How Much Does A Psychologist Cost, And Is It Worth It?
Are you considering seeing a psychologist, but you’re not sure it’s going to be worth the cost? Maybe you’re not even sure that you need to see someone, and the potential high cost is making you second guess it. Maybe you’re interested in going, but you don’t think you can afford it. Well, you’re in luck because we’re going to dive into everything you need to know, including how much a psychologist costs and the worth of seeing a psychologist. From there, you can make your own decisions.
Why see a psychologist
There may be many reasons you should consider seeing a psychologist, and we’re going to go over many of them right here. That way, you can rest assured you’re making an informed decision. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, however, and there may be entirely different reasons for you to speak with a psychologist. The following are just some of the more common reasons why someone might decide that a psychologist is going to be a great investment for them.
You have a mental illness
If you currently have a mental illness and you know this either because you have self-diagnosed or because you’ve been diagnosed by someone previously, it’s a good idea to talk with a psychologist. They can help you better understand what you’re going through, and they can make sure that you’re getting the help you need to make it through your life in the best way possible. No matter what kind of mental illness you’re experiencing, a mental health professional is a crucial step in helping you get the life you deserve back.
You suspect you may have a mental illness
If you’re not sure, but you think you might have a mental illness, this is a great reason to talk with a mental health professional. You can talk to them about what you are experiencing or feeling, and you can get feedback from them on whether you have a mental illness or not. But keep in mind that just because you don’t have a diagnosable condition doesn’t mean that you can’t reap the benefits of talking to a professional anyway.
You are going through a traumatic event/dramatic change
Whether you just moved to a brand new place, your parents are getting divorced (whether you’re a child or an adult), you’re going through a divorce, you’re thinking about changing careers, or you recently lost someone close to you, you may want to talk to a mental health professional. Whatever type of change you may be experiencing, they can help you get to the bottom of your feelings and start to understand what this change will mean for you as an individual. They can help you understand yourself and your future.
You are in a relationship
If you are in any type of relationship, mental health assistance might be helpful. Relationships are difficult, and they require a whole lot of giving, compromise, sacrifice, and more. They are going to require a lot out of you. For that reason, it can be a good idea to talk to a professional and find out more about yourself and your partner. Couples counseling can also be a great idea in these situations and can help the two of you learn to communicate better as a couple.
You are completely healthy
Anyone and everyone can benefit from mental health therapy and talking to a professional about what they're going through. You don’t need to be struggling at all to see changes and improvements. After all, a mental health professional can work with you to help you maintain a healthy mental state and tweak any areas in which you may require assistance. Not only that, but they can give you coping mechanisms for those times in your life where things aren’t quite as fine.
Is it worth it?
No matter what your circumstances are, you can see changes and improvements as a result of working with a mental health professional. You’ll be able to talk to them about whatever you want, which can be especially helpful if you don't have someone in your life you can turn to about things you may be going through. Rather than having to fight to be heard over everyone else in your life, your psychologist is one person who will pay attention only to you and what you have to say.
A mental health professional is primarily there to help you figure out what’s best for you, but that’s not the only thing that they can do. They can also give you advice about your situation and help to steer you in the right direction. But you have to talk to them first to get their help.
The short answer is that talking with a psychologist can definitely be worth it. You can gain the ability to express yourself in a way that helps your future self. A psychologist can help to improve any mental health conditions you may have, increase your self-esteem, and work through any other situations you may find yourself in. So, if you’re deciding whether it’s going to be worth the money, in many cases it’s a strong yes.
What does it cost?
Mental health professionals have completed a great deal of schooling, and they may have done a great deal of additional training after finishing college or graduate school. That kind of expertise does come at a cost. Of course, that cost is going to depend on just where you’re working with a psychologist and what type of psychologist you’re working with. Different areas have different pay scales, and different types of psychologists (such as school psychologists versus clinical psychologists) earn different amounts.
If you’re looking to hire a psychologist, you can expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $200+ per hour. This rate could cover an in-person session or you could look at sessions with online therapists who may be closer to the low end of these costs. Online therapy has grown in popularity over the years, and many people have found working with someone online to be just as effective as working with someone in person. Because it does not involve a physical location, online therapy may be more cost-effective than in-person therapy and the pool of professionals you'll have to choose from is larger.
No matter what type of psychologist you’re going to, you want to make sure that you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing and who will give you the best possible help.
Keep in mind that a mental health professional’s cost is only one of many different aspects that you want to consider when deciding whether to work with them. You want to know what kind of background the individual has, including their educational experience, their work history, and the type of therapy that they provide.
Online therapy may be more convenient and affordable
When you’re ready to find a psychologist, you want to make sure you have the best person for the job, and that used to mean being limited. You were limited to people in your area or within driving distance and limited to appointments that fell into just the right time slots. But that isn’t the case anymore because therapy is changing just like everything else. Rather than being limited by any of these things, you have the freedom to find someone that you can feel comfortable with and that you can meet at any time.
Regain is an online therapy platform that allows you to interact with mental health professions from anywhere in the country. These professionals are the best in their fields, and they can work with you on any mental health concerns you may have. Not only that but they can meet with you when it’s convenient for you. All you need to do is log on to the website from anywhere with an internet connection, using any internet-connected device. From there, you’re all set. You can sit back and have your session wherever you’re the most comfortable, and it may not be long before you start to see positive changes in yourself.
FAQs
How much does a psychologist cost per hour?
Deciding to see a psychologist is a great first step towards making your mental health a priority. However, therapy costs can be high at first glance and might scare people into thinking it is a cost that they are unable to incur. The average cost per session can range from $60 to $240 per session.
The wide range of therapy costs is because where you live influences the price you’re paying as well as other factors such as training (most therapists have at least a master’s degree, but many have doctoral-level education), insurance coverage (therapists carry insurance and have to pay towards it each month), specialization (some work with adults and some focus on working with children and adolescents), and the length of the therapy session (sessions may be an hour or 30 minutes). In addition, the cost mental health practitioners face in running their practice influences the hourly prices they charge.
The average cost per session with a psychologist based in a major city in the United States is between $100-$250 per session. In more remote or rural places, therapy costs are typically lower. These ranges refer to therapy costs without insurance.
When it comes to therapy costs, it’s important to remember that therapists don’t take on 40 clients a week. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have time for necessary administrative tasks. Therefore, they are not billing $250/hour for 40 hours a week, and therapists don’t get paid if they aren’t seeing clients. Additionally, most therapists don’t get paid and then get to pocket their entire hourly rate. Rather, that rate is often split among fees related to the practice, such as rent, insurance, and other bills.
The cost estimates above refer to therapy that occurs in person. Less expensive options include online therapy or working with therapists who offer a sliding scale. The average cost of therapy online ranges from $30-$120. Therapists who offer a sliding scale consider the average cost of therapy and how much the client can afford. The amount the client will pay is typically established during the first session.
Depending on the issues you seek help for, you may be eligible for free or low-cost options. For example, if you seek help regarding domestic violence-related issues, the National Domestic Violence hotline offers a wide array of services to its callers.
While the average cost of therapy might appear high on its face, it is always beneficial to talk to multiple psychologists in a variety of settings to get a sense of the cost and determine whether you’ll be able to afford to work with the psychologist long-term or see if they’re willing to work with the budget you have.
Are psychologists covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans cover some level of mental health counseling. However, the amount of coverage that a person will pay varies from plan to plan. In some instances, you may be responsible for paying a deductible, and other times co-pays and co-insurance may also apply. Online therapy, group therapy, and emergency mental healthcare are also often covered by insurance. Some insurance plans require that you see a psychologist who is in-network, whereas others allow you to see any psychologist you want. Some psychologists might not take insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, however, if that provider is considered to be in-network, you’ll be able to submit your bill to your insurance for reimbursement or partial coverage. It's always best to check with your insurance provider to see what they cover before meeting your therapist.
How many years of schooling do you need to be a psychologist?
To become a clinical psychologist, you will need an undergraduate degree plus a master's or a doctorate, depending on your specialty. A master's is an additional two to three years of study, while a doctorate is an additional four to seven years of school. So, in total, a clinical psychologist will spend between eight to twelve years in higher education.
It is also important to note that licensing requirements vary by state and specialty, meaning there may be additional licensure requirements beyond just receiving a degree.
Do you have to get a referral to see a psychologist?
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist; however, if you have a good relationship with your primary care physician, you can certainly ask if they have a recommendation for a psychologist or mental health counselor who they think would be a good fit.
Where do psychologists work?
Psychologists work in a wide variety of places. In fact, many psychologists work in more than one setting. For example, a psychologist who sees clients may also teach a psychology course at a local university.
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