Therapy costs $100–$250 per session without insurance in the US — but there are many ways to pay less. Here’s what you’ll actually pay based on your situation.
Therapy Costs at a Glance
| Type | Cost Per Session | Monthly (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|
| In-person (no insurance) | $100–$250 | $400–$1,000 |
| In-person (with insurance) | $20–$50 copay | $80–$200 |
| Online therapy (BetterHelp, etc.) | $65–$100 | $260–$400 |
| Sliding-scale / community | $20–$60 | $80–$240 |
| Group therapy | $30–$80 | $120–$320 |
| University training clinic | $5–$30 | $20–$120 |
| Open Path Collective | $30–$80 | $120–$320 |
Cost by Therapist Type
| Provider | Typical Rate (No Insurance) | Education |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist (MD) | $200–$400 | Medical degree + residency |
| Psychologist (PhD/PsyD) | $150–$300 | Doctoral degree |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | $100–$200 | Master’s degree |
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) | $100–$180 | Master’s degree |
| Marriage/Family Therapist (LMFT) | $100–$200 | Master’s degree |
Cost by City
| City | Average Per Session |
|---|---|
| New York City | $200–$350 |
| San Francisco | $200–$300 |
| Los Angeles | $175–$275 |
| Chicago | $150–$250 |
| Dallas | $125–$200 |
| Atlanta | $125–$200 |
| Rural areas | $80–$150 |
How Insurance Covers Therapy
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| In-network copay | $20–$50 per session |
| Out-of-network | 50–70% covered after deductible |
| Deductible | $500–$2,000 before coverage kicks in |
| Session limits | Most plans: unlimited (parity law) |
| Pre-authorization | Rarely needed for outpatient therapy |
| Diagnosis required | Yes — therapist provides a clinical diagnosis |
Affordable Therapy Options
| Option | Cost | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Free (3–8 sessions) | Through your employer |
| Sliding-scale therapists | $20–$60 | Ask individual therapists |
| Open Path Collective | $30–$80 | openpathcollective.org (one-time $65 fee) |
| University training clinics | $5–$30 | Local university psychology programs |
| Community mental health centers | Free–$50 | SAMHSA locator |
| Online platforms | $65–$100 | BetterHelp, Talkspace, Cerebral |
| Support groups | Free | NAMI, AA, local community groups |
| Crisis resources | Free | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
Annual Cost Comparison
| Frequency | No Insurance | With Insurance ($30 copay) | Online Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly (52 sessions) | $7,800–$13,000 | $1,560 | $3,380–$5,200 |
| Biweekly (26 sessions) | $3,900–$6,500 | $780 | $1,690–$2,600 |
| Monthly (12 sessions) | $1,800–$3,000 | $360 | $780–$1,200 |
Bottom Line
If you have insurance, use it — your copay will likely be $20–$50 per session. If uninsured, check your employer’s EAP for free sessions first, then consider Open Path Collective or sliding-scale therapists. Online therapy platforms offer a middle ground between cost and convenience. The most important thing is to start — the cost of untreated mental health issues (lost productivity, relationship damage, physical health) far exceeds the cost of therapy.
See our average health insurance cost by state or average dental costs for more healthcare cost info.