Why is Therapy So Expensive?

Therapy in California costs between $150 and $450 per session, and some specialists charge even more. But why? This section will help you better understand what decides the prices, helping you find a therapist around your budget range.

Typically, a therapist’s education level, credentials and/or years of experience directly impact their fee. Professionals with higher levels of education (i.e., advanced degrees), specialized certification and extensive clinical experience generally have higher rates. 

This is due to their increased demand and greater level of expertise. For instance, licensed psychologists, highly trained specialists and other experienced therapists may charge more than newer therapists or those who are interns.

Location also has a significant impact on therapy cost. California Cities that are considered to be very expensive (e.g., San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego) will likely have increased rates because it’s become more expensive to run the office and there’s been a higher demand for therapy lately.

The type of therapeutic approach you receive can affect your session pricing. Sessions can vary based on individual counseling, family counseling, or group counseling. Additionally, some specific therapeutic approaches (i.e., EMDR) often require therapists to obtain additional training, therefore increasing your per-session cost.

Many psychotherapy sessions are between 50 and 60 minutes in length; however, some therapists offer extended sessions. An extended session of 90 minutes will usually cost more than a standard session. Additionally, the overall cost of therapy is determined by your attendance schedule (i.e., weekly, biweekly) and the frequency of visits.

In addition to the professional fees for running a private therapy practice, there are operational costs such as rent, administrative staff, liability insurance, and technological support that therapists often incorporate into their fees. 

However, low-cost options for receiving psychotherapy services are available. These may include sliding scale fees, community clinics, services from supervised interns, and/or group therapy practices.

It may be helpful to inquire with your therapist regarding the payment options available prior to beginning therapy. Many therapists have different payment plans for their services, and learning the differences may assist you in finding a payment option which works best within your budget.

The majority of therapists charge a flat rate for each individual session. The cost of a session in California typically varies from $150-$$450 without insurance, based upon the level of experience and specialty of the therapist.

Many therapists also offer complimentary (free) or reduced priced consultations, that are approximately 15-20 minutes in length. These consultations allow potential clients to determine whether the therapist is an appropriate match prior to committing to multiple sessions.

Some therapists will adjust their fees based on income, the size of your household, and your financial situation. This makes it easier for those that do not have the money to go to therapy, especially if they don’t have insurance or the money to pay for it.

In California, the cost of a sliding scale therapy session can vary from about $50 to $150 depending on the therapist. You can schedule a free consultation call with San Jose counseling to explore this offer.

If you have health insurance, it could make your therapy bills much less expensive. The U.S. government requires insurance companies to cover mental health care alongside other medical services.

Not every therapist accepts insurance. Some therapists do not want to deal with the paperwork involved in billing an insurance company for their services. This includes having to formally diagnose clients for insurance purposes, and some therapists are concerned about client confidentiality.

Prior to booking an appointment with a therapist, you should call your insurance company to inquire about the following:

• Whether your chosen therapist is considered "in-network" or "out-of-network" 
  
  
• Whether or not your policy will pay for Individual, Family, Group Therapy sessions. 
  
  
• Do you need to obtain a referral from a physician prior to receiving treatment?

Being told you have to pay between$150 and $450 for therapy can make it easy to just give up. But just like your physical health, you can’t ignore mental health issues if you plan to live a comfortable and fulfilling life.

So what do you do when therapy is too expensive?

Online therapy can be more affordable in some cases, especially on certain platforms, but it really depends—prices can vary a lot, and it’s not always cheaper than seeing someone in person.

Typically, weekly online therapy sessions range from $70-$150. Some in-person therapy sessions in higher priced cities may cost upwards of $$450. In addition, the increased use of California telehealth services post-pandemic has made therapy more available and flexible.

Research shows that online therapy may help many people with many mental health issues including anxiety, depression and relationship problems. If you're looking for an easy way to get inexpensive support, using a service such as San Jose Counseling for your teletherapy needs may be a good place to begin.

If long term, ongoing, weekly therapy is too expensive for you, there are many local and state funded programs that may be able to assist you with your mental health needs in a lower cost manner.

• Behavioral health clinics: Many counties have some form of behavioral health clinic that provides both individual and group therapy at little to no cost.
  
  
• CalHOPE: This is a California state-funded program designed to provide emotional support to individuals, but does not require health insurance.
  
  
• Community clinics and non-profit agencies: These agencies often provide sliding-scale fees for therapy, which means that they will charge you based upon your income level. They may charge as little as $15-$90 per session.
  
  
• Crisis Hotlines: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential service available to all people who are experiencing extreme emotional distress. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
  
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs are programs offered by many companies to their employees, providing them with access to limited numbers of FREE counseling sessions.

These options can provide you with some type of assistance until you can afford to see a therapist regularly.

Yes, therapy is often worthwhile considering the long-term implications for your mental health and your relationships. Many people in the United States pay $100’s per month on non-essential items (dining out, subscription services, impulse purchases) whereas, therapy will be an investment in your emotional well being and growth.

Many therapists help individuals address issues related to their mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma), problems with relationships, and self-esteem issues. 

The American Psychological Association has found that therapy provides many benefits including improved mental health and overall functioning.

Investing in therapy will also provide you with healthier relationships, improved coping mechanisms, and a better overall quality of life.

At first glance, the cost of therapy might be seen as high. However once you consider therapy as a financial investment into your mental and emotional health the costs become much clearer. 

Many therapists offer options that are less expensive such as online or video counseling which will allow you to see a therapist from your own home. 

San Jose Counseling offers online telehealth therapy services for over 20 different areas of concern, which include relationships issues, grief, anxiety and trauma.

Book a free consultation with LMFT and CSAT therapist Dr. Invia A. Betjoseph to better understand the support that fits your needs.

You have options to get support even when therapy seems too costly by using:

• Community mental health clinics
  
• Support groups
  
• Sliding-scale therapists
  
• Free crisis lines like 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The price of therapy depends on the therapist's degree, licensure, supervised hours,office space, and ongoing training. The amount that experienced therapists charge for services is often directly related to their level of expertise, their specialization, and the demand for those specialties.

Yes! Many non-profit organizations, government-run programs (such as California HOPE), some community clinics and even local crisis hotlines provide free mental health resources.

Typically, in the United States, one hour of therapy will cost anywhere from $100-$450, and this cost can vary greatly depending on where you live, what type of therapist you are seeing, and whether the session is individual, family, or  group therapy.  If you have insurance or qualify for a sliding scale fee, these will help lower the cost.