Mental health conditions affect all populations, demographics and ethnicities. In fact, in 2017 nearly 20% of U.S. adults reported experiencing some symptoms of a clinical mental illness. The numbers spiked even higher in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic– the number of adults who got evaluated for anxiety and depression rose by 93% from 2019 to 2020.

Most people with mental health issues either have no insurance, or choose to see a therapist who doesn’t take insurance. It is reported that nearly 11% of adults with some form of mental health disorders have no insurance, resulting in over 5 million Americans who have to find a way to pay for treatment without insurance.

Seeing a therapist without insurance is not unusual. Many therapists choose not to accept insurance for a variety of reasons including the financial and logistical challenges that come with working with insurance companies. And if you are waiting to work with a therapist in-network, you could be waiting months to be seen as waiting lists can be long.

By choosing to pay for therapy out of pocket, your information stays more private, you do not have to disclose anything to your insurance company that would later be considered a pre-existing condition, you have the freedom to choose your therapist and you can enroll in the exact amount of sessions you need. Oftentimes, you can find a therapist who is specialized in exactly what you need help with as well. You won’t be bound to use a certain therapist that your insurance company approves.

However, therapy isn’t cheap. 

If you cannot afford therapy, or are looking to pay for it out of your own pocket, here are 5 tips to help you get the help that you need…

1. Ask your therapist if they offer a sliding scale. A sliding scale is a payment structure that allows the therapist to adapt their rates to what you are able to pay. This means that a therapist might offer rates in a range from $80-$150 depending on how much each individual can afford. You usually don’t need to show proof of income and most therapists will take your word for it because it allows them to provide mental health care to people who might not otherwise have access to the help.

2. Consider remote therapy. Working with a therapist remotely can reduce costs and make scheduling easier as well. Remote online therapy can occur in real time and can be more affordable.

3. Search for therapist training institutes near you. Some therapist training institutes offer sessions with trainee therapists at reduced rates. Most of these therapists already have advanced degrees and are supervised by experienced clinicians as well. The American Psychoanalytic Association offers a directory of low-fee clinics you can search for near you.

4. Check with your church. Support groups focus on particular factors that everyone in the group has in common. This could be something like a recent loss, depression or anxiety. They can be run by therapists and usually have a good peer support system. They’re very low cost to join or even free. Support groups or discounted services are common at churches. Speak with your church to see if they offer counseling services. At Southern Pine we are willing to do contracts with places of worship. In some cases the church may cover our whole fee or they may partner with Southern Pine and you to cover a percentage of the fee. Some churches even have trained clinicians on staff available to their congregation.

5. Talk to your therapist. Talk to your therapist if you’re struggling financially and ask if they would be willing to reduce the rate for a few sessions until you can get back on your feet. Or, ask if you can set up a payment plan to allow you to pay for the sessions over time. Most will be willing to work with you.

At Southern Pine we do our best to provide mental health care services to all who need it, regardless of your financial situation. 

If you are having a mental health crisis, especially if you have thoughts about hurting yourself or other people, immediately call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Assistance National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This resource is free, confidential and staffed by professional volunteers who can talk you through a crisis and connect you with resources nearby to help.

If you are interested in learning more about our services at Southern Pine Counseling, prices and/or to set up a tailored treatment plan for your needs, call us today!