How Much Does Therapy Cost? (Hint, It's Less Than You Think!

Have you been thinking about getting started with therapy but wondering if you can afford it? If so, you’re not alone. In 2021, more than 21% of adults sought mental health treatment in the United States. Millions of people are interested in therapy, whether in office or online, and most wonder about the cost before getting started. 

In this article, we discuss the average costs of therapy for in-office visits and virtual therapy weighed against the benefits to your mental health and well-being. If you’ve been putting off therapy strictly because of costs, it may surprise you to learn that there are plenty of affordable options available. 

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Out-of-pocket cost of therapy

According to the American Psychological Association, “depression ranks among the most costly conditions in the United States.” With therapy costs ranging in the trillions of dollars for the last decade, it makes sense that people are asking about out-of-pocket therapy costs.

Surprisingly, the real cost of therapy isn’t what most people may think – even without behavioral health insurance. We’ll discuss the behavioral health benefits of therapy later in the article.

The average cost of in-office therapy ranges between $65 and $200 per session. Whether your out-of-pocket costs are on the higher or lower end of the spectrum depends on a few factors. Factors that affect the cost of in-office therapy include the following:

Geographical Location

If you live in a state where the overall costs of living are higher than the national average, you can expect therapy costs to be higher as well. This is especially true in prominent cities like New York and similar places where living costs are higher.

Education And Experience

Taking part in therapy sessions with a social worker will probably yield lower costs than having therapy sessions with a board-certified psychiatrist. Also, highly trained therapists who have been in practice for years are likely to charge higher session rates than recent graduates for a therapy session. The more education and experience your therapist has, the more you can expect to pay.

Concentration Or Specialty

Therapists who specialize in a specific treatment area may charge higher fees than other therapists. If you’re attending therapy for a complex condition, you may see a rise in your out-of-pocket costs for therapy.

Concurrent Conditions

If you see a therapist for more than one diagnosis, you might pay more for therapy as you may have to attend more sessions than someone with only one diagnosis.

Cost of therapy: Payment options

Low-cost / free therapy

Many people aren’t aware that there are low-cost therapy options available in some cases. Local public health departments and other local agencies often offer low-cost therapy to income-qualified clients. Clients who meet the income guidelines pay the reduced-cost fee or attend therapy for no cost.

Sliding scale therapy

Individuals who don’t qualify for free therapy because of income may qualify for sliding fee therapy. Sliding fee therapy is based on the client’s income. Those looking for therapy may find that there are more sliding-scale options for mental health services than free therapy options. If you find a therapist you’d like to see, you might have to ask specifically if they offer a sliding scale.

Standard fees

Clients who don’t qualify for low-cost, free, or sliding scale fee therapy based on their income are usually charged a customary rate for psychotherapy services in their state. Standard fees for therapy range from $65 to $200 per hour, depending on location, specialty, and the therapist’s credentials.

Is therapy covered by insurance? 

Some major health insurance providers have added coverage for behavioral health services under their insurance plans. They usually require clients who have behavioral health coverage for psychotherapy sessions to pay for a portion of therapy. This is their co-pay.

Much like standard fees for therapy, copays are determined by the health insurance plan benefits and the customary fees for behavioral health therapy services in your region or state. Typical therapy copays start at $10 and can go as high as $100, depending on your selected health plan benefits.

Insurance reimbursement

Insurance reimbursement options may be available for behavioral health clients who have health insurance in cases where their chosen therapists aren’t in network or don’t accept insurance.

The costs of “not” attending therapy

When you’re considering the costs of therapy and wondering if the costs are more than you are willing to pay, you might also consider the costs of “not” going to therapy. If you are experiencing a serious mental health condition affecting the quality of your life, how much is not going to therapy costing you?

People with untreated mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder may have difficulty completing everyday tasks and fulfilling responsibilities. As a result, work performance and family engagements may suffer.

Many people have lost jobs and key relationships because of living with an undiagnosed mental illness or not getting proper treatment for diagnosed conditions. While therapy costs may seem steep, the costs of not taking part in therapy can be much higher.

This can be especially true considering that there are therapy options that are affordable, free, and low-cost options are available. Getting some form of therapy can make a difference instead of getting no therapy at all and trying to go it alone.

The cost of virtual therapy

Getting therapy online is an alternative way to get treatment for affordable or low-cost therapy. Today’s online therapists hold the same credentials, professional certifications, and treatment resources as traditional in-office therapists. The cost of getting virtual therapy tends to be substantially less than the cost of in-office therapy sessions. 

Sessions with online therapists vary according to the online service you choose. The higher end of the spectrum still tends to be lower than in-office therapy, which than can cost as much as $200 per session.

With online therapy, you can talk to a licensed therapist via audio or video chat. You may also have the option to attend virtual group therapy sessions, in addition to using self-help resources to enhance the work you do during virtual therapy sessions.

Popular virtual therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Regain provide a wide variety of affordable therapy options for individuals, couples, and families. With these platforms, you can log in and get treatment for chronic mental health-related conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. The costs for treatment are the same, regardless of the condition. 

Even though distance therapy sessions allow expanded options in your provider choice, you’re still assigned a therapist who is licensed and qualified to provide evidence-based care. Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy, and you can contact your therapist in between sessions via in-app messaging for continued support.