How To Get Therapy Without Insurance?
Therapy for your mental or emotional health is one of the most important decisions in life. Yet, a large percentage of people forgo therapy because of the lack of insurance.
There’s no formal diagnosis needed for you to seek therapy when it comes to your mental or emotional health. But the question here is, how to get therapy without insurance?
You should never feel like you can’t seek the relevant mental health service you require simply because you have a lack of coverage. Apart from the lack of coverage, people avoid seeking therapy due to the stigma attached to mental health.
Moreover, often when people realise that they have a mental health concern and require treatment, but are aware they can’t afford it, it’s doubly shameful. This leads to them avoiding getting mental health therapy.
But today, we’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t avoid seeking therapy just because you lack coverage and share some suggestions for how you can perhaps get discounted or free mental health care.
Types of Therapy
There are many different types of therapy, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common types of therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you manage your emotions and cope with stress. DBT can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you understand your unconscious thoughts and feelings. Psychodynamic therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Humanistic Therapy: Humanistic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you achieve your full potential. Humanistic therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Family Therapy: Family therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping families communicate and resolve conflict. Family therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Art Therapy: Art therapy is a type of therapy that uses art to help you express your thoughts and feelings. Art therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
How Much Does Therapy Cost with or without Insurance?
The average cost for therapy appointments according to GoodTherapy.org is around $65 per hour to $250 per hour or more. The therapy pricing generally depends on the individual therapist expertise level, form of training and their location.
People who visit therapists in the more expensive parts of the country will eventually have to pay much more from around $100 to $200 for every session – which is extremely costly and not everyone can afford it.
These prices are for individuals seeking therapy sessions directly from private therapists and scheduling their appointments without insurance. Of course, to seek more affordable therapy, you’ll have to begin elsewhere.
| Types of therapy | Average cost with insurance/session | Average cost without insurance/session |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Sliding Scale | $100 to $200 |
| Existential Therapy | Depends on Insurance | $125 to $200 |
| Psychodynamic Therapy | Most Insurance Denies | Sliding Scale |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy | $50 to $150 | $150 to $300 |
| Client-Centered Therapy | $20 to $50 | $0 to $250 |
Typical Cost of Therapy
The price for therapy services depends on one’s geographical location, whether a client is seeking services at a private practice or public organization, and the experience and education of the therapist.
Other important factors to consider are the type of therapy services being provided and whether the therapist accepts insurance.
How Has Therapy Changed Over The Years?
The field of therapy has changed dramatically over the years. In the past, therapy was generally only sought out by people who were struggling with serious mental health issues. However, nowadays, more and more people are seeking out therapy for a variety of reasons. Some people seek therapy to deal with everyday stressors, while others use it as a way to work through major life changes or traumas.
Ways To Find Affordable/Free Therapy
Therapy costs have been rising with every passing day, and people are trying to seek affordable therapy more now than they did in the future.
Fortunately, there are various types of affordable therapy available now in which you may be able to find relief for your emotional or mental health, without having to pay more than what you can afford.
Here are some ways to find more affordable therapy.
Mental Health Clinics
If you lack health insurance coverage and can’t afford to pay much or at all when wanting to seek therapy, perhaps either low-fee or free community mental health clinics will be able to offer the care you need.
Many counties in the United States have mental health clinics offering mental health care for people at a reduced cost. These clinics have psychologists and psychotherapists.
Moreover, they’re able to expand their healthcare services through the use of student mental health counselors, student psychologists, and student social workers. All of the students help work under the supervision of licensed, experienced professionals.
Their services are generally free of cost, or at an extremely low-cost. Mental health professionals in these clinics provide a wide range of services like medication management, drug rehabilitation counseling, family and individual counseling.
Moreover, they also offer various psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
However, do be mindful that such mental health clinics tend to be extremely busy because so many people in these communities are trying to seek affordable care. Hence, it’s best to call before you visit, and understand how the waiting time works and if you make appointments.
You can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness helping or visit MentalHealth.gov to locate a clinic in your vicinity.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
There are employers who offer mental health benefits via EAPs. Since these benefits are typically paid for by then employers, access to its services are free for all employees. Either the human resource department or the employee handbook can provide you with more information.
However, do note that in most cases, there’s a certain limit on the number or amount of EAP free benefits an employee is eligible annually. Perhaps your employer might have established a discounted rate for employees who choose to continue their therapy sessions from mental healthcare professionals who work through the EAP services.
If you’re not aware whether your company offers an EAP plan, you can always refer to your human resource department so that they can guide you.
Sliding Scale Therapy
Basically, a sliding scale is a form of free structure that therapists tend to use at times to offer a lower fee for mental health therapy for people who have a financial strain. As a mere fact, the sliding-scale fee is utilized in several industries like dental care and legal service.
However, do understand that the sliding-scale therapy isn’t a “scale” or “discount” that you can change over time. The fees you pay for a sliding-scale therapy depends on your income. The lesser income you bring in every month, the cheaper your sliding-scale therapy session will be.
Your therapist will set up one generally sliding scale that is used for all the patients. If your pocket allows you to pay the entire cost of the therapy, you’re to be billed at the standard fee charged by the therapist.
However, you don’t have to worry if you’re unable to pay the therapist’s standard fees due to financial challenges as you’ll only be charged at a much reduced rate. The sliding-scale therapy is available in many clinics, forums and venues.
Sometimes, therapists might not mention upfront that they offer sliding-scale therapy, hence always ask them at the start of your session if they offer such therapies. If you’re wondering where the sliding-scale therapy near me is, you can search mental health directories such as GoodTherapy.org and Psychology Today.
Therapy Apps
The internet has progressed so much that almost every other thing is now readily available on your laptop and smartphones. There are therapy apps available in which you can speak with a therapist via text or online. Betterhelp and Talkspcae are two examples of therapy apps.
Adults, healthcare professionals, businesses, students and many other individuals find teletherapy more appealing as it’s less time consuming and much more convenient as you can do this for anywhere in the world.
Before you sign up for any online therapy, you’ve to fill a mental health questionnaire. Based on your questionnaire results, you will be matched with a particular psychotherapist who meets your needs.
The American Psychological Association (APA) shared that perhaps online therapy sessions might turn out to be as helpful as in person therapy. However, this form of mental care isn’t for every person out there seeking affordable therapy.
The APA emphasized that individuals with mental health concerns such as PTSD, schizophrenia and substance abuse tendencies should not consider online therapy as they need more thorough in person therapy sessions.
Online Listening Services
Unfortunately if there aren’t many mental care resources in your community, you should try reaching out to online listening services. Such services can help you clear your thoughts and understand your concerns before you seek further therapy.
If you’re indeed experiencing a mental health concern, never hesitate to call a care hotline and share how you’ve been feeling. YOu can always dial 211, if you aren’t sure what hotline you should call.
University/School Counselors
If you are a student or working adult who’s studying or pursuing further education, you should consider speaking to the university counselors. Moreover, if you’re a parent and you feel your child has mental health concerns, reach out to his/her school counselors.
Often, teachers are able to pick kids who might require counselling. Many of these educational institutes or staff members usually have a list of professionals that they can further refer you to for counselling.
Support Groups
Mental health consists of many things, and sometimes one-to-one therapy sessions might not be for you. A lot of times individuals feel intimidated and afraid of being judged on their mental health concerns, and refuse to speak honestly about how they feel.
This is where support group therapy sessions may be a better and more efficient choice for them. Mental health concerns such as alcohol and substance abuse disorder, postpartum depression, eating disorders, and people coping with loss or grief may find comfort in support group therapy sessions.
Basically, as compared to individual therapy sessions, support groups help you connect with other people who are going through similar concerns. Whilst individual therapists avoid giving you direct advice, in support groups you’re allowed to ask others for their opinions.
Moreover, support group therapies can be a form of healing process when people share their stories, because it gives you the strength to know that you’re not the only one facing this particular issue.
It’s important to find a support group that meets your mental care needs. Always speak to the person organizing such events before joining, so that you’re aware of the support group structure.
You can visit the Mental Health America website to see their support group resources. Costs for support groups differ from one another, but are generally the more affordable option. In fact some are even free of charge.
Crisis and suicide prevention hotlines
For a crisis or emergency situation, free hotlines, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or the Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741,can provide immediate help.
FAQS
Is it possible for therapy to be free?
Organizations that provide free or low-cost therapy services typically rely on donations and grants to support their operations. Some of these organizations may also offer sliding scale fees, which means that the cost of therapy services is based on one’s income level. There are also a number of therapy apps and websites that offer free or low-cost services.
Can I negotiate my therapy bill?
The cost of therapy can be a barrier for many people. If you are concerned about the cost of therapy, there are some things you can do to try to reduce the cost:
- -Look for sliding scale therapists: Many therapists offer reduced fees on a sliding scale based on income.
- -Look for insurance reimbursement: Some insurance companies will reimburse a portion of the cost of therapy.
- -Look for low-cost or free therapy options: There are many low-cost or free therapy options available, such as community mental health centers, university counseling centers, and religious organizations.
- -Ask about payment plans: Some therapists offer payment plans for their services.
How often should I go to therapy?
The frequency of therapy sessions varies depending on the individual and the type of problem being addressed. In general, most people see a therapist once a week for 50 minutes to an hour. Some people may need to see a therapist more or less often, depending on their needs.
Can you get free therapy?
Yes, there are many free therapy options available, such as community mental health centers, university counseling centers, and religious organizations. You can also find sliding scale therapists and insurance reimbursement for therapy services.
Can I fire my therapist?
Yes, you can fire your therapist at any time. You may want to consider firing your therapist if you feel like you are not making progress in therapy, if you are not comfortable with your therapist, or if you feel like your therapist is not a good fit for you.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand that free or low-cost mental care services in no way means that you’ll be receiving inferior care. Even if you lack the recourse to afford therapy, you absolutely deserve the best form of mental care.
Don’t limit yourself to finding a mental care therapist at the most reduced-rate, in fact find a therapist who offers the right care at a free or discounted rate. Moreover, there’s no shame in negotiating with private therapists to adjust their fees so it meets your financial resources.
Your mental health is extremely important, and we hope you know that even if you don’t have insurance, there are so many more alternatives out there for you to seek medical care therapy from.
