How Much Does Relationship Counseling Cost?

Have you been considering therapy but wondering what a fair rate is? The price of relationship counseling can vary according to a number of factors, such as location, the experience of a therapist, and whether you attend in person or online. Regardless, there are affordable options for high-quality relationship counseling.

Still, it’s possible to find a therapist who is professional, trained, trustworthy, and affordable, and some therapists may provide a discount.

An analysis of relationship counseling price factors: what should i be paying?

There are many varying prices for therapy on the market, and it may help to explore the factors that influence therapy prices before making a decision. Below are some of the most common factors that play into counseling prices:

The location of the practice

Where you live may play a huge role in how much you can expect to pay for couples counseling. For example, if you live in a small rural town where the cost of living is lower, you are likely to encounter lower therapy costs. However, if you live in a large city, such as Los Angeles or New York City, the cost of therapy may be much higher. That being said, it is possible to find affordable counseling in cities such as these.  

If you opt to visit a psychiatrist instead, the location of the practice can also affect the cost. However, you may have insurance coverage for psychiatric services, as well as for other licensed clinicians. If so, you can likely save by choosing a psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health professional, within your insurance network.

The reputation or training of your relationship counselor

As with any profession, therapists in the early stages of their careers who recently launched or joined a practice may charge less. Even though they have the training and credentials to practice therapy, they may not have the experience or the clientele base that would allow them to charge more since they have not yet built a reputation for themselves. 

On the other side of the spectrum, couples counselors who have obtained higher degrees and have proven themselves to be effective counselors can sometimes charge more because they can provide evidence of their success.

Packages offered vs. per-session rates

The cost of your relationship counselor may also depend entirely on how they choose to price their services. For example, some counselors charge per session, while others may decide to offer their services in bundles. When you are allowed to purchase packages of a specific number of sessions at a time, you may receive discounts for your counseling that month, which can be considerably more cost-effective than having to pay per session.

Are sliding scale rates a possibility?

For counselors who have a high-paying clientele base, sliding scale rates may be a possibility. Sliding scale rates are reduced prices offered to potential clients who may not afford the typical prices set by the counselor. Not every counselor has a sliding scale rate, but it is a factor in pricing for some. Sliding scales are usually offered on an as-needed basis.

Costs associated with running a practice

It would help if you also considered that prices between counselors vary widely due to the various costs to run a practice. For example, a counselor often has to pay fees to state or national organizations, repay their student loans, purchase online and offline marketing, and pay rent at their office. Overall, the cost of running a therapy business can be expensive, and counselors have to price their services carefully to keep everything balanced.

Ways to reduce relationship counseling prices

There are plenty of ways to reduce relationship counseling prices. Let's take a look at a few strategies below:

Don't be afraid to ask for reduced rates or inquire about discounts

Counselors generally don’t want to turn people away, and they may be able to still take you on even if you can't afford their usual rates. As stated above, sliding scale rates or other price reductions may be a possibility for you if the counselor offers them. There is also the possibility of discounts being offered if you purchase a package of services instead of paying per session. You may need to ask about these potential prices up front before you begin therapy with a counselor.

Check to see if your insurance covers couples therapy

For the most part, insurance plans don’t usually cover couples therapy. However, that does not mean that there aren't plans out there that provide such coverage. You should ask someone at your current insurance company if they will reimburse you for your couple's counseling or if they will pay your counselor directly. If they won't, you can always see if there are other plans available or ways to work around certain limitations to make payment possible.

Work with a low-cost or in-training therapist

If money is a major concern and you cannot afford many of the relationship counselors in your area, you still have the option of working with a low-cost therapist or with one who is still in training. These therapists may charge you less because of their knowledge of your situation or because they are just starting their careers. 

Find ways to supplement your therapy at home

One possible way to reduce your total counseling costs is to find ways to work on your relationship at home. This can be achieved by using external resources and heavily utilizing what you have learned at therapy. You can then cut down your visits to a certain number of times throughout the month as a way to check up on your progress. However, this may only work for couples who are highly motivated. 

Sign up for online therapy

Online couples therapy has been a growing industry, and research shows it is just as effective as in-person therapy. Online companies like Regain offer live sessions with counselors via phone, video chat, or in-app messaging. There are no contracts or an assigned number of sessions. Instead, couples pay for the sessions they need, according to their availability and budget. 

Couples can sign up for a Regain subscription for online couples counseling for $65 to $90 per week. However, if they experience financial difficulty, all they have to do is cancel the subscription and then re-subscribe if and when they need counseling.

With Regain, you and your partner can talk to a therapist from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere with an internet connection. You can even engage in therapy from different locations if you travel for work.