How much does therapy cost?

If you’ve ever needed a safe space or a non-judgmental support system to work through your emotional challenges or mental health concerns, you’re not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 59 million adults received mental health treatment in 2023.

But if you chose to forego treatment for a mental illness or other mental health condition due to cost, you wouldn’t be alone in that, either. SAMHSA found that more than 4.6 million adults who believed they needed mental health support didn’t receive treatment because they thought it would cost too much. And about 2.8 million didn’t receive care because they believed that their health insurance would not pay enough of the costs.

So, is therapy actually as unaffordable as many people think? And how does therapy work when you involve your insurance company?

In this therapy pricing guide, we’re going to cover:

• How much therapy costs with and without insurance coverage
• Options to explore if you need to see a mental health professional but don’t have insurance
• The wide range of mental health benefits that therapy can offer individuals in need of support.

Your mental and emotional well-being should always be a priority, and there are ways to keep the price of treatment down.

Overview of therapy costs

Because there are so many different variables that can impact the cost of therapy, pinpointing specific mental health treatment prices that reflect a true average can be tricky. Another way is to review recent studies and surveys about the cost of psychotherapy to get a general understanding of how much you might expect to pay.

First, it can be helpful to understand providers’ rates for individual therapy sessions. According to Psychology Today, most clinicians charge between $100 and $200 per session. Another source, Healthline, found that in-person therapy sessions range from $100 to $250 per session, and $85-$135 for online sessions.

However, just because a therapist charges a certain rate doesn’t mean that’s the amount people are willing to pay. This is because many people are able to cover a big chunk of the cost through insurance.

A 2020 study explored the prices of in-network vs. out-of-network behavioral health care costs. Reviewing insurance claims between 2007 and 2017, the study found that the per-visit price for individuals with insurance who received treatment in-network was $21, while visits with out-of-network providers cost $60.

Factors that can affect therapy prices

Ultimately, a therapy session cost or the price for receiving weekly therapy services can be influenced by many factors, including:

• Geographical area: Therapy may be more expensive in areas with a higher cost of living. Conversely, traveling to therapy can be more expensive for those living in rural areas. Teletherapy may be an option to reduce costs.
• Local demand: In areas with higher demand for mental health services, prices may be higher due to the competition among clients for therapists’ availability.
• Education and experience: Therapists with advanced degrees, specialized certifications, and more years of experience may charge higher fees.
• Specializations: Therapists with specialized training in a certain type of therapy (e.g., trauma, couples therapy, addiction) may charge more for their services.
• Modality: Different therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, psychoanalysis, EMDR) may have different costs. Some modalities require more intensive training, which can increase costs.
• Group vs. individual therapy: Group therapy sessions can be less expensive than individual sessions because the cost is shared among multiple clients.
• Session length and frequency: Clients who need longer than average sessions (e.g., 90-minute sessions) or a higher volume of sessions can expect to pay more.
• Long-term vs. short-term therapy: Long-term therapeutic relationships may result in different pricing structures compared to short-term, solution-focused therapy.
• Insurance coverage: Therapists who accept insurance may have different rates than those who operate on a private pay basis. However, some private practice therapists may charge higher fees for out-of-pocket clients.

Therapy costs with insurance

Health insurance can go a long way toward making mental health more affordable and accessible for individuals, which is part of the reason many therapists accept insurance. Wayne Klee, a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), says “Therapy is a journey towards healing and growth, and by accepting insurance, I strive to lower or remove barriers that may hinder clients from embarking on this transformative process,” Klee continued, “No one should feel discouraged from seeking therapy due to financial concerns when insurance coverage puts quality mental health care within reach.”

Recent changes to insurance coverage for therapy

Thankfully, there have been promising developments in insurance coverage for therapy over the past few decades.

For example, the mental health parity law that passed in 2008 requires health insurance providers to cover services for mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders in the same way or better than how they’d cover physical health. However, some plans are exempt. If your plan has limited physical health coverage, it may also have limited mental health coverage.

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 grants numerous rights and protections that make health coverage fairer and easier to understand, while providing increased access to more low-cost physical and mental health care options. Older adults and individuals with lower incomes may also gain coverage through Medicare and Medicaid.

With insurance, out-of-pocket therapy costs per session can be as low as $0 – $30. The average cost for Grow Therapy clients who use insurance ranges from $0 to $50.

If you’re paying up front for an out-of-network provider, reimbursement amounts will be dependent on your specific plan. Different insurance plans offer different benefits, so it is important to understand a few key terms as you navigate choosing insurance or determining what your insurance covers.

Important insurance terminology

HMO: A type of health insurance plan that provides health care services through a network of designated providers. Members typically need to choose a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates their care. Patients also need referrals to see specialists within the network. HMOs can have lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs but offer less flexibility in choosing health care providers.

PPO: A type of health insurance plan that offers greater flexibility in choosing health care providers, allowing members to see both in-network and out-of-network doctors without a referral. Members generally pay lower costs when using in-network providers but can still access out-of-network care at a higher out-of-pocket cost. PPOs usually have higher premiums than HMOs but offer more choice in selecting healthcare services.

EPO: A type of health insurance plan that requires members to use a network of specific doctors, hospitals, and specialists (except in emergencies) to receive coverage. Unlike a PPO, EPOs do not cover out-of-network care, meaning members must stay within the network for all non-emergency services. EPOs often have lower premiums than PPOs but offer less flexibility in choosing health care providers.

Premium: The amount of money you pay, typically on a monthly basis, to maintain your health insurance coverage. This payment is required regardless of whether you use medical services or not. Premiums are separate from other costs like deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance, which you pay when you receive care.

In-network: Health care providers (like doctors, therapists, or counselors) who have agreements with your health insurance plan to provide services at lower rates. This means when you visit an in-network mental health professional, your insurance covers more of the cost, resulting in lower copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for you. This can make ongoing therapy more affordable and accessible.

Out-of-network: Health care providers who do not have contracts with your insurer. Choosing to see an out-of-network therapist might lead to higher out-of-pocket costs, as your insurance may cover a smaller portion of the charges, or none at all. Also, the amounts you pay for out-of-network services might not count towards your usual deductible, or they could be subject to a separate, higher deductible.

Deductible: The amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for certain health care services before your insurance plan starts to contribute. Deductibles are usually required each year and apply during what’s called a “coverage period.” They will also usually reset annually, typically with the calendar year (e.g., January 1), but not always, depending on the plan. To verify when your deductible resets, please check your health plan documentation. In some cases, plans will waive deductibles for certain services (including therapy). When this happens, patients pay their copay (even if they have not hit their deductible).

Co-pay: A fixed amount you pay for a health care service at the time you receive it. Co-pays are separate from your deductible or coinsurance, so even if you have met your deductible, you would still pay your copay for your therapy session or prescription, as specified by your plan.

Co-insurance: The portion of the bill for a health care service that you pay after meeting your deductible. It’s usually a percentage of the total cost of the service. For instance, if your coinsurance rate is 20%, and the service costs $100, you will pay $20 while your insurance covers the remaining $80.

This payment kicks in only after you’ve paid your deductible amount for the year. So, if you haven’t met your deductible yet, you would need to pay the full cost of the service yourself first. Once your deductible is paid, your coinsurance starts, reducing how much you pay directly for subsequent services.

HSA: Health savings account. A tax-advantaged savings account designed for individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to save and pay for qualified medical expenses. Contributions to an HSA are tax deductible, and the funds can be used tax-free for eligible healthcare costs. Unused funds roll over year to year.

FSA: Flexible spending account. A tax-advantaged account that allows employees to set aside pre-tax money to pay for eligible health expenses within a plan year. Unlike an HSA, funds in an FSA generally must be used by the end of the year or a specified grace period, or they are forfeited.

To better understand your insurance benefits, you can refer to your summary of benefits which will break down the costs for mental health treatment. You can also usually access an online patient portal through your insurance provider for more information on a variety of subjects, such as whether you will need pre-approval for specific mental health treatments.

 

 

Therapy costs without insurance

Paying out-of-pocket without insurance can quickly add up. Costs for an individual therapy session can range between $100 to over $200 per session, with some treatments being even more expensive. And about 50% of patients need 15 to 20 sessions to recover from psychological problems, according to the American Psychological Association. Paying $4,000 for therapy is a significant financial burden for many individuals.

If you don’t have health insurance, consider looking for therapists who offer sliding-scale fees. Mental health professionals who offer sliding-scale therapy fees charge individuals based on their income.

Ensuring that the cost of a therapy takes into account an individual’s financial situation can help make individual therapy more affordable for people with lower incomes. It’s important to note that some therapists don’t advertise that they offer a sliding scale fee, so it’s always a good idea to ask — even if it’s not on their website or profile.

Ways to make therapy more affordable

If you’re looking for affordable therapy options, the good news is that they are out there.

One of the first avenues to consider is online therapy. While some people may prefer in-person therapy, online therapy provides the benefits you would get from traditional treatment with the convenience of accessing mental health services from anywhere you choose.

Thankfully, organizations like Grow Therapy can help individuals find mental health professionals who are experienced in the telehealth modality.

Affordable mental health support options

• Community mental health clinics

Community mental health clinics funded by local or state governments may provide access to therapy, psychiatric care, and support services. In addition to individual therapy, clinics may offer group therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and case management. Some may offer sliding scale fees. 

• Non-profits

National non-profit organizations like Open Path Collective, and local community groups can provide free or low-cost counseling, support groups, and educational resources. Addressing issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and grief, these counseling groups may be free to attend and provide peer support in a structured environment.

• Crisis hotlines

In emergency situations, crisis hotlines like the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (text or dial 988) or Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741 offer free, immediate support from trained counselors, via phone or text, 24/7.

• Well-being apps

Several apps provide free peer support, guided exercises, and coping tools. While these apps cannot replace traditional therapy, they can be valuable supplementary resources.

• University and training institutes

Universities with psychology, counseling, or social work programs may offer low-cost therapy services provided by graduate students who are supervised by licensed professionals. These clinics may charge significantly lower rates than private practice therapists.

• Employee Assistance Programs 

Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) as part of their benefits package. EAPs can include free, confidential short-term counseling services. They can also include referrals to other mental health resources, work-life balance support, and assistance with personal issues such as stress, substance misuse, and relationship problems.

How therapy can be worth the investment

Nobody can deny that mental health services typically come with some sort of cost. But forgoing mental health treatment can also be a burden that individuals need to consider.

Without proper treatment, mental health conditions can worsen and lead to more severe symptoms that impact quality of life. And those conditions don’t just have implications for health. A 2022 study that examined the effects of untreated mental illness on different racial and ethnic groups found that many individuals experienced issues with poverty, unemployment, and even incarceration.

• Black and Latinx people with untreated severe mental illness experienced higher odds of also reporting fair to poor physical health.
• Black people with untreated mild, moderate, or severe mental illness had higher odds of living in poverty, being unemployed, and being arrested in the past year.
• Native Americans/Alaska Native persons with untreated mild or moderate mental illness also experienced higher odds of living in poverty and being arrested in the past year.
• Latinx persons with untreated mild, moderate, or severe mental illness, had greater odds of living in poverty.

Whether you have a serious mental illness or you just need help navigating a difficult moment in your life, therapy and other forms of mental health treatment can help set you on a path toward a better future.

Don’t allow assumptions about the price of therapy to stop you from seeking the care you need. Invest in your mental health today and start your therapy journey with Grow Therapy.