Where Can I Find A Free Psychologist? Find Options For No- And Low-Cost Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you get therapy for free?

It can be hard to find free counseling, but it is possible to find free or low-cost counseling services if you look in the right places. You can get free therapy from religious institutions and community centers in your local area. If you’re a student, you might be able to get free counseling from your college or university. Often, if you search the Internet, you will find free support groups that you can attend. For example, if you are seeking an eating disorder support group, you can search the web for “eating disorder support group near me.” Although peer support groups are not the same as group therapy led by a psychologist counselor or therapist, they can be helpful, especially if you are on the waitlist to see a counselor and haven’t been able to get in yet. Online counseling through online therapy sites is one tool you can use to see a licensed provider that is more affordable than traditional in-person counseling. Often, when you get therapy through a solely online mental health website, you do not have to wait for the amount that you would have to wait to see a provider who also practices in person.

How much does it cost to go to a psychologist?

To see a psychologist for therapy or counseling services, it can cost anywhere from about $70-$250 without insurance. With insurance, you may find counseling costs much more affordable. Insurance can sometimes be the key to free or low-cost services, particularly if you are in an income bracket where you would not be able to afford services that are not free or low-cost. If you have certain forms of insurance, your insurance company may cover therapy in full, or you may pay a co-pay as low as approximately $20 per session. Some therapists work on a sliding scale rate, so consider looking for a provider who meets your needs and offers counseling on a sliding scale basis. If you are wondering how much a session with a particular psychologist costs, check their website or contact them for pricing information. They will be able to tell you the price you can expect to pay per session as well as options to make it more affordable. For example, many providers will be able to tell you what kind of insurance they take, if they work on a sliding scale rate, or anything else they know of that will make therapy more affordable for you. 

Where can I get free Counselling?

You can get free counseling from a variety of resources. Community centers often offer free or low-cost counseling. Another place that frequently offers free or low-cost counseling is educational institutions. If you attend a place of worship such as a church or synagogue, check with your community leaders or people and see what your community has to offer. Often, religious institutions such as churches provide free counseling of various sorts. Be sure to check with your insurance company anytime that you are looking for free or low-cost mental or physical health care services. Your insurance provider will be able to tell you who they cover in terms of mental health care providers. They will give you recommendations based on your location, who is likely to take new clients at this time, and your individual therapeutic needs. For example, if you are hoping to see a psychologist that works with families, your insurance will be able to tell you what they cover in that realm. Alternatively, if you are seeking a psychologist to see on an individual basis, they will tell you who is available to you, or at least, they’ll direct you in how to start looking for your therapeutic match. Another person who might be able to help you find a provider that meets your needs is your primary care physician or general doctor. You can explain to them a little bit about what’s going on in your life and ask for a referral to a mental health provider. If you search the internet or call your insurance preemptively and find a specific psychologist or other mental health care provider who takes your insurance that you want to see, give your doctor their name and ask if they would be willing to write you a referral to see that person.

Can therapists tell when you are lying?

When you relay events of your life to a mental health provider, they should believe you. In therapy, you should be able to have the space to talk about anything you want to talk about without being judged or accused of lying. The goal is to have a therapist that you are comfortable with being honest with. Therapy cannot be effective unless you are honest with your therapist and honest with yourself. If you are not comfortable enough to be upfront with your therapist, ask yourself why. Like anyone else, a therapist may or may not be able to tell when you’re lying, but it is their job to listen to you and guide you as you work through real issues in your life. The chances are that even if your therapist thought you were lying, they wouldn’t accuse you. A therapist is there to hear about your experiences, and a good therapist will understand that your perspective differs from theirs.

Can I talk to a psychologist online for free?

There are free online support services such as hotlines that are available for people struggling with their mental health. However, free support hotlines are generally run by volunteers who have not licensed psychologists. Although free online support services such as hotlines and support via web chat are important, they aren’t a replacement for a psychologist, so it is very unlikely that you will be able to talk to a psychologist online for free. The exception to this is if your insurance covers a therapist that happens to provide online therapy or if you attend an institution such as a school or church that offers online therapy.

If you are looking for free or low-cost services, consider reaching out to a local community center or organization. Sometimes, you will reach out to a free hotline as your first step, and you will be able to gain knowledge on how to seek ongoing mental health care moving forward. Although volunteers that work with hotlines are not psychologists, they are knowledgeable people that are there to help, and sometimes, they will be able to help you make the first step toward seeing a psychologist, therapist, or counselor. Online counseling is another affordable option. 

Does talking to a psychologist help?

Talking to a psychologist is extremely helpful and life-changing for many individuals. Studies prove that therapy is effective for a variety of concerns. You can seek individual counseling, couples counseling, group therapy, or family therapy. When you talk to a psychologist, you can talk about anything that’s on your mind. That, in and of itself, can be helpful. It’s great to have someone to vent to. Going to counseling or therapy can help you with mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression, relationship issues, trouble with school or work, and more.

Do psychologists take insurance?

Many psychologists take and welcome insurance as a payment method or part of the payment method that you’ll use to cover the cost of therapy. If you are low-income, you may be able to get an insurance plan that covers therapy or the majority of your therapy costs. That is one of the best ways that you can find free or low-cost counseling; to use your insurance plan or get one if you aren’t insured already. If you are looking for healthcare insurance but do not currently have it, you can visit healthcare.gov or contact-free information hotline such as 211 in the United States. A free information hotline will, at the very least, guide you toward resources that’ll help you. You deserve to see a psychologist, therapist, or counselor that’ll understand and support you, so don’t give up. Keep looking for the right therapeutic fit, and remember that you’re not alone.

Are there free psychologists?

There are ways to see a psychologist for free. The most popular way that a person would be able to see a psychologist for free is if they have insurance that covers a psychologist visit in full. Seeing a psychologist, therapist, or counselor can help you with a wide range of mental health concerns or general life issues. You can see a provider who specializes in particular mental health disorders or forms of therapy. For example, if you struggle with mental health disorders such as OCD or PTSD, you may see a provider who specializes in that mental health condition. You can also look for someone who specializes in working with specific demographic groups such as children and adolescents or someone who practices a specific therapy modality such as art therapy, EMDR, DBT, or ACT. If the first mental health professional you see isn’t a good fit, know that you can always switch providers. A mental health provider is there to help, and sometimes, it takes a couple of tries to find the right person.

You may also be in a situation where you can see a free psychologist due to community resources or an educational institution that you attend. Financial barriers are a big issue when it comes to mental health care treatment, but there are resources available that are low-cost or free. Always check with your insurance company to see what they cover, or look for an Insurance plan based on your finances. Also, consider options that are more affordable than traditional counseling such as online therapy or seeing a provider on a sliding scale rate.

How can I get mental help for free?

There are a variety of free hotlines that you can contact when you need emotional support. Many hotlines are also adept at providing you with mental health resources or suggestions for care when you don’t know where to turn. Here are some free resources:

The Lifeline

The Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is available 24/7 and has a website full of resources and information in addition to their hotline service.

Crisis Text Line

To contact the crisis text line, type “HOME” to 741741.

NEDA

They also offer a web chat option on their website, which is available on Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern standard time and 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern standard time on Fridays.

SAMHSA

SAMHSA offers resources for family to learn about substance use as well as a treatment locator tool.

NAMI

The national alliance on mental illness (NAMI) website provides extensive information and resources regarding mental illness and mental health concerns. There are many support groups that offer free support to individuals with mental health conditions and familyof those with a mental health condition. Support groups can be found both online and in person.

Is there a free online therapist?

It is unlikely that you will find free therapy online. However, if your insurance company covers mental health services like therapy in full, you will be able to talk to a mental health provider for free online if they offer remote sessions. Although it is not free, online therapy is a far more affordable option. If you’re wondering how to find a therapist, you can take a number of routes. First, you can contact your insurance provider or look at your insurance provider’s website to find a list of mental health providers that take your health care insurance. Another option is to search the internet for a provider that works with specific mental health disorders, therapy modalities, or demographic groups. For example, if you want to see someone who specializes in trauma, you can search “trauma therapist near me” on your search engine of choice. Then, you can contact them for rates and insurance information. Online therapy directories may also be beneficial when looking for a provider based in your area.

Is BetterHelp Counselling free?

It’s not free, but it is far less expensive than traditional in-person counseling, coming in at $60 to $80 per week (billed monthly). For more information on BetterHelp’s cost please reference our FAQ. Without insurance, seeing a counselor in person can be up to around $200 per session. The therapist and counselors at BetterHelp are licensed mental health professionals. When you seek a counselor or therapist, it is vital to make sure that they are licensed. Speaking to volunteers or attending volunteer-run support groups for familyor individuals living with mental illness can be helpful, but it isn’t a substitute for medical or mental health advice from a professional when professional support is beneficial or necessary. Often, a person’s support network will consist of family, friends, individuals in a support group, and mental health providers such as therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists. 

How do I get a therapist with no money?

If you are low income, it is likely that you qualify for insurance that covers all or most of the cost of therapy sessions from particular providers. If you live in the United States, don’t have insurance, and are having trouble figuring out what is available in your state, you can call 211 and ask for help. They will know where to go, whether online or in person, to get started on the process of applying for insurance. You can also search for state insurance in your state online.

Additionally, you may be able to get vouchers or go to community centers for low-cost care. For some mental health concerns or mental health services, scholarships are even available. You can also take advantage of employee assistance programs at your workplace. What employee assistance programs do is aid their employees in seeking care, so be sure to ask your employer what your employee assistance program offers.

Why is therapy so expensive?

There are a lot of costs affiliated with being a therapist. For example, the rental space of a therapist’s office can be tremendously high. This is one of the reasons that online therapy is generally so much cheaper. A therapist must work to gain licensure, but if they practice solely remotely or through an online therapy site, they do not have to rent an office. People might see a therapist for a variety of reasons. Therapy can be highly beneficial for those experiencing relationship issues, concerns related to school or work, anger problems, or mental health disorders. It can also help with stress management, life transitions, or grief and loss. While counseling or therapy can have a high price tag, there are affordable options out there.

Where can I talk to a therapist for free?

Additionally, you may be able to talk to a therapist for free at an educational institution you attend, such as a college or university. Many religious organizations offer free therapy or counseling. Online counseling through online therapy websites will not generally be free, but if you find a mental health professional who takes your insurance and your insurance covers therapy in full, you will be able to get free therapy online.

Is there a hotline I can call just to talk?

If you just need to talk and aren’t sure where to turn, calling a hotline is an excellent idea. If you contact the Lifeline, for example, you can talk to someone about a variety of concerns that might be on your mind. Sometimes, people also visit chat rooms to talk to other people or use other free online chat options. If this is something that you choose to do, be sure to practice online safety measures. Hotlines are an excellent and vital resource for our communities. That said, if you are looking to improve your mental health long-term or need someone to talk to you on an ongoing basis, it is important to explore your therapy options. You can contact your health insurance provider to see what they cover, or you can look for therapy through an online counseling service.

How much does it cost to go to a psychiatrist without insurance?

Without insurance, going to a psychiatrist can cost around $200 per session. This amount will vary substantially depending on where you seek psychiatry, however, and it is possible to see someone at a more affordable rate. Psychiatrists can treat and diagnose mental health conditions and can be a helpful part of your support network. If you believe that you may have a mental health condition, it is important to see a medical provider such as a psychiatrist who can evaluate your symptoms. When you’re working to improve your mental health or to manage mental health disorders, you might see a psychiatrist in addition to a therapist. Check with your insurance company to see where they can provide in terms of seeing health professionals such as therapists and psychiatrists, and don’t be afraid to explore other options for payment if you need to. 

References:

2-1-1