. Likewise, Therapy Aid Coalition links first responders and healthcare workers to therapists who work pro bono or at discounted rates so they can help those who can’t afford traditional therapy services.
Online therapy may be more cost-effective and convenient, but may not offer all of the same advantages as in-person therapy. Therapists in person may provide referrals to other mental health specialists as well as links to local resources and community organizations that could prove invaluable in meeting people where they are at in life.
