Feb 13, 2024
Finding mental healthcare, especially in an outpatient setting, shouldn't be difficult, but many people have a hard time determining the best therapy or counseling resource for their needs. There's so many options out there—type of treatment, online vs in-person, type of therapist, session times, length of therapy—it can be overwhelming. And of course there is the inescapable question of cost. While insurance coverage for mental healthcare treatment has increased in the last couples of years, many people still struggle to find therapy that is affordable or covered by their insurance.
Fortanutely, there are plenty of options out there for affordable therapy or free therapy near you. Let's look into a few of the best options now.
How much is therapy without insurance?
With insurnace, mental health therapy is usually a copay of just $30-$50, sometimes cheaper if you have an insurnace like Medicaid. But how much is therapy without insurnace? It can range from $30 to a whopping $250.
Why is there such a big range in cost?
Therapy cost depends on a variety of different factors:
- Type of treatment
- Experience of therapist
- Location
- In-person vs online
It is possible to recieve free thearpy near you. Mental health therapy should be available to everyone. Let's dive into a few examples and places you can look.
How to Find Free or Affordable Therapy Near You
The best place to look for free and affordable therapy are organizations in your community. Here's our best affordable therapy options in 2024:
Community Mental Health Centers
Many communities have mental health centers that provide low-cost or free mental health services. These centers may offer therapy, medication management, and other services on a sliding fee scale based on income.
If Community mental health is right for you, here are some ways to find counseling near you:
- Search online: You can search online for community mental health centers in your area by using terms such as "community mental health center" or "low-cost therapy" along with your city or zip code. This should provide a list of centers in your area, along with their addresses and contact information.
- Check with your local government: Many cities and counties have a health or social services department that can provide information about community mental health centers in the area. You can also check the website of your city or county government for information about mental health services.
- Contact your state's mental health agency: Each state has a mental health agency that can provide information about community mental health centers and other mental health resources in the area. You can find contact information for your state's mental health agency by searching online or by contacting your state government.
- Ask your primary care physician: If you have a primary care physician, they may be able to refer you to a community mental health center in your area. They can also tell you about the mental health centers part of your insurance network.
- National helplines: You can also contact national helplines like NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which can provide information about community mental health centers and other mental health resources in your area.
Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
Some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide employees with free or low-cost mental health services. These programs may include counseling, support groups, and other services to help employees manage stress and mental health issues.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are workplace-based programs that provide confidential counseling, support, and resources to employees and their families. EAPs typically offer a range of services, such as:
- Counseling: EAPs provide employees and their family members with confidential counseling services for various personal, work-related and mental health issues. This can include individual, couples, and family counseling and support groups.
- Referral services: EAPs can provide employees and their family members with referrals to community resources, such as legal, financial, and medical services, as well as other support services.
- Work-Life balance: EAPs often provide employees and their family members with support and resources to help them manage the demands of work and personal life, such as parenting, eldercare, and stress management.
- Substance abuse and addiction support: EAPs often provide employees and their family members with support and resources for substance abuse and addiction issues, such as counseling, referral to treatment programs, and support groups.
- Legal and financial services: EAPs often provide employees and their family members with support and resources for legal and economic issues, such as counseling, referral to legal and financial services, and support groups.
Non-Profit Organizations
Many non-profit organizations offer low-cost or free mental health services. These organizations may include community clinics, faith-based organizations, and other groups dedicated to helping individuals access mental health care. Some of these will be based in your local community, and others will be internet based. A lot of internet based non-profits won't offer traditional talk therapy, but instead offer support groups, advice, chat lines, and online events.
Examples of Non-Profit Organizations that offer free therapy include:
- For everyone: National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
- For suicide awareness and prevention: To Write Love On Her Arms
- For behavioral health and inpatient help: Fountain House
- For eating disorders: Project Heal
- For young people: Active Minds
Don't forget to look at non-profits in your community. Free mental health support groups are common.
Online Therapy
Because of no overhead costs to therapists, online therapy is often cheaper than in-person therapy. Online therapy, teletherapy, or virtual therapy, is a form of mental health treatment provided remotely, usually through video, phone, or messaging. It is becoming increasingly popular as a way to access therapy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and where in-person therapy may not be possible or convenient.
Research has shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for certain conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among others. Studies have found that online treatment can lead to significant improvements in symptoms and that the outcomes are similar to in-person therapy.
However, it is worth being aware that online therapy may not be suitable for everyone, and certain conditions or issues may be better treated in person. For example, online therapy may not be as effective for individuals with severe mental health conditions or those in crisis, as well as for individuals who may have problems with technology, lack of privacy, or internet access.
Additionally, it's essential to ensure that the therapist you are working with is licensed and qualified to provide therapy remotely and that your platform is secure and confidential. At Lifebulb, our clinicians are licensed and trained to provide safe, secure, private, and HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy.
Self-help groups
Joining a self-help group can provide a supportive environment and be a great way to connect with others who have similar experiences or have faced and even overcome mental health issues like yours. These groups can provide a sense of community and be a valuable resource for individuals dealing with mental health issues. You can find these through Facebook, Reddit, Quora, Instagram, Slack, or Reddit.
Public assistance programs
Some states and local governments offer assistance programs that can help individuals who are struggling to afford mental health treatment. These programs may provide financial assistance for treatment or may offer other resources to help individuals access the care they need.
Keep in mind that while these options may be more affordable than traditional therapy, they may not be covered by insurance and may have specific limitations. It's also worth mentioning that some of these options may not be available in all areas or may have waitlists.
It's important to consider what type of therapy best suits your needs and your budget and to reach out to different providers, organizations, or programs to understand what they offer and if they are a good match for you.
Crisis and Text Lines
Sometimes, you just need a little extra support in the moment. When you're feeling anxious, depressed, reckless, or having suicidal thoughts, a text or phone line can be the instant support you need. It's best not to become overly reliant on these, as most of them are meant for crisis situations and do not employ licensed therapists. But we encourage you to check them out if you're having a bad day, need someone to talk to, or need mental health support.
Note: These text and phone lines are not equipped to respond to emergencies. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Mental health text and phone lines you can use include:
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678
- Suicide and Crisis line: Text anything to 988
Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with your mental health, help is out there, and it might just be free! Finances should never be a barrier to someone's mental health. We encourage you to look through these resources and find one that works well for you.
If you do have insurance, or are willing to pay an affordable self-pay fee, Lifebulb employs over a hundred licensed therapists and counselros who are ready to help you. Look through our therapist directory to find someone who fits your needs. The path to a brighter life starts today.
