Everyone Deserves Help: How To Find Free Counseling Services

Medically reviewed by April Justice
Updated March 14, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

The term "counselor" often conjures images of a t-shirt, jeans, and a whistle, as you hearken back to childhood camps, where counselors were teenagers volunteering to herd little children. It might also bring up the image of a high school or college office, a large desk, and questions about your plans and career. Counseling was once confined to these schools, churches, and hospitals. Still, counseling and therapy are becoming increasingly accepted, science backed practices, and the stigma that was once attached to needing outside help for life's challenges is decreasing. The price, however, can still be prohibitive. Here we’ll detail ways to find free therapy services.

Don't wait—get the help you need

Find safe therapy

"Free" does not always mean "good." Before leaping to enlist the help of the first free counselor you find, do your research; make sure your state licenses your counselor to practice counseling and that they have experience in what you are looking for help with. 

Finding safe therapy also means finding a safe space for your counseling sessions. If you see a therapist in person, you must see them in a space from outside listeners.

Where to find free counseling

While free counseling might seem too good to be true, there are ways to find counseling services free of charge, many of them available right in your town or city.

Check with your insurance

If you have insurance, you may be able to receive counseling free of charge. Although many insurance companies require that you pay a co-pay at each counseling session, some do not, particularly if you treat a diagnosed mental disorder, as these sessions are considered preventative, or treatment based. Before making an appointment with a local therapy clinic, call your insurance to determine if you would need to provide a co-pay or if your insurance completely covers the cost of counseling.

Check local churches

Many clergy programs dictate that you must take some cursory counseling classes to receive a theology degree or similar.  As a result, some churches are able to offer counseling services free of charge.

Visit your school office

If you attend high school or college, your school may provide counseling services free of charge. These services are not usually offered indefinitely and might have a time frame that you can work within or a certain number of sessions you can use. Still, these programs do enlist the help of qualified, trained professionals, so you are likely to receive quality mental health care without having to pay.

Check online therapy sites

Many online therapy sites allow you to have one or two free online counseling chats to determine whether you like the therapist or delivery method. Although this is not a long-term solution, it can help you get a feel for whether or not you want to enlist the help of an online therapist, counselor, or even a free psychologist, such as those found on Regain.us. If you do not feel that the two of you mesh during your first (free) session, you can move on to another therapist, to see if your personality meshes well with another practitioner.

Visit the national alliance on mental illness

The local chapter of NAMI might be able to steer you in the direction of free or low-cost mental healthcare.

Call local healthcare clinics

Mental health clinics might also have scholarships of sorts that you can apply to help pay for your mental health services, so make sure to have your information ready when you call, including your name, age, and income level.

Call local therapy offices

Many therapy offices will offer a sliding scale for services when someone does not have insurance, based on income, so check in with the office to determine if you qualify for free or low-cost therapy sessions. This can apply to some online therapy sites, as well.

Call a hotline

Although hotlines are not designed to offer long-standing emotional support and counseling, they can be used in a pinch if you feel completely overwhelmed and in need of some quick, short, free assistance.

Read the fine print wherever you go, as some places might offer a single free counseling session, provided that you sign up for further sessions.

iStock/Rawpixel
Don't wait—get the help you need

Things to check

If you decide to explore online therapy options, consider giving Regain a try. You can fill out a short questionnaire to be matched with a therapist who suits your needs and preferences, though you can switch therapists at any time if it’s not a good fit. Additionally, sessions can be held via video call, phone, or in-app messaging anywhere you have an internet connection and feel comfortable. While Regain does not offer free services, we do offer financial aid and reduced prices to those who qualify. You can contact us to find out more and whether you qualify.

Online therapy has been found by a variety of studies to be overall just as effective as in-person therapy. Recently, the National Center for Health Research conducted a meta-analysis of dozens of studies conducted on internet-based therapy. They found that online therapy is successful at helping those with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, grief, and a variety of other conditions and concerns.

Takeaway

While therapy might seem like a privilege rather than a need, many people do need mental health services. Even people without a diagnosed condition need mental health intervention from time to time. Mental health is health, and therefore mental health services like therapy are a need.

Whether you find an in-person therapist who works on a sliding scale, use a free online counseling chat 24/7, or locate a local clinic that offers mental health services free of charge, you can find safe, effective counseling services without a large price tag attached, and improve your mental health today.

For Additional Help & Support With Your ConcernsThis website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet Started
This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.