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September 20, 2022 — 11:28 AM
Therapy can help you learn about yourself and use that renewed clarity to create a life that you love. On top of a deeper understanding of the world, therapy equips you with the tools you need to handle anything life may throw your way.
Despite all of the benefits, there’s no doubt that beginning therapy is a journey: You’ll discover and rediscover these lessons as you get to know yourself on a deeper level. There is no quick fix or magic pill–change is on the other side, but only with intentional effort. Therapy is one of the top methods for managing your mental health, but over time, the investment can be costly. That’s why it can be important to seek out affordable therapy options to help align you with the person you want to be—without breaking the bank.
With new platforms and mental health services created seemingly everyday, finding the right therapy option can feel daunting. To ease the process, it’s essential to have criteria in order to filter through the mental health site that’s best for you. If you’re not sure where to start, we pulled together the 6 best, affordable therapy services based on prerequisites people commonly look for when finding a therapist.
How we picked
Accessible
Mental health should be affordable for all, and these companies have reasonable rates, with or without insurance
Easy-to-use
For these therapy sites, the sign-up process is straightforward and the user interface is simple to use. The platform makes it uncomplicated for the client to navigate therapy with ease.
Strong expertise
Each mental health provider has a background and license — from volunteer listeners to therapists and psychologists.
Positive reviews
Through scouring the internet for real customer reviews, we made sure each therapy option is highly rated by the people who actually use them. We even included personal recommendations from experts.
Alternative mental health options.
Face-to-face and online teletherapy options are readily used today, but there are other substitutes you can lean on depending on your particular needs:
Sometimes, you may not need individualized attention and you’re more interested in sharing space with others who understand your experiences. If you’re looking for empathetic support with people who can relate to you, peer support groups are a safe place to do just that. “Group therapy is a powerful modality for certain specific issues as it has a huge normalizing effect and helps an individual feel a sense of community,” explains licensed psychotherapist Ling Lam, Ph.D., MFT.
Grief is one of the most isolating, yet universal, experiences we can all go through. Loss of any kind can be overwhelming to process, but grief support groups provide a space for you to recover and heal during this challenging time. It’s inevitable that it will be painful, but being able to reinterpret the hurt, face mortality, and let go with grace are important skills to healthily move forward.
3. Psychedelic-assisted therapy
As mental health treatments continue to improve and make advancements, psychedelics are becoming promising therapeutic alternatives to treat conditions like anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. In 2018, the FDA approved psilocybin mushrooms as a “breakthrough therapy” to manage treatment-resistant depression. In 2022, researchers from John Hopkins, New York University, and Yale University received a grant to create an evidence-based protocol for psychedelic therapy.
FAQ
Is in-person therapy better than online therapy?
“Psychotherapy is optimal in a high emotional bandwidth medium,” Lam says. “In-person has the highest emotional bandwidth as you can see the whole person – verbal, nonverbal, facial expression, body posture, etc. followed by video, phone and then text.” With that being said, the caveat s that it does depend on your needs. If you’re too busy to fit in a standing face-to-face therapy, it will be difficult to see progress if you can’t bring your full self to the session. Online therapy may make more sense if you’re looking for therapeutic help on your timetable and what makes sense with your schedule.
What is a normal price to pay for therapy?
Therapy services can vary depending on the therapist’s training, specialties, and insurance plan coverage. As seen in the affordable therapy options listed above, prices differ between individual sessions vs. packages, one-time sessions vs. subscriptions, and the geographical location.
How often should you go to therapy?
There is no right or wrong way to do therapy. Lam notes that therapy traditionally takes place once a week, but it’s really up to you and your therapist to decide what you need. “I invite clients to trust themselves and what they need and have a collaborative conversation with their therapist to jointly determine the right cadence for them.”
What happens if you don’t find the right fit right away?
If you don’t energetically match with your therapist immediately, that’s OK and par for the course. Lam recommends scheduling out a few sessions with a therapist and checking in with yourself to see if you feel safe and seen during your sessions. This will directly contribute to the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Take your time—if you don’t feel understood by your therapist, it’s okay to look for another one.
Can you quit therapy and take a break?
“Therapy has a beginning, middle and end, just like any other human experiences.There are many different therapeutic modalities and I do not believe a client needs to do continuous therapy forever,” Lam advises. “Trust yourself and have a collaborative conversation with your therapist about your goals and progress towards your goals.”
Is there ever a “right” time for therapy?
You can seek therapy when you’re going through a tough period or even if you just want dedicated time to talk about things that matter to you. What’s important is that you participate in the therapeutic relationship and feel comfortable learning about yourself in the process.
Affordable therapy is possible and attainable, if you know what you’re looking for. That said, while finding a great deal is important, it’s also essential you work with a provider and platform that suits your emotional needs without sacrificing quality of care. If you’re considering therapy and want to dig into the nuances of the types of therapeutic approaches out there, here’s our full guide to help you choose a modality that’s right for you.
