Where To Find The Best Free Mental Health Online Counseling For Families That Can’t Afford It In 2020

Where To Find Free Therapy For Families That Can’t Afford It

By William Drake|Updated June 22, 2022

"Counseling shouldn’t be available to only those that can afford it or have health insurance. Counseling should be available to all that could benefit from it. If your family is looking for counseling services, there are options available to you. Family counseling is an important tool to help keep relationships growing smoothly through learning communication, giving and receiving love, and learning healthy boundaries. If you think your family could benefit from counseling, but you don’t have insurance or large savings, please don’t give up hope; there are free services available." - Dr. Wendy Boring-Bray, DBH, LPCC.

Is Affordable Online Counseling Right For You And Your Family?

There’s no doubt about it: therapy can be expensive. Many mental health professionals don’t take certain types of insurance and it can be even harder to find a counsellor if you don’t have insurance at all. And when you consider the fact that the cost of an average therapy session ranges from $65 to $250 an hour, therapy can feel even more out of reach.

Whether you’re a starving college student, an unemployed adult, or a parent seeking mental health help for your family, these gatekeeping prices can make you feel like therapy is impossible to afford. Fortunately, however, that doesn’t have to be the case! It can be tricky to find the right provider but free online therapy does exist and it can be a vital resource for you and your family.

In this article, we’ll explore the free therapy options that are available for individuals and for families. We’ll also discuss why family counseling can be beneficial for your family.

Affordable Family Counseling Is Within Reach

Talk To A Licensed Family Counselor.

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Why Accessible Mental Health Resources Are Important

Family is an essential part of your development as a human being. Your early interactions with your family lay the groundwork for your understanding of social norms, your beliefs about yourself, and the way you interact with the world around you. This is true for better or for worse— and sadly, for some people, family relationships can be the most traumatic of all.

That doesn’t always mean that a family was physically abusive. Trauma can take many different forms, including neglect, emotional abuse, and a lack of resources. Lack of access to mental health can be especially traumatic for children who grow up with undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions such as anxiety, autism, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

When children go through life undiagnosed, it doesn’t always mean that their parents are abusive or unloving. Instead, in many cases, the problem lies in a simple inability to access the resources the child needs. Many parents may be unfamiliar with the array of mental health resources that are available. If those parents are overwhelmed, overworked, and struggling to make ends meet, they may find it even more difficult to help their child connect with a therapist.

Similarly, many parents are doing their best and have conducted extensive research to learn about the options that could help their child. But if the cost of therapy is prohibitive, a parent may feel helpless because they are unable to afford the care their child needs.

Why Family Counseling is Important

But children aren’t the only ones who can benefit from counseling! Although specialised therapy can be uniquely helpful for children who experience a specific mental health condition, everybody can benefit from counseling, no matter what they’re experiencing or how old they are. And that’s where affordable online counseling comes in.

Counseling can help with a variety of topics including your family dynamic, personalised coping strategies for each member of your family, tips for helping with your family’s emotional regulation, and advice on how to support each other as you navigate life together. Likewise, if any member of your family is experiencing symptoms of an undiagnosed mental health condition, a counsellor can help all of you by providing insight and support for the family, and individualised therapy for any condition.

That's why the availability of free online counseling and free online therapy is essential: the benefits of online family counseling need to be available to as many people as possible.

Lack of Resources; Lack of Results

If a family doesn't have the financial resources to afford family counseling, their family dynamic could suffer. That's why free online counseling and free mental health care for families are so important.

If your family has challenging emotional times and can't navigate those difficulties, free mental health service is just what the family needs. Free online therapy can be a great option to meet everyone’s schedule. The mental health professional undergoes training as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist's role is to make sure that individuals are heard by amplifying their voices to the community of the family.

For a family to function well, they need to respect every other member's views. An excellent family counselor will reiterate that as part of the counseling process. Every family member can speak their mind because they're in a safe online family counseling session. They feel supported by the family unit and the counselor via free online therapy.

group therapy

Hearing Each Other Out

In families, there are often disagreements, and that's natural. Family counseling aims to have a mediator mitigate those arguments so that you don't have to do it on your own. When you can't resolve disputes between the family members, an impartial person, such as a counselor, can help families work out their disagreements.

When family members disagree, free counseling with the best online family counselor can help. The goal of online family counseling is for the mental health professional to be unbiased and to hear all sides. Through online family counseling, free mental health care is an opportunity for each family member to have their voices heard.

Talking About Trauma

There may be trauma in the family that you are afraid to discuss. When you enter a free online therapy family counseling environment, it is a safe and secure place where you can discuss things that may have hurt you. You can confront the member of the family who impacted you emotionally. If you need to, you can ask the family counselor to guide you in remedying or healing the relationship.

Traumatic memories are never easy to dig up, but you're in a safe space when you're in the best online family counseling with a mental health professional who knows about trauma. Talking about these trauma events during free online therapy helps the family address these issues.

The best online family counselor is there to help you and support you through working through those memories so that you can heal. Licensed professional counselors can help you rectify the relationship that you have with your family members through therapy and free treatment options.

in a group therapy session, people put their arms around each other

Affordable Family Counseling Is Within Reach

Talk To A Licensed Family Counselor.

It's Your Turn

Are you the member of the family that everybody seems to ignore? Free online therapy through ReGain is your opportunity to speak your truth. Family counseling online is a place for you to say how you feel and share those emotions with your family members. The family counselor who wants your opinion to be validated will support you.

Just because you differ in your opinion from your family doesn't mean that your feelings aren't valid. The family counselor is there to advocate for you. Online family counseling can be an excellent place for everybody's opinion to be heard and respected, and the mediator is the online family counselor.

To start online therapy, click the button under the images above. You will be guided through a sign-up process, and matching you to a licensed professional based on your answers in the initial questionnaire will begin after you've completed sign-up. Lastly, it is worth noting that you should start the sessions as soon as possible after you sign up to take full advantage of the best online therapy. Below are two ReGain counselor reviews from people experiencing family issues.

Therapist and Counselor Reviews

"Jessica has really helped us to work through some very difficult times after living through two category 5 hurricanes last year with two small children in our household. She has done an excellent job of helping us to identify our own attachment fears and giving us guidance on how to navigate some incredibly trying situations."

"Danny has been a source of calmness in my chaotic life. For the past two years, I have dealt with one life-changing complication after another. Every session with Danny is my emotional/mental regroup hour. He has such an understanding and peaceful demeanor that it makes me think logically about my emotional struggles. Overall, Danny has been very helpful to me during this stressful time in mine and my family's lives."

Put Your Family on the Right Path With Mental Health Treatment

When it comes to family problems, we want to feel like there's hope and that our family can heal. Free online therapy offers hope for family issues. Nobody said that family therapy is easy, but you will be able to talk out even the most complicated family issues with ReGain. The counselors at ReGain are passionate about helping clients get to a place of healing.

Where Can I Find Online Family Counseling? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there any free online therapy?

Free online therapy can be a difficult thing to find, but it isn’t impossible. Online counseling services are becoming more and more common in recent years. Free online therapy often involves signing up for an account and then be paired with a licensed professional counselor with who you will have counseling sessions using a free chat app, instant messenger, email, or even texting. Some nonprofit organizations and religious institutions offer online therapy counseling options, which may or may not meet your needs.

It might be easier for you to find free counseling in the form of group sessions, but this isn’t likely to suit the needs of a family that is searching for help from an online counselor. In addition, many group counseling sessions are more support-centered, meaning that they do not have to be led by licensed professional counselors. Someone who is not trained in therapy might not help a family deal with and move past the issues that led them to search for free online therapy.

You may be looking for an online platform that offers therapy, including cognitive behavior therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, sex therapy, or some other type of behavioral therapy. Online therapists provide various therapy programs and counseling programs and offer online for your own unique therapy process. Research shows that online therapy programs and online counseling programs online therapists provide are just as effective as in-person counseling.

When you do find free therapy online, you’ll want to be sure that you read the fine print. You’ll want to be sure they are offering private online therapy counseling. In addition, any sites may say that their online counseling services are free; they may mean for a short period. If this is the case, you will end up either having to pay for the counseling sessions after the free period or be left trying to find yet another site that offers free online therapy.

Can you get free counseling?

If you are having trouble finding free online therapy, free counseling may be easier to find within your local community. Your local Department of Human Services will often have free counseling available to those who qualify due to income. Families who have Medicaid may also qualify for free therapy visit a limited number of times per month. If you’re a church member, check with your church leadership to see if you can set up meetings with a member of the clergy, who often consider counseling sessions with church members to be a part of their job. If your family is open to group counseling sessions, you may be able to find a free local support group that offers free counseling sessions.

Is there any free psychologist?

Because psychologists are required to have a doctorate level of education, psychologists usually charge for their services. Many professional counselors (such as psychoanalysts or therapists) have master's degrees instead. However, counselors and psychologists of all education levels must meet the standards required by their states' professional licensing boards. All BetterHelp counselors and therapists have at least three years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience. It's important to note that online therapy is typically more affordable than in-person therapy. Both of these professionals offer marriage counseling and can also help with family issues.

If you are a student, a college may offer free therapy options for students to fulfill this part of their schooling. While not all will offer completely free services, those who charge a fee are typically much less expensive than traditional counseling services.

What is the cheapest online therapy?

Traditional therapy counseling services or therapy programs can be expensive without health insurance. Therapy typically costs up to $250 per week. If you can’t find free therapy programs or a free online therapy option you like and are instead considering finding paid online therapy counseling services, there are many affordable counseling offers to choose from. The best online therapy typically is less expensive and offers both marriage counseling and family counseling, among other counseling services.

To figure out which of these therapy counseling services are right for you, check their rates along with what kind of therapy they offer. One may not offer marriage counseling or family counseling. Choose one that suits your needs and your budget.

Are there any free counseling apps?

While free online therapy is still relatively new, there are at least a few options available that offer free counseling sessions via an app. However, the catch to these services is that their free options often don’t involve a licensed therapist or trained counselor. Instead, they rely on volunteers who often receive basic training in listening techniques to offer free services. This is quite different from therapy counseling, which gives you tactics and techniques to deal with and most past your issues. An app that offers free services may also have paid options for counseling sessions with licensed or trained professionals, which are better suited to providing marriage counseling or family counseling.

Is the BetterHelp app free?

If you’re trying to find free therapy, you’ve probably run into BetterHelp. While their fees are less than a traditional therapist, they do not offer free counseling services. Their counseling sessions do cost money, whether you use them online or via the app. This means they are not a good choice for those looking for free online therapy.

Do 7 cups cost money?

7 Cups does offer free online therapy or free counseling via an app. However, 7 Cups’ free services are with “trained listeners,” not a counselor. So while they say they have free counseling, the person you will be connected to will not offer suggestions on dealing with your issue. This makes them a poor choice for complicated issues that require marriage counseling or family counseling.

How can I get free counseling?

If you are looking for free online therapy for mental health and want to ensure that you are going through a licensed therapist, some websites can help you. While face-to-face therapy sessions are harder to find for free, the best online therapy and best online therapy chat groups are more abundant and available at all hours of the day and night.

Mental health services with licensed professional counselors are also available via text chat too. Some sites and counselors offer unlimited messaging therapy for those who battle stress anxiety and depression anxiety.

Does Talkspace cost money?

Talkspace puts those in need of mental health services in touch with a therapist, if necessary, for those who are looking for affordable online therapy, couples therapy, or long-term talk therapy. As effective as face-to-face counseling, Talkspace is a great place to find the contact for counselors and patients in need of mental health care.

Is counseling free?

Not all counseling is free. Many in-person therapy costs and payments are collected when you regularly see mental health licensed therapists. In contrast, most insurance companies cover mental illness and mental health therapy services; not all cover the cost 100-percent. In addition, not all people have health insurance.

If you need to talk to a therapy today and know you do not have mental health coverage to see a licensed therapist, you can opt for online therapy to find live video counselors and trained listeners.

How can Talkspace help me with start therapy?

If you need to talk to a therapist online, therapy Talkspace online therapy is a great start. Talkspace is an affordable therapy option that connects licensed professionals with looking for a therapist online.

Can online therapy help with depression?

Therapy online through therapy programs or counseling programs therapists provide, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help with depression and other mental health conditions. Online therapy programs are just as effective as in-person therapy or counseling.

If you seek treatment for depression, your online or in-person licensed professionals will start with conducting a depression test to determine what treatments may be best for you. One of these might be cognitive behavioral therapy. Seeking mental health care should never make you feel like you did something wrong or are not normal. Online therapy for depression and in-person licensed clinical therapy and counseling are here to help.

Whether in-person therapy or online therapy for depression, treatment is designed to be available when you need someone to talk to or feel like you may be in a life-threatening situation. People around the world utilize therapy programs even minute of the day.

Even just a chat can be great for:

feeling as though someone is there for you, whether online or in-person
getting advice in times of crisis from a professional counselor, and
getting insights about your actions from someone who knows a lot about behavioral health and can help you develop methods for handling your emotions in healthy ways.

What is the difference between marriage and family therapy and counseling?

Both marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors need a master’s degree to practice and are qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Yet, there are some differences, which are many based on the clients they treat. Marriage and family therapists focus on issues within the structure of families and relationships, and not just the individual. They typically specialize in couples or children and adolescent therapy to manage common family problems. Marriage and family therapy’s objective is to resolve problems within a family or relationship, creating a happier family dynamic. They use a systemic approach. Mental health counseling focuses on individuals with specific issues using many different therapies such as cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and psychodynamic approaches. They may specialize in drug addiction counseling and individual’s mental and behavioral conditions. A mental health counselor’s goal is to improve or change behavioral habits that affect an individual’s mental health.

Is family counseling worth it?

If you experience problems within your family unit, family counseling can be a powerful source of support. Family counselors are licensed professionals trained to help couples and families manage problems within their family relationships. Sometimes in relationships, it’s beneficial to have an outside perspective or a mediator to hear the issues at hand and give their input. Family counselors can provide a different approach to issues that the family or couple may not have considered. Family counseling can be very educational and help the family or couple understand each other and improve communication styles to help them work through any issues they may have in the future.

How long does it take to become an MFT?

AMFT, or marriage and family therapist, works with individuals within their relationships and family units to improve and strengthen their relationships. Marriage and family therapists often specialize in adolescent therapy when working with families. They are licensed to diagnose and treat a multitude of mental health disorders. A marriage and family therapist must acquire either an accredited online master's degree or a university in a related field, typically in psychotherapy and family system studies. ACU’s online master of marriage and family therapy takes two years to complete and is one of the best online master’s programs. Most programs accredited online or in-person require at least two years of supervised field experience and the individual to pass state board exams. These state board exams may vary based on the state that they are practicing in. Marriage and family therapists must be licensed in the state that they practice in. Marriage and family therapists need to continue education courses to keep their licenses current. There are many accredited online courses for continued education. If you’re considering becoming a marriage and family therapist, accredited online courses are a great option for those already working and have many things on their plate, such as dealing with their own families. Some of the best online colleges and best online master’s degrees for marriage and family therapy are easily within reach.

Is a counselor a therapist?

Counselors and therapists often use these titles interchangeably. Both professions focus on managing mental health issues and finding ways to cope with them. While both counselors and therapists do share similarities, and you may find a therapist referring to themselves as a counselor and a counselor as a therapist, there are subtle differences to their approach and treatments. Counselors tend to focus on a specific issue and use practical methods and problem-solving to find solutions. Counselors can specialize in various fields such as clinical counseling, administration educational counseling, or adolescent psychology counseling, to name a few. A behavioral counselor is most similar to a therapist and focusing on mental health disorders. There are also career counselors that specialize in helping individuals choose a career path. Counselors do offer similar therapies as therapists as a way to achieve an individual's mental health goals. Some specialized counselors only need a bachelor’s in counseling, while others require a master's degree. Compared to counselors, therapists tend to focus on your feelings and views on the world and how you interact in it. They determine the root cause of an individual’s mental state and work on changing thinking and behavioral patterns. It may not be so important to focus on the person's title helping you as much as the treatment itself. If you can find the right counselor or therapist that can help you overcome any mental health or family issues, that is what’s important.

What is the difference between counseling and therapy?

Both counseling and therapy involve overcoming mental health issues, and they both share the same core values and may use similar therapies. Counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably and share similarities, but there are some key differences. These differences are based on their skills, education, and job responsibilities. Counseling may focus on more specific issues for a short-term period, while therapy tends to be long-term and focuses on behavior and thought processes. Counselors need at least a bachelor’s in counseling, but this varies depending on the state and the particular job. Counseling focuses on the individual, problem-solving, and a more practical approach. For example, career counselors focus on individuals' career paths and guide them through their professional lives. Therapy focuses on interpersonal relationships focusing on an individual’s inner and outer worlds and how they feel. There are many accredited online courses for both counseling and therapy.

If you're still wondering if online therapy is right for you, please contact us at contact@regain.us or check us online at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest & Tumblr.

For more information about mental health, please see:

SAMHSA(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
SAMHSA Facebook, SAMHSA Twitter
Mental Health America
MHA Twitter, MHA Facebook, MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest
WebMD
WebMD Facebook, WebMD Twitter, WebMD Pinterest
NIMH(National Institute of Mental Health)
NIMH Facebook, NIMH Twitter,NIMH YouTube
APA(American Psychiatric Association)
APA Twitter, APA Facebook, APA LinkedIn, APA Instagram

Where can I get immediate help?

For mental health emergencies, please contact the resources below for immediate help.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1-800-950-6264
National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

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