The Cost Of Therapy And Finding Affordable Mental Health Care

Whether someone is experiencing problems with their mental health or simply wants to try to make sure their mental health is working optimally, they may turn to a therapist for help. A therapist can listen to what's happening in your life and help come up with solutions for turning things around. 

Therapy is often thought of as an expensive way to treat yourself. We may imagine middle-class or wealthy people sitting in a therapist's chair, but we often don't imagine the poor talking about their problems with that same therapist. Is therapy really that expensive? If so, are there cheaper alternatives? What if you're looking for therapy for a loved one, such as a child or an aging parent?

Taking care of one's mental health shouldn't be viewed as a luxury. However, due to the cost, it may seem out-of-reach to some. Let's look closer at the cost of therapy and how to find affordable therapy when you need it.

The cost of therapy

It's hard to pin down the exact cost of a session of therapy because there are so many factors that come into play. Here are just a few of the factors that will determine how much your therapy session costs:

• Where you are. Some places will charge more for therapy, especially if you live in a place where the cost of living is higher. A rural community may charge less but may also, unfortunately, have fewer options compared to a more expensive urban area.
• How much you make. Some therapists charge for their services on a sliding scale, which means you pay what you can afford. This can be a good way for anyone to afford therapy regardless of income. This is something you can discuss with any therapist you're considering.
• How experienced the therapist is. Someone who has more experience and more acclaim may charge more than an intern or a newcomer.
• Where you're getting your services from. Some therapists may charge less than others. Your local community clinic may provide services for free or for a low general cost. Online services often cost less than in-person services.

In the end, the only way to figure out how much therapy will cost is if you call the therapist you're considering and ask how much they charge. That said, if you can't afford the therapy you've investigated, how can you receive the health care you need? Here are a few places to look for help.

Look at school

If it's your child who needs therapy and they are in school, you can request that they see the school counselor. If you're in college, there may be counselors available for you to speak to right on campus. Some universities may have counseling available to the public at a reduced rate. It doesn't hurt to ask someone at your local college or university if they offer public services. If you choose to go this route, you're supporting your local counselors and/or people who are starting out in the profession.

Speak to your family doctor or psychiatrist

A family doctor is no substitute for therapy, and a general doctor is often too busy to listen to everything you have to say about your mental health. They may be able to help you, however, by recommending a therapist for you. Also, doctors can prescribe medications to treat your symptoms. However, at the outset, you should focus on the cause of those symptoms, which is what a counselor can help you with.

Look at local clinics

A local medical clinic or hospital may be able to provide low-cost therapy to you to treat your mental health issues; speak to them to see what services they can provide.

Keep in mind that a local clinic may be overbooked, and it could take a long time to get service. This may mean that you won't be able to get the care you need in an urgent situation. However, if it's not an emergency, or if you get lucky and find an opening, a clinic can be a great option.

Sliding scale

As mentioned above, many counselors offer a sliding scale therapy payment system, where you pay a rate based on how much you earn. Talk to a counselor and see if they offer, or will consider, sliding scale payments. This could open up options that were previously too expensive.

Look to community agencies

There may be community services, such as social services, that can offer you counseling for little to no money. These local agencies are there to provide help for the public. Check your local area for what's available. 

Look to group therapy

Group therapy happens when a counselor talks to multiple people at once. Because they are able to treat multiple people at once, it often costs less. Some people may feel that with group therapy, they are less concentrated on. However, there are others who like to listen to and talk with people who have similar problems. Many people find that a group helps them to discover solutions to their own problems. You may find group therapy out of your local hospital or clinic or online.

Your insurance

If you have health insurance, counseling might be covered. It all depends on who your provider is and what services are available in your area. To figure out what is covered, talk to your insurance provider or go to their website. They should be able to offer you a list of counselors nearby. Your insurance might pay some, if not all, of your costs. It all depends on where you are, who your insurance provider is, and who you want to see.

Go to a church

If you are religious, your pastor or other religious leader might be a counselor as well, providing your guidance from the perspective of your faith. Religious counseling is quite popular, and a good religious counselor will use a science-based approach in addition to faith-based. Their services are usually done for the good of the community, meaning they're free to the public. Check with your church, temple, or mosque to see if they offer any counseling services.

Try online counseling

The internet has made many aspects of our life much more affordable. How we shop, how we consume media, and many other parts of our lives have been simplified thanks to the internet. One online service that is also becoming more affordable is counseling.

Online counseling has become all the rage recently, and there are many good reasons. Here are just a few of those:

• Counseling no matter where you live. It can be hard to locate a good therapist in some rural areas. Online therapy platforms widen the net on who you can receive help from.
• Accessibility. If you have a disability, it may make it harder for you to commute to or talk with a therapist. Online therapy is often more accessible than in-person therapy. For example, those who have trouble speaking can talk to a therapist through text. While body language and tone may be lost in translation, texting allows more people to be able to voice their concerns. 
• Flexibility. Online services allow therapy on the go or from the comfort of home. If you're on a commute and need to speak to a counselor right away, you can type your concerns into a text message without the need to talk while you're out in public. Alternatively, you can schedule a video session for a time after you get home from work.

Finally, let's talk about the affordability of online counseling. A traditional counselor will usually have a clinic outside their home they have to pay for, but an online counselor may work from home, and thus have fewer expenses. This can lower the cost of their services, making it more affordable for you.

In the meantime—lifestyle changes

While there is often no substitute for speaking to a counselor, there are lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall mental health while you're searching for a therapist you can afford. These include:

• Healthy dieting. Some fatty foods can negatively affect your mental health. Eating healthier foods can improve your overall mood.
• Exercise. Working out releases feel-good chemicals in the brain and is beneficial for not just your mental health, but also your overall physical health.
• Lower your stress. Eliminating or reducing the source of your stress can improve your mental health. Is your project making you stressed? Finish it! Do you need help with errands? Ask for an assist from a friend.

Making lifestyle changes can make you feel better until you can get the help you need. So, make that change and see what it can do for you.

Takeaway

Is counseling for the rich? As mental health awareness has increased, more people realize that counseling is for everyone. Just because you don't have much money doesn't mean that you shouldn't seek counseling. Sometimes, your mental health problems may even be preventing you from advancing in the world. Many problems can prevent you from seeking the career of your dreams, finding a satisfying relationship, or being at peace with yourself. 

All of these are things a counselor may be able to help with. Consider an online therapy platform such as BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers convenient, flexible access to licensed therapists at an affordable rate.

Your mental health is important, so if you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it.