One of the biggest reasons people don’t seek therapy is money. People look at a therapist’s hourly rates — which might range from $100 to $250 — and immediately assume they can’t afford professional help. So they stop there.
But you do have various helpful options. Below, clinicians share, in no particular order, what you can do if you can’t afford treatment.
1. Check with your insurance.
“If you have insurance, ask your insurance plan to give you a list of providers who are either in your geographic area or who specialize in the issue you are seeking help with,” said Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and clinical instructor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. You might only have to pay a small co-pay, he said.
However, even if your insurance doesn’t cover therapy, get the details on what they do cover, said Julie A. Fast, a coach and author of Get It Done When You’re Depressed. For instance, your policy might still include the words “social worker,” she said.
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Site last updated: 21 May 2013
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Thank you for this useful topic. We will continue to follow.
Great topic in these economic times! More and more people need therapy, but more and more people are experiencing finacial problems. As a therapist if someone can not afford my fees and I don’t have any concession places available, I usually suggest books, workshops, self help sites or other counsellors or hypnotherapist which may help them.
You’re kidding, right? A self-help book? I guess this is just one more example of the difference between help available to the rich and the poor.
You are so right. Books can’t fix my chemical imbalance, and psychiatrists are expensive as well. When you’re starting with a new psychiatrist it’s hard for them to see your big picture without a therapist to consult about your case.
yeah i’m going to go and read a self help book! that should help me not want to kill myself, scratch that, just going into a book store and buying one makes me want to kill myself, but again thanks for all your help
The self Help book was just one idea out of several. That won’t work for a lot of people, but it may work for a few that stumble on this post. I could understand criticizing this post for ONLY offering that solution, but it’s not the case and I commend the author for selflessly creating this to offer ideas for people seeking therapy. Like myself, without money to pay for it.