What to do When You Can’t Afford Therapy
Therapy is expensive. Really expensive. I used to joke with my therapist that for the amount of money that I spent on therapy I could have gone on a cruise, or at least had a great weekend in Vegas.
One thing to keep in mind when you are trying to figure out how to pay for therapy is that therapy is very important. Your mental health should be one of your top priorities. Therefore, when you are trying to balance your budget, or when you are looking for a way to pay for your therapy, try to keep things in perspective. Think of any money that you spend on therapy not as an expense, but as a necessary and positive investment in your future well-being and good mental health.
Paying for therapy can present a real challenge, especially if you don’t have private insurance. I have shared a few of the options that I am aware of that might help you pay for your therapy. However, if you know of any options that I have missed, please share them in the comments or drop me a line.
Sliding Scale
Most, but not all, therapists charge on a sliding scale. If you can’t afford your therapist’s full fees, they may be able to offer you a lower rate. You will still get the same therapy as if you paid the full fee. Also, if you can’t afford to pay them at the moment, some therapists may also extend “store credit,” I.E., put off charging you for sessions until you have the money to pay them. It never hurts to ask.
Employee Assistance Programs
Check to see if your employer offers an employee assistance program (EAP). These programs are confidential (your employer won’t know that you have used it) and they are generally quite good at providing therapy services. There will be some restrictions, for example you will probably be required to use one of the Program’s therapists, and the therapy will be for a limited time (usually 10-12 sessions) but the program is free. Some EAP providers also offer therapy alternatives such as online therapy and phone therapy.
Government Programs
There are some federal, state and even municipal government programs that can help you pay for therapy. In general these programs have an applications process and you will need to prove your financial need. Speak to your therapist, or your family doctor, or your local social services agency to see what programs are available in your area.
Private Insurance
If you can get it, private insurance is a good way to pay for therapy. However, most private plans set an annual cap (usually $1000) on therapy expenditures, or they may require a co-pay. Private insurers will also keep a record that you have been in therapy. Although these records are confidential and are generally not shared with employers, it is good to be aware of these record-keeping policies if you have any privacy concerns.
Charities/Churches
Charities and church groups can help you pay for therapy in two ways. First, they can help you by paying a percentage of your therapy costs, or by putting you in touch with government programs and agencies who can assist you. Second, many charities and churches run their own therapy services, such as Catholic Family Services. These services generally have sliding scales for their therapy services, and they may also be able to help you if you are having financial trouble. Most of the church groups provide their services regardless of faith, so even if you are not a member of the same religion they will still be willing to help you.
Family & Friends
Another option is borrowing money from friends and family. This can be tough, especially if you haven’t told anyone that you are going to therapy. However, if you have a trusted family member or friend, borrowing can be a good source of funds for your therapy. Be careful to set expectations, however. If you are going to be in therapy for several years, be honest about your needs when you ask for money.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
The key to getting help with paying for your therapy is to ask for it. I know how difficult it can be to admit that you can’t afford therapy, but think of the alternative. If you don’t get to therapy, your condition could worsen.
If you are nervous about asking for help, then speak to your therapist about your concerns. Therapists are very understanding and they will try to assist you in finding financial help. Also, they will be familiar with any alternative sources of funds that I may have missed here. If you can’t afford therapy, your therapist is your best ally.
Also, it is not a sign of failure if you are unable to pay for therapy. Mental illness takes such a massive toll on you that no-one will hold it against you if you are unable to afford therapy. Instead of thinking of asking for help as a sign of weakness, try to see it as a sign of strength, a sign that you are willing and able to meet your problems, and your mental illness, head-on.
Anxiety Depression Health Mental Health Money therapy Work
Sham responds:
Posted: March 20th, 2007 at 4:25 am →
one more to add to your list.
Invest on books/audio tapes in your “area” of therapy
Sham
Samsara responds:
Posted: March 21st, 2007 at 2:29 am →
I know this article is dealing with ways to get to therapy even if you, alone, cannot afford it however another option if getting therapy funded is out of the scope of possibility for whatever reason is to look into 12 step programs or self-help and support groups.
Sometimes there are even self-help groups with a licensed or trained moderator that leads the group.
I think this is an important option worth considering when often I think the average person who may think she needs “professional therapy” may simply need support, experience from others who have survived something, or just a listening and caring person/people.
…and I agree with the above comment also.
Scott Davis responds:
Posted: March 21st, 2007 at 9:02 am →
Thanks for replying.
Sham: I agree. Books are a great resource and the nice thing is that they are always there when you need them.
Samsara: You make a very good point about support groups like AA. I left them out of the article because I wanted to focus on people who already know that they need one-on-one therapy, but I agree that support groups are a great resource.
As for your last point, I was also thinking about that after I wrote the article. A great way to save money on therapy is to only use it when you need it. But the problem is, when do you know whether or not you need it?
jeanne responds:
Posted: March 21st, 2007 at 3:06 pm →
These are a few things that I found more helpful than any other kinds of therapy for treating my bi-polarity successfully: (they were expensive, but not as much as being ill, prescription meds, and lulu psychotherapists who left me extremely depressed)
1. multivitamins that were specially formulated for bipolarity and schizophrenia (try looking up truehope in google, or Evince; the Pain and Stress Center sells things like HTP-5 and other essential amino acids.)
2. I finally turned to the alternative route for treatments after a years-long series of bad doctors, and one of the most useful things that I found was this: EFT, which is available on-line for free. This is an alternative form of treatment that uses the chinese meridian system to (successfully) treat a huge variety of symptoms. I like Gary Craig’s website best: http://www.emofree.com .
I found that my body needed a combination of vitamins and minerals and amino acids AND the more radical energy therapies to heal–but success! It has been four years since I last cycled through M-D episodes, and I was doing ultra-rapid cycling before.
Scott Davis responds:
Posted: March 21st, 2007 at 3:43 pm →
Jeanne,
I’m a huge fan of alternative medicine, especially for mental illness. The EFT material looks pretty cool. I used some specialized vitamins myself when I was coming off antidepressants and they worked very well.
therapydoc responds:
Posted: March 24th, 2007 at 9:13 pm →
Scot’s right. There are many ways to get therapy, and I’ll add that if you have to pay for it, remember, you pay to get your car fixed, too, and sometimes shell out a grand or so for a new transmission. Your life’s worth that and more.
Hayden responds:
Posted: August 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm →
I attend therapy at the local university’s graduate psychology/marriage and family therapy program for $3 per session. I work one-on-one with a therapist-in-training, who is supervised by a PhD behind a one-way mirror. It really doesn’t bother you after a while.