While friends can be a terrific support system for managing daily stress, there are instances when seeking expert advice is necessary rather than venting over a glass of wine. On the other hand, if you believe that regular therapy sessions cannot be accommodated within a limited budget, you are not alone. That’s not totally accurate, though; it’s not hard at all to find therapy that fits your budget.
“There are so many ways to get help when you’re struggling with difficult situations and emotions,” says Theresa Nguyen, L.C.S.W., chief program officer and vice president of research and innovation at the nonprofit Mental Health America. “People tend to only think of expensive, private therapy,” Nguyen says.
It’s true that paying for a psychologist appointment might really blow up your finances. However, there are actually a ton of several alternatives for cheap therapy that cost as little as $25, $50, or even free. “Money should never be the sole factor keeping someone from getting help,” Nguyen says.
Here are nine resources for finding cheap therapy so you may discuss your issues with a professional rather than your buddies.
Call your insurance.
There’s good news about obtaining affordable therapy if you have insurance. Since the Mental Health Parity Act was passed in 2008, mental health services are now covered by all insurance plans, including those under the Affordable Care Act. According to Nguyen, the cost of a visit should be the same as the co-pay for other doctor appointments. The sole issue is that there are less in-network therapists than out-of-network ones, so the specialists your insurance will pay for can be fully booked with clients who are in similar circumstances to you. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to give the providers who just charge that co-pay a call to check if they have any openings.
It is still possible to hunt for out-of-network clinicians who take your insurance if you need care right now. Your insurance provider won’t cover anything until you meet your deductible; even then, you’ll likely still be responsible for paying almost half of the total. Who knows, though? That discount might be sufficient to convince your bank account to agree. There are plenty of other possibilities if not.
Check out your employee benefits.
If you need care immediately, you can still look for out-of-network providers who accept your insurance. Until you reach your deductible, your insurance company won’t pay anything; even then, you’ll probably still have to foot the bill for over half of it. But who knows? That savings could be enough to persuade your bank account to comply. If not, there are lots of other options.
Ask about cash rates.
If you’re seeking for an immediate appointment with a legitimate therapist, you’re likely looking at a practitioner who is either out of network or doesn’t accept insurance at all (this is the case for about 30% of psychologists). According to Nguyen, it’s worthwhile to draw attention to your low income and inquire about any more reasonably priced therapy options or alternate payment schedules. She notes that while many offices will give you a discount if you pay with cash, keep in mind that psychologists determine their own fees. This implies that their cash rate won’t always be the most affordable therapeutic choice available if they are in great demand.
Ask about sliding scales.
If your budget is tight, you might also want to inquire about a sliding scale for therapy. Nguyen notes that while not all therapists have one, some would charge, say, $20 per hour and make up the difference with other clients who can afford more. In most databases, this is an option that may be filtered for while looking for a therapist. If you are unable or unable to perform the research necessary to locate a provider who uses a sliding scale on your own, you might choose to join Open Path Psychotherapy Collective. A one-time subscription cost of $59 is required in order to be paired with a nearby therapist who will bill only $30 to $60 per session.
Look at college services.
Nguyen notes that if you’re in graduate or undergraduate school, your university probably has mental health services, and you’d be speaking with someone who is familiar with your life and environment. Furthermore, this is a fantastic option to receive therapy at a minimal cost—often for free.
Collaborate with a Professional who has already Received their License.
Choosing to deal with a recent graduate as opposed to a certified L.C.S.W. or Ph.D. could benefit your finances. Pre-licensed practitioners may charge less for clients and receive training under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Nguyen continues, “That doesn’t necessarily speak to the quality of their work.” “Feeling like you can have a rapport with a person is more important than their degree,” she states. Nguyen points out that while it’s undoubtedly an excellent, reasonably priced therapy alternative, you need still conduct due diligence on this individual as you would anyplace else.
Make a Warm Line Call.
“A warm line is a completely free, telephone-based way to have a chat with somebody if what you need is two or three conversations but you don’t need regular therapy sessions,” Nguyen explains. Usually managed by the local government, the lines are staffed by non-licensed therapists who have received training in the basic skills of compassionate listening in order to help with clarification. To locate a local number, use this warm line database or consult the National Alliance on Mental Illness warm line directory.
Employ a virtual counselor.
Finding economical therapy has become even easier because to technology; these days, it’s not hard to find affordable internet therapy. The benefit of using a healthcare app is that you may locate someone you like much more freely. Breaking up with a therapist in person might be frightening, but you can use the apps to try out many listeners and therapists and choose the one that offers you the support you require,” says Nguyen. Moreover, they are usually far less expensive than in-person counseling.
There is a wide range of people you can connect with and types of aid available through digital therapy apps. Some, like BetterHelp or Talkspace, pair you up with a certified counselor via text or video chat conversation for a fixed monthly fee at any time of day. Others, like Happy, are “compassionate listening” services that charge, usually by the minute, and pair you up with a trained listener.
Locate an online support community.
It’s likely that someone else is experiencing the same difficulty as you. Support groups on Facebook and mental health support group applications operate on this premise; they are essentially contemporary chat rooms for people dealing with anxiety, body image problems, postpartum depression, and pretty much any other problem you can think of. “There’s a little bit of everything for everyone, and suddenly you’re connecting with people who really empathize and become a great support system,” Nguyen adds.
If you need someone to work through a truly complex problem with you, this probably isn’t the greatest economical therapy choice. However, digital support groups can be fantastic if you have questions that you’re dying to know the answers to but don’t really need them right away. Moreover, they’re gratis!
Choose group therapy over individual sessions.
Nguyen notes that group treatment, whether private or public, is frequently free. These are usually peer support groups that are hosted in a variety of ways. For example, some health care companies host stress management group talks at your office; other times, local mental health organizations host open group talks that are themed around specific issues, like depression or sexual assault. Seek guidance from your nearby Mental Health America chapter to find local support groups.
