Top Affordable Therapy Choices to Explore in 2024
Top Affordable Therapy Choices to Explore in 2024
Affordable therapy options abound, offering solutions for individuals on a budget through sliding scale therapists, health insurance, and subscription services. All these choices cost less than $110 per session.
Discovering the Top Affordable Online Therapy Alternatives
- ** Perfect for urgent mental health matters: Crisis Text Line | Dive into the review**
- Best for young adults: BetterHelp | Dive into the review
- Best for relationship counseling: Regain Online Therapy | Dive into the review
- Best free service: 7 Cups | Dive into the review
- Best for adolescents: Talkspace | Dive into the review
- Best mix of therapeutic activities: Online-Therapy.com | Dive into the review
- Best directory for substance abuse treatment: FindTreatment.gov | Dive into the review
- Best for students: Open Path Psychotherapy Collective | Dive into the review
This article explores various techniques for finding affordable online therapy options and the numerous platforms available for counseling.
In the event of a mental health emergency, individuals should not opt for online therapy; instead, they should contact emergency services. Online therapy may not be suitable for individuals with severe mental health conditions.
Suicide Prevention
Crisis Text Line
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, a prevention help line can be of assistance. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is accessible 24/7 at 988. During a crisis, those with hearing impairments can utilize their preferred relay service or dial 711, then 988.
free with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon cell phone plans
8 Top Affordable Online Therapy Options
support through messaging
Medical News Today has evaluated some of the services below. Reviewers may have received trials from the brands free of charge, which does not impact their review. All opinions are the reviewers' own. Some editors opted to stay anonymous for their review due to the sensitive nature of the services.
messaging
A side-by-side comparison of the best affordable therapy options
Below, we compare each online therapy option for cost, the services provided, and the formats of available sessions.
BetterHelp
| Price | Services offered | Sessions formats || --- | --- | --- || Crisis Text Line | free with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon mobile plans | support through text messaging | text messaging || BetterHelp | $65 to $90 per week | • counseling | • live messaging• video calls• phone calls || Regain | $65 to $90 per week | • couples therapy• counseling | • messaging• video calls• phone calls || 7Cups | free or $150 per month | counseling | • live online chat• messaging || Talkspace | $69 to $109 per week | • counseling• psychiatry• couples therapy• teen therapy | • live messaging• video calls• phone calls || Online-Therapy.com | $50 to $100 per week | • couples therapy• counseling | • live sessions• messaging || Findtreatment.gov | free | individuals can search for treatment centers online | none applicable || Open Path Psychology Collective | $65 one-time membership fee, then $30 to $70 per session | psychotherapy | in-person or online |
$65 to $90 a week
Selecting the Best Affordable Therapy Platforms
• counseling
Medical News Today has meticulously assessed each online therapy provider to guarantee their safety for individuals.
• live messaging• video calls• phone calls
The vetting team evaluated several factors before writing this article, such as:
- Medical accuracy and integrity: Companies provide clear information about the coverage they offer and their standards of care.
- Best practices: Companies employ licensed healthcare professionals and are HIPAA-compliant.
- Signs of trustworthiness: Companies have third-party regulations and compliance with security standards.
- Reputation: Companies have not received warnings from the Federal Trade Commission, do not have pending or past lawsuits, and have a high ranking on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
ReGain
Medical News Today adheres to a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
$65 to $90 per week
Choosing an Affordable Therapist
• couples therapy• counseling
Factors to consider when seeking affordable therapy include:
• messaging• video calls• phone calls
- Cost and insurance: Several companies provide subscription-based plans that allow users to cancel at any time. Health insurance may reduce overall costs, but some individuals may not be eligible for mental health services under some insurance plans. Individuals should verify their coverage with their insurer or employer before pursuing therapy.
- Reviews: Impartial services like BBB or Trustpilot can be utilized to assess a company’s reviews and reputation.
- Credentials: Certain counseling services enable users to view their therapists' qualifications, experience, and specialties.
- Accessibility: Many therapists conduct online sessions via video, phone, or instant messaging chats, which may be more suitable than traditional therapy for some individuals. Users should consider which format best aligns with their needs and preferences.
Additional Affordable Therapy Options
7Cups
Affordable or low-cost therapy can be found in various forms and locations. In some instances, these support resources may be free.
free or $150 a month
- Employee support programs ( ESPs): These no-cost and confidential services strive to boost an employee's personal and professional wellbeing. Services may include consultations, brief counseling sessions, referrals, and follow-up appointments.
- Educational institutions' counseling centers: Low-cost or complimentary one-on-one therapy is offered on these centers. They may also assist in finding on-going therapy in the area.
- Local community health facilities: These clinics can offer care or treatment on a temporary or long-term basis.
- Discounted therapists: Such professionals provide their services based on a sliding fee scale, making mental health services affordable for many individuals. Different payment tiers may be available.
- Neighborhood community centers: These centers can guide individuals in locating affordable mental health services in their area.
- Medical facilities: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) website can be visited to find healthcare facilities providing low-cost or complimentary mental health support.
- Houses of worship: As per the American Psychological Association, certain religious establishments collaborate with psychologists to strengthen their mental health assistance to the community.
counseling
When to consult a medical professional
• live online chat• messaging
As per the National Institute of Mental Health, individuals who experience down feelings or have trouble sleeping should try self-care activities to alleviate their symptoms. Here are some methods:
- Physical exercise
- Discussing with friends
- Healthy eating
- Meditation
Talkspace
Nevertheless, if the individual's symptoms do not improve or persist for more than 2 weeks, or if they experience any of the following, they should contemplate talking to a therapist:
$69 to $109 per week
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming others
- Lack of motivation
- Decreased appetite
- Depressed feelings or blues
- Feelings of aggression or anxiety
• counseling• psychiatry• couples therapy• teen therapy
In case an individual experiences suicidal thoughts, they should not rely on online therapy. Instead, they should communicate their feelings to a trusted person and contact emergency services or local mental health crisis helplines.
• live messaging• video calls• phone calls
Individuals in need of specific support from doctors or organizations can contact helplines and hotlines, such as:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline
- National Center for Victims of Crime
- Strong Hearts Native Helpline
- National Dating Abuse Helpline
Online-Therapy.com
If an individual feels their online therapy is not meeting their needs, they can discuss them with their primary care physician, who can suggest alternative solutions such as support groups, college or work mental health services, and lifestyle changes.
$50 to 100 per week
Learn more about various types of therapy.
• couples therapy• counseling
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Therapy
• live sessions• messaging
Below, we address common questions regarding online therapy.
If a person cannot afford therapy, they can focus on performing simple activities that positively impact their mental health, such as 30 minutes of walking a day or practicing a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and getting sufficient sleep.
Findtreatment.gov
Apps offering meditation and breathing exercises can also aid in improving mental wellbeing. Staying connected with friends and family, providing emotional support, is additionally beneficial.
free
The cost of therapy varies significantly, depending on the type of therapy sought, the location, the therapist's credentials, the need for medication, whether insurance is present, and the type of insurance coverage. The cost of online providers in this article ranges from $45 to $299 per week, placing $100 in the lower to mid-ranged cost spectrum.
people can search for treatment facilities online
The government has several agencies that offer support to help locate low-cost healthcare services, such as SAMHSA, HRSA, and CMS.
does not apply
If an individual can no longer afford therapy, they may inquire if their therapist offers a sliding scale payment structure. This could mean a reduction in therapy cost based on their financial situation. Providing services on a sliding scale allows for personalized cost adjustments, rather than a flat fee for everyone.
Individuals may also access free or low-cost therapy through various sources, such as employee assistance programs, educational institutions, or local services in the community.
Open Path Psychology Collective
Despite high therapy costs, resources are available to assist in finding free or low-cost mental health care. Some healthcare professionals offer fee-based services. Community health centers and state agencies can help connect individuals to affordable mental health care options.
$65 one-time membership fee, then between $30 to $70 per session
The weekly cost of counseling through BetterHelp is $65 to $90. Some options listed in this article offer lower prices, such as OnlineTherapy.com, Open Path Psychology Collective, and 7Cups. However, individuals should carefully evaluate the expenses, criteria, and offerings of different providers to determine the best fit for their needs.
psychotherapy
Additionally, various free or low-cost options for mental health care are available.
online or in-person
- For individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, it's crucial to contact emergency services instead of relying on online therapy.
- When exploring affordable therapy options, considering factors like cost, insurance coverage, reviews, therapist qualifications, and accessibility can help individuals find the best fit for their needs.