5 Affordable Therapy Options Worth Knowing

Therapy and its various forms have become more affordable and we can now find solutions to all budgets. There are several options available — from free counseling to treatment at just $50.

During the uncertain times we're currently living in, the number of people developing anxiety, depression, and chronic stress has sharply increased. Therapy is considered one of the best ways to treat mental health issues but is often seen as "luxury" and expensive.

"People tend to only think of expensive, private therapy, but there are so many options of how to get help when you're struggling with difficult situations and emotions"

Theresa Nguyen, L.C.S.W., vice president of policy and programs at Mental Health America.

Therapy can indeed wreak havoc on your budget, but money shouldn't be the sole factor in keeping someone to seek treatment. That said, we've rounded up five ways for you to fit therapy into your budget.

Sliding Scale Therapy

Therapists, psychologists, and psychotherapists adjust their hourly fees so that therapy becomes more affordable for people.

Sliding scale therapy might be a great option if your budget is tight and you have to pay for counseling yourself or in case you don't have insurance reimbursement for therapy.

Therapy Apps

Apps like Talkspace and Betterspace offer online counseling (also known as teletherapy), in which the interaction between patient and therapist is done via video conference.

Just like in-person therapy, teletherapy fees vary. Talkspace fees may cost $65 per week, while Betterhelp charges between $35-$80 per week.

College Services

For undergrad and grad students, some universities offer mental health services to their students at affordable prices and, most of the time, free.

On the American College Health Association page, you can find projects, programs, publications, guidelines, and more.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a peer support group hosted in various ways -- sometimes offered by health care companies or local mental health organizations.

Hotlines

Hot or warm lines are telephone-based ways to chat with somebody that doesn't require therapy sessions.

They are free and recommended for those who need two or three conversations, just need more clarity, share their thoughts and get emotional support.