How can I afford therapy?
<div class="user-question">I'd like to go to therapy, but my healthcare doesn’t cover it and I’m struggling with the cost. What are my other options here? This is really stressing me out..</div>
Hi there! I'm so sorry you're feeling this way but I just wanted to let you know that this is a great question & I’m so glad that you asked! This gives us an opportunity to openly talk about affordable therapy options. And, hopefully, this will be helpful to more than just you ❤️🩹
First and foremost, I’m so glad that you are prioritizing time to look inward and take care of yourself. That in itself is an investment that will pay off in your mental, physical, and financial health long-term.
So today we'll cover some options you can explore for financially accessible mental health support.
❤️🩹 Confirm Your Insurance Benefits
It’s important to verify with insurance what is and is not covered. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn you have more coverage than you expected. If you’re not sure, call your insurance company and ask whether therapy is covered “in-network.”
- If it is, ask what your copay is. This is the amount that you will owe per session.
- If it is not, ask what your “out of network” benefits are for therapy. You can ask things like:
1️⃣ What is my deductible? – This is an amount that you need to spend before your out of network benefits kick in.
2️⃣ What percentage is covered once I’ve met my deductible? – This is what % insurance will reimburse you once you’ve met your deductible.
So, for example, if your deductible is $1,000, your out of network coverage is 70%, and your therapist’s session fee is $150, after you spend $1,000 out of pocket, you will be reimbursed 70% of your therapy sessions by insurance, so your session cost will go down from $150/session to $45/session.
If this feels totally overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many therapists will check your benefits for you for exactly this reason.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich Tip: If you’re in New York and use Aetna, BCBS, United/Optum, or Cigna/Evernorth, Dedicated by MyWellbeing will check your benefits for you before your first session with your therapist.</div>
❤️🩹 Explore "Sliding Scale" Payments
Reach out to a therapist who resonates with you and ask them if they offer a sliding scale.
The therapist may ask you what fee you can afford, so think through a monthly fee that is do-able for you. Talk with the therapist about what cadence you can work together to make that possible.
Often, weekly sessions are recommended for therapy, but you can go biweekly or monthly if that is the only cadence that you can afford.
For example: if your monthly budget is $400, tell the therapist that. It’s possible that they will be able to work with you weekly for $100/session, or $200 per session biweekly
❤️🩹 Consider Group Therapy
Often, the per person cost for group therapy is less than the per person cost of 1:1 therapy, and group therapy can offer a tremendous amount of benefit and support.
A couple of ways to find group therapy sessions are to look online, ask friends for recommendations, ask therapists who you’re drawn to for recommendations, or to ask trusted loved ones to support you with the search.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich Tip: MyWellbeing offers virtual monthly group sessions that are entirely free.</div>
❤️🩹 Free or Low Fee Options
9-8-8 is the national crisis lifeline, offering free, confidential, 24/7 support for individuals experiencing mental health crises, including suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or substance use concerns
Text “HELLO” to 741741 for help with help with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, emotional abuse, self-harm, and more. The hotline is available 24/7 and completely free.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich Tip: Here are additional crisis resources or free/low fee mental health resources.</div>
Btw - here's how others are doing👀
Would you be willing to pay more taxes for a free national mental health service?
👍64% Yes
👎36% No
Alyssa Petersel
Founder, CEO - MyWellbeing
