How Much Does Therapy Cost You On Average In 2023?
Paying for an online psychologist, therapy sessions, or mental health services can present a significant challenge for a variety of people. There are numerous things you can do to find effective therapy or other mental health care services, though it can feel challenging to know which mental health service to choose and how to envision the long-term process when it comes to cost.
Mental health care and mental health disorders can be complex, showcasing the need for complex solutions. Providers can work online or in person to offer support. Depending on your insurance plans and budget, online therapy can be a more budget-friendly choice for mental health care.
How Much Does Therapy Cost The Average Person?
Finding a precise answer to "How much does therapy cost?" can be challenging. The average cost of a therapy appointment may depend on what type of therapy you receive, such as family or couples counseling, and whether your insurance even covers mental health therapy/treatment and therapist visits.
Consider the type of treatment you seek, the modalities therapists offer in your area, health insurance coverage plan coverages, and other benefits, such as employee assistance for mental health coverage or whether you qualify for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
How Much Does Insurance Affect The Cost Of Mental Health Services
Different Types Of Therapy And Cost Of Therapy With Insurance
The type of talk therapy that suits you might vary depending on what you look to achieve with your sessions. The type of counseling might also affect the price per session. All counselors should be licensed and have liability insurance plans. As part of their licensing requirements, counselors may also have thousands of supervised clinical hours in the field. You can consider a few types of therapists, including the following.
- Group: Group therapists offer therapy to and oversee a group of clients to teach a therapeutic modality, offer support, or discuss common symptoms. The therapist should serve as a leader and facilitates a medically reviewed discussion. The group then talks through their challenges with one another while the counselor monitors the conversation. Group therapy or counseling can be beneficial, as it allows individuals to socialize and find connections with others, potentially reducing loneliness. Group therapy can be held in an office space or online.
- Support groups: Support groups offer those with many similar life challenges the opportunity to provide insight to individuals who are going through what they experienced. Support groups differ from a group psychotherapy setting in that support groups may not be led by a licensed counselor and could allow group participants to offer support or advocacy for one another. Support groups can allow individuals to work together to create a non-judgmental environment for health support.
- Couples: Couples therapy may help those in a relationship resolve interpersonal conflicts and improve relationships. These therapy sessions often occur with both parties present. However, they can also be one-on-one sessions or a combination of both. Each therapy session might have a different rate. Unique therapy types, such as pre-marital counseling, may have different pricing than long-term couples counseling.
- Marriage: Marriage counseling can help couples navigate and work through the ever changing dynamics of a relationship. Marriage counseling can help equip couples with the appropriate tools and communication skills to improve their marriage.
- Individual: Individual therapists, counselors, and social workers usually support clients in understanding behavior, the influence of their environment, and how they interact with their surroundings. This study of behavior might help you identify why you are experiencing specific thoughts or behaviors.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
How Much Do Different Types Of Therapy Cost On Average?
| Therapy type (can affect pricing) | How much the average therapy session with no health insurance |
| In-person psychotherapist | $100 |
| Psychiatrist | $100-$200 |
| Couples therapy | $70-$250 |
| BetterHelp | $65 to $90 per week (session price dependent on location, billed every four weeks) |
Affordability: What To Consider With The Cost Of Therapy
Depending on the type of therapy, the average price can vary based on a number of factors that go into providers determining their rate. Support groups are many times free, whereas therapy groups with counselors may require a fee. Many times, group therapy is a more affordable therapy than individual therapy, as the therapist can divide the price between multiple clients. Treatment programs like rehabilitation or long-term retreats may be more than regular group therapy.
Some therapy programs determine payments by the length of the session, and these programs can differ in rates. Depending on the therapist and what therapists charge in your area, a 60-minute session may cost the same or more than a 45-minute session. Inquire about the rates and options at every clinic, practice, or online venue you seek out.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Therapy & Mental Health Treatment
Types of Mental Health Professionals: What Are Your Options?
The cost of therapy required from you may vary depending on the type of therapy you choose and the specialty and continuing education of the therapist you are seeing. Another factor to consider is the number of sessions you hope to schedule throughout the year. If you are looking for medication management within your mental health treatment plan, this service could also impact the cost of the session. Note that psychiatrists are the only mental health professional that can offer medication prescription or management.
Sliding Scale Options: How Is This Different From Insurance?
Some clients may look for providers that offer free or low-income-based therapy options. Check with the provider or local community mental health clinics to learn more about your options.
Flexible Scheduling Options For Your Therapy Appointments
If money is an issue, flexible scheduling could allow you to get the support you seek from a potential therapist. For example, a qualified therapist may agree to see you once every other week instead of every week. They might offer half-sessions, so you can connect for a short time, or give the option of several sessions for a set fee.
Where You Live
A licensed therapist's availability of mental healthcare may depend on where you reside. Community mental health services can vary as well as their cost. For example, you may find that counselors in the Midwest charge less for their services than those on the East or West Coast. Depending on where you live, online mental health counseling can be an affordable therapy alternative option.
Resources: Alternatives To Seeing An In-Person Therapist
Perhaps you feel unsure about attending therapy in person or which resources to use to locate a provider. Trying to find a therapist can feel stressful. However, there are alternative options to traditional in-person psychotherapy. If you are wondering how much therapy costs, consider looking into virtual therapy. Virtual therapy can be a valuable option for those looking to preserve their budget.
Online therapy services have been proven as effective in treating many mental health concerns or conditions as in-person psychotherapy, and there may be positive benefits to receiving virtual support. Due to reductions in overhead costs, online treatment rates are often more expensive than the average cost for in-person therapy. BetterHelp is $65 to $90 per week. The rate may be higher based on:
- individual preferences
- location
- therapist/therapy availability
If for some reason you do not have the financial means for mental health care, you can also apply for financial aid to help pay for therapy session rates.
Learning the cost of therapy and how to fit it into your budget can be crucial, whether you’re living with a mental illness or looking for support in improving your problem-solving skills. If these costs seem high to you, talk to patient services at your insurance provider. You also might be able to count treatment towards your deductibles or get help with out-of-pocket costs to cover mental healthcare.
Takeaway
Therapy can address mental health conditions, stress, life changes, worries, and other challenges. However, some forms of treatment can be expensive and come with a high price tag. Virtual therapy with an online platform may allow an affordable and convenient way to integrate therapy into your life.
FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions related to "How much does therapy or therapists cost? Is there free therapy?"
Is Therapy An Expensive Service? How Can Insurance Cover The Cost?
- how often you'd like to meet with your therapist
- your health care insurance company and what is covered
- your location and the location of your therapist
- individual preferences (rates can be higher for more specialized therapists)
Online therapy services in the mental health industry have platforms like BetterHelp that can cost $65 to $90 per week (pricing dependent on location, billed every four weeks).
With insurance, your cost for in-person counseling may be less than without. You might have co-pays or not have to expect to pay anything at all. However, many insurance companies and their plans offer fewer support options and may require seeing a specific provider selected for you. Free therapy might be an option under your insurance.
The following are questions you might have relating to online therapy:
- How much does online therapy cost compared to in-person therapy? Due to reductions in overhead cost, such as rent for an office space, online treatment rates often may be less expensive than the average cost for in-person therapy.
- How much is BetterHelp? Costs with an online platform like BetterHelp are $65 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) but the rate may be higher based on individual preferences, location, and therapy availability.
What Is A Therapy Session And Can I Afford It?
A therapy session is a safe space where a client meets with a therapist or counselor to resolve unwanted behaviors, work through adverse experiences, understand relationship conflicts, and manage one's emotions, feelings, and beliefs. In a session, you might work through symptoms causing difficulties in your life through a specific therapeutic modality. Depending on your insurance coverage, it can help bring down your average cost of therapy. Not all therapist's accept insurance but they may offer a sliding scale payment plan.
What are some types of therapy sessions?
1) Talk therapy refers to psychotherapy sessionsoffered by a licensed counselor, clinical social worker, or therapist. It can involve talking to a therapist in an individual, group, or couples setting about life challenges, mental health, and personal growth. A few forms of talk therapy include the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Person-centered therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
2) Sex therapy is a type of psychotherapy focused on addressing sexual challenges, whether personally or within a relationship. Common topics discussed can include:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexual desire
- Reigniting sexual attraction in a relationship
- Sexuality and identity
- Traumatic experiences
- Body positivity (affects of social media) and confidence
3) Art therapy is an alternative therapeutic modality focused on helping clients achieve treatment goals through creating art, learning the creative process, and applying psychological theory. The benefits of art therapy may include:
- Reduced stress
- An increased ability to cope with challenges that many have difficulty putting into words
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- The release of challenging emotions
- A deeper understanding of one’s thoughts
- A visual representation of one’s challenges
4) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often referred to as the “gold standard” of talk therapy. For example, if you are experiencing mental illness (like depression and anxiety) this modality combines cognitive techniques like cognitive restructuring with behavioral therapy to change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Standard techniques in CBT include:
- Exposure and desensitization
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Roleplaying
- Activities and worksheets
- Imagery and visualization
What Costs Does Insurance Cover?
The price of therapy using insurance can depend on your:
- insurance provider policy and if your therapist accepts it
- deductibles
- therapist rates
- the years of experience a mental health provider has
- location
Below are a few of some psychotherapy codes that your psychologist or therapist might use when dealing with insurance in the US. Contact your insurance provider to further understand CPT codes and what kinds of therapy services are covered.
| CPT Code | Psychotherapy Codes Descriptors |
| 90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient |
| 90849 | Multiple-family group psychotherapy |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group) |
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy (without the patient present), 50 minutes |
Do Free Counseling Options Exist And What Are They?
Therapy is a professional service offered by experts who have spent years receiving education and clinical supervision to provide clients with ethical, empathetic, and relevant care. Because of therapists' education and experience, their rates can range from $100 to $200 on average for a single session. However, low-cost options, crisis support, and temporary volunteer therapists may be available to those who cannot afford this cost. The variety of services can depend on what therapists choose to offer.
When seeking free and low cost options, consider searching for volunteer non-profit clinics in your area. You can call 211 to receive up-to-date recommendations on these resources. If you’re in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Lifelineanytime for free short-term crisis peer support. For long-term support, consider looking into sliding scale therapists, online therapy, support groups, or local low-cost clinics.
- How Much Is Couples Counseling? https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/how-much-does-couple-counseling-cost/
- How Much Is TMS Therapy? https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/how-much-does-tms-therapy-cost/
- How Much Does BetterHelp Cost?https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/how-much-does-betterhelp-cost/
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