Mental Health Therapy Cost With and Without Insurance in 2024 | Mira Health
Mental Health Therapy Cost With and Without Insurance in 2024
The average cost for an hour-long therapy session varies between $138 and $300 without insurance. Rates can be as high as $250 per hour in cities like New York and Los Angeles. Various clinics across the U.S. have different pricing, ranging from $70 to $350 per session.
Alyssa Corso
Alyssa is a Senior Marketing Associate & Content Writer at Mira. She is passionate about educating others on how to affordably access healthcare.
Mental health therapy treats various mental health concerns and behavioral issues via communicating and skill-building with a qualified mental health professional. The cost of seeing a therapist depends on the number of sessions you book, your location, and more. On average, a therapy session costs between $138-$300 for an hour-long session for those who do not have health insurance.
First, understand the lingos:
- Talk therapy, mental health therapy, behavioral health therapy, and psychotherapy refer to the same thing
- Self-pay price, out-of-pocket price, and cash price are often similar in amount
- Psychiatrists prescribe medications, psychologists or therapists provide therapy only; you can use both
Why Is Talk Therapy So Expensive?
In the past few years, because of the pandemic and the rise in loneliness across the nation, the demand for talk therapy has outstripped the supply of therapists. And, because of the nature of the repeatability of therapy, many therapists find themselves unable to take on new patients.
Insurance reimbursements for mental health therapy had been high up until now, with many carriers reducing coverage. For those who pay out of pocket, a $150 session twice a month could translate to a $3600 annual cost.
One great solution is digital therapy. With the advancement of AIs trained on modern psychotherapy frameworks, solutions like such can help you solve daily struggles at a much lower cost.
Average Cost of Mental Health Therapy in 2024
If you do not have health insurance or have a high deductible, the cost of seeing a therapist can vary based on where you reside. For example, if you visit a therapist in New York or Los Angeles, the average rate for therapists can be about $250 per hour. Below is a table that shows the median therapy session rates for those without health insurance within different states.
Understand CPT Codes
CPT code is the standardized way for clinicians to bill or get reimbursed. Each type of visit or procedure is coded into a CPT code; it then will determine the charge amount. For behavioral and mental health therapy, the length and the nature of the visit often determine which CPT code is used.
| Procedure Code | Description | Patient Present? |
|---|---|---|
| 90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes (16-37 minutes) | Yes |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes (38-52 minutes) - Most common | Yes |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes (53 minutes and over) | Yes |
| 90846 | Family or couples psychotherapy, without patient present | No |
| 90847 | Family or couples psychotherapy, with patient present | Yes |
| 90853 | Group Psychotherapy (not family) | Yes |
| 98968 | Telephone therapy (non-psychiatrist) - limit 3 units/hours per application | No |
The Cost of Mental Health Therapy at Different Clinics
The table below summarizes costs for 50-minute to hour-long individual therapy sessions in specific clinics throughout the United States.
| Location | Average Cost of Individual Therapy |
|---|---|
| Therapy Group of NYC in New York City, NY | $350 |
| Boston Evening Therapy Associates in Boston, MA | $165 |
| Westside Psychotherapy in Madison, WI | $165 |
| Good Therapy in San Francisco, CA | $205 |
| Springs Therapy LLC in Colorado Springs, CO | $120 |
| RiviaMind | $200-$250 |
What Are Ways To Get Therapy For Cheap?
Therapy is not cheap because not only it is expensive per session, but you need multiple sessions per month and the cost can add up very quickly. There are 2 tips for you to get therapy for cheap:
Ask for Mini sessions
Therapists charge by time and not all issues warrant a full 1-hour session. It is possible to ask your therapist if they can do 15-20 minute follow-up sessions at a lower cost.
Use a subscription service
Subscription services like Cerebral, HeadSpace, and Talkiatry can save you money if you have more than 3-4 sessions per month. The cost of these services ranges from $200/month to $400/month out of pocket. Though this is not cheap, it could save you 20-30% compared to paying out of pocket.
Use digital therapy
The rise of conversational AI can help you get some relief at home on demand without having to spend over $100 per session with a human therapist. Services like Mira Emotional Companion (free for members) are loved by users because it is way more cost-effective and allow you to get relief at odd hours when therapists are generally not available, like midnight.
Example of Mira Emotional Companion conversation (free for members)
Factors that Influence the Cost of Therapy
Most individuals spend between $120 or more on average for an hour-long session. However, various factors impact this cost, such as sliding scale therapy, the type of therapist you see, and the type of therapy session you attend.
Type of Therapists and Specialists
There are a variety of specialists available with different niche backgrounds that offer therapy sessions. For example, a psychiatrist is a doctor qualified to treat psychological and physical symptoms related to mental health conditions. A psychologist is not a medical doctor; however, most psychologists have their Ph.D. and offer different evidence-based therapy options to their patients.
Cost of Therapy Based on Specialist
| Type of Specialist | Average Cost Per Session Without Health Insurance |
|---|---|
| Psychologist | $250 |
| Counselor | $150 |
| Psychotherapist | $150 — $300 |
Additionally, a counselor is an individual who can help treat and offer insight into various mental health conditions. Still, they are typically overseen by a registered psychologist and have a minimum of five years of experience. Lastly, a psychotherapist utilizes talk therapy to treat people with emotional and mental problems. Below is a list of average costs per type of specialist.
Different Types of Mental Health Therapy
Take a look at the table below for the average costs of different forms of therapy.
| Type of Therapy | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | One-on-one sessions with a mental health professional aimed at treating emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. |
| Group Therapy | Facilitated by a trained therapist, multiple individuals discuss and explore their problems in a group setting. This type of therapy is often used for treating social anxieties, building self-esteem, and providing a support network. |
| Couples Therapy | Aimed at resolving issues between two individuals in a romantic relationship. The therapist works with both parties to improve communication and problem-solving skills. |
| Marriage Counseling | Specifically designed to help married couples work through problems and improve their relationship. Often covers topics like communication, financial issues, and intimacy. |
| Depression Therapy | Targets the symptoms and causes of depression through various therapeutic techniques. It often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both. |
| Sex Therapy | Specialized therapy focusing on sexual function and issues related to sexual health. Topics may include sexual orientation, sexual performance, or sexual trauma. |
| Art Therapy | Uses art-making and creative expression within a therapeutic setting to explore emotions, improve self-esteem, and reduce stress. Art is used as a medium to address emotional and psychological issues. |
| Grief Counseling | Provides emotional and psychological support to individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one or significant life changes that trigger feelings of grief. |
When To See A Therapist
When considering visiting a therapist, it is important to remember that seeing a therapist can be the first step on the path of self-care. Some common signs may indicate seeing a therapist would be beneficial, such as:
It isn't easy to regulate your emotions. At times in life, you may feel hit with a flood of different emotions: anger, sadness, anxiety, and more. It is important to note how often you feel these bursts of emotions and how intensely you feel them.
Your work or school performance is declining. With this metric, individuals experiencing a tough time performing well in school/work could also be fighting some emotional or mental challenges, as these issues can impair concentration, memory, and energy.
It is difficult for you to build and maintain relationships. Mental health can impact our relationships by prompting us to be more insecure or make us want to slowly back away from others around us. Additionally, it cannot be easy to cultivate or create new relationships.
You are grieving. Grieving can be a slow, drawn-out process, especially if you do not have anyone to share the grief with.
You hope to improve certain qualities within yourself but don’t know where to start. Therapy can allow you to see certain traits within yourself and identify tough points that you didn't even know were present.
After deciding that you would like to seek a therapist, you can work together with your therapist to devise a plan about how long or often you would like to meet with them. On average, individuals who visit a therapist will go once a week for 45 minutes. Therapy sessions are most effective if you go 12 to 16 times for 45 minutes per session.
Therapy Cost Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To better understand what a therapy session entails and what to expect to gain out of one, look at these commonly asked questions revolving around therapy below.
What should I look for in a therapist?
Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is critical to ensuring that you benefit and get the most out of your therapy sessions. When deciding what therapist to look for, the first question is: what do you want to get out of therapy? Do you want to process grief? Or are you looking for tips to conquer stress?
After evaluating these questions, consider gathering recommendations from close friends and family, as they are individuals who know you best. Additionally, some factors to consider when looking for a therapist are the amount of training a therapist has, whether or not the therapist is in-network with your insurance, and the level of detail you want to be covered in your therapy sessions.
Can I see a therapist virtually?
Given the circumstances throughout this past year especially, individuals have been able to meet with therapists virtually. Because of this online nature, individuals can choose which therapist they would like to see. If they reside in Los Angeles but have a therapist elsewhere, they can meet online and have sessions virtually.
Why should I meet with a therapist?
Therapy can help with various outlets within your life. By meeting with a therapist, you will be able to destress and truly reflect on your life to see what you would like to be improved or what is causing you stress. A therapist can also offer guidance and advice on healing processes, everyday life situations, and they can help you keep your mental health in check.
Bottom Line
Overall, therapy can be a significant and worthwhile expense. Your mental health impacts so many aspects of your everyday life, from your physical health to how you maintain your relationships. Thus, it is essential to maintain your mental health. Through meeting with a therapist, you can heal, process, reflect, and receive guidance on how to live your healthiest life.