One of the main barriers for those who want to start psychotherapy is money. In many cases, therapy is indeed expensive. How valuable is your own mental well-being to us? This question is at the very center of the therapeutic work.
Why is money important?
We can talk for free about our difficulties (although not all) with a loved one or a casual interlocutor, but such a conversation does not guarantee full attention to us, does not imply a result or continuation. Even if we are friendly with a psychologist at a party, it is still just a conversation.
Money changes everything. The payment confirms the seriousness of intentions on both sides: the client and the specialist. And at the same time, it reduces the therapist’s overwhelming importance.
Many clients believe that the therapist is omnipotent. By paying, they get a chance to quickly understand that he is an ordinary person and need to earn money. The patient loses his illusions, but he gets autonomy. And at the same time, he returns to reality after a session, during which he was busy exploring the imaginary and the unconscious.
The average cost of therapy
- The average cost of therapy is between $ 60 and $ 120 per session.
- Most Americans pay between $ 20 and $ 250 an hour, depending on the number of sessions booked, whether or not they have health insurance coverage.
- With health insurance coverage, rates average between $ 20 and $ 50 per session.
How do I pay for the services of a psychotherapist?
There are various ways to pay for the services of a psychotherapist. Someone pays out of their own pocket, since the salary allows you to do this, others take out loans to cover these obligations. For example, there have been recorded cases of issuing online loans Michigan to pay for psychotherapy sessions. Many people say that this is an easy way to take out money without banking time-consuming bureaucracy. Everything takes place online, but it is important to remember that delays are not acceptable when issuing online loans.
Some psychotherapists offer free services in specialized anti-crisis centers, but it is not always possible to visit a free session due to lack of free appointments.
Five therapy options available in the USA
Sliding scale therapists are psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers who adjust their hourly pay to make therapy more accessible to the client. Cost: $ 30-80 per session.
Free mental health or low-income services. Psychiatric clinics employ psychotherapists and psychologists, but they can often expand their services through the use of student psychologists, student mental health counselors and social workers who are supervised by licensed, experienced professionals. Services are often provided free of charge or at a significantly discounted price. Cost: Free.
Local support groups. Unlike one-to-one therapy, support groups connect you with others who have similar experiences. While individual therapists often avoid direct counseling, support groups allow you to ask other people for opinions. Cost: Free.
Therapeutic applications. Therapy apps allow you to communicate with your therapist online or via text. Before signing up for online therapy, people fill out a mental health application. Based on these results, each new client is matched with a psychotherapist. Cost: Consultation fees are $ 49 per week, while Betterhelp is $ 35 to $ 80 per week.
Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotlines. Mental health emergencies such as suicidal thoughts, sexual abuse and domestic violence require immediate mental health care and attention. If these crises arise, hotlines can be called at any day time. These hotlines are staffed with trained volunteers and professionals who provide emotional support and can help you. Cost: Free.