What to Do If You Can't Afford Therapy Anymore

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Mental health care iscost-prohibitivefor many. According toVerywell Mind’s 2022 Cost of Therapy Survey,40% of folks require financial support to afford theirtherapysessions. This statistic highlights the current state of mental health and the barriers to receiving care.

The survey also found the average cost of a therapy session to be $178 per session.Considering the median household income as of 2023 in the United States is $80,610, receiving weekly therapy at that rate is a stretch for many.

While many require financial support to receive therapy, what about those who simply can’t afford it? This article is for those who are facing the challenge of being unable toafford therapy. It will cover options for accessing care at a lower fee and the resources that service this need. Read on to learn more.

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Therapy Anymore

First of all, if you have reached a point where you can no longer afford psychotherapy, there is no shame in that. Therapy is expensive, and with the cost of living rising almost exponentially in the US, it is to be expected that many people don’t have income that they can put towards their mental health care.

While this is an unfortunate scenario, you do have options for receiving care.

Talk to Your Therapist About Your Finances

So,being open and honestabout your financial situation leaves room for them to help you. For example, your therapist may:

The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and Tested

Consider Attending Group Therapy

Group therapyoffers the opportunity for you to receive therapy and build community with people who are experiencing the same challenges that you are, typically at a reduced rate. While it may not be the best fit for those who prefer to have an individualized experience or who need one-on-one therapy to address more serious mental health concerns, group therapy can be an effective form of treatment.

Both short-term and long-term group therapy have been proven to significantly improve symptoms, interpersonal problems, and psychosocial functioning among those withmood,anxiety, andpersonality disorders.

You can head over to an online therapy directory, ask your current therapist, or visit Verywell Mind’s review of thebest online group therapyofferings to find the right fit for you.

The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and Tested

Search for Low-Fee Providers

There are some therapists who offer their services at a significantly reduced fee, called sliding scale fees. To find one, try checking outOpen Path Collective. This is an online therapy directory that exclusively features therapists who offer their services for $40 to $70 per session, with a lifetime membership of $65 to use the directory. Open Path focuses on having diverse and inclusive therapists, making it a great option for many who are uninsured or underinsured or who cannot afford a typical therapist’s fee out-of-pocket.

Look into Therapy Funds From Organizations

Some organizations have begun offering therapy funds that those with marginalized identities can apply for.

A therapy fund offers money to cover a certain number of therapy sessions.

TheLoveland FoundationandThe National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Networkare just a few funds you can apply to.

While therapy funds are a wonderful option to ensure access to therapy, it is important to keep in mind that it is a temporary solution since it has a cap on how many therapy sessions are covered. Additionally, the funds are limited, an application is typically required, and most funds like these are meant for specific populations (like BIPOC or LGBTQIA+).

A Word From Verywell

Mental health care is an essential form of healthcare. Losing the ability to afford therapy can be a jarring experience, but it is crucial that you remember that there are solutions to getting the care you need.

Are We Closing the Mental Health Treatment Gap?

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Verywell Mind.Cost of Therapy Survey.Kollar, G. G. and M. (2024, August 30).Income in the United States: 2023. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/p60-282.html#:~:text=Highlights,median%20household%20income%20since%202019.Lorentzen S, Ruud T, Fjeldstad A, H⊘glend P.Comparison of short- and long-term dynamic group psychotherapy: randomised clinical trial.BJPsych. 2013;203(4):280-287. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.113688.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Verywell Mind.Cost of Therapy Survey.Kollar, G. G. and M. (2024, August 30).Income in the United States: 2023. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/p60-282.html#:~:text=Highlights,median%20household%20income%20since%202019.Lorentzen S, Ruud T, Fjeldstad A, H⊘glend P.Comparison of short- and long-term dynamic group psychotherapy: randomised clinical trial.BJPsych. 2013;203(4):280-287. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.113688.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Verywell Mind.Cost of Therapy Survey.Kollar, G. G. and M. (2024, August 30).Income in the United States: 2023. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/p60-282.html#:~:text=Highlights,median%20household%20income%20since%202019.Lorentzen S, Ruud T, Fjeldstad A, H⊘glend P.Comparison of short- and long-term dynamic group psychotherapy: randomised clinical trial.BJPsych. 2013;203(4):280-287. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.113688.

Verywell Mind.Cost of Therapy Survey.

Kollar, G. G. and M. (2024, August 30).Income in the United States: 2023. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/p60-282.html#:~:text=Highlights,median%20household%20income%20since%202019.

Lorentzen S, Ruud T, Fjeldstad A, H⊘glend P.Comparison of short- and long-term dynamic group psychotherapy: randomised clinical trial.BJPsych. 2013;203(4):280-287. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.113688.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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