If you find yourself in this situation, there is no shame in negotiating your therapy rate because doing so may be essential for receiving the mental health support you need. Read on to learn how to negotiate how much you pay for therapy.
Therapy Is Often Expensive
Our society currently lives with an unfortunate reality … it is very expensive to maintain our mental health. Amongst those surveyed, 37% had to quit therapy due to financial burdens. For those who haven’t had to quit their treatment due to finances, 49% of those surveyed admitted they were concerned about affording their therapy sessions moving forward. While psychotherapy is a financial burden, it has also been proven to save costs in the long term. Seeking mental health care can prevent a mental health condition from accelerating, thus decreasing the overall amount of money spent on healthcare across one’s lifespan.
How to Negotiate Your Therapy Rate
Many therapists offer a sliding scale rate for a limited number of individuals. A sliding scale is a discounted fee that therapists offer to make mental health care more accessible. It is a common practice in the mental health field, so let this ease any uncertainty you may have about asking for a reduced rate. There is an art to negotiating your rate, though. Before reaching out to a therapist and broaching the conversation, there are a few steps to handle on your end, like setting a budget and understanding the limits of sliding scale offerings.
Set Your Budget
It is safe to assume the majority of people would like to save money where they can, especially when it comes to healthcare. However, money is part of the therapeutic experience, and even paying a few dollars can represent the power of investing in your well-being. Holding the value of paying for therapy in mind, it is important to begin by setting your budget. Take a look at your monthly finances and realistically assess how much you can afford to allocate to therapy on a monthly basis. So, if you can afford $120, that is OK. That means you have a weekly therapy budget of $30. If you can afford $700, that means you have a weekly therapy budget of $175.
Understanding Sliding Scale
Many therapists will list their rates on their therapy directory profile, along with their sliding scale range. This can make the process of finding a therapist much easier.
Always Ask
There is no harm in asking, though. If you find someone who you think would be a perfect match for you and they are quite a bit out of your price range, it is still worth reaching out to them. Even if they are unable to work with you, you can ask them for referrals to providers with a lower fee who may have a similar therapeutic approach. Open Path Collective is a great resource for seeking out diverse sliding-scale providers. All sessions range between $30 to $60 and the directory features therapists who are committed to providing affordable care to those who need it the most.
How to Expand Your Options
While money is part of the therapeutic process, many of us may experience seasons where we simply don’t have any expendable cash. There is no shame in this, and you still deserve care. Consider reaching out to your insurance company and ask them if they have any providers that are covered by your plan. Do a google search for any local mental health non-profits as many hire therapists-in-training and offer free services.
A Word From Verywell
Therapy is expensive, but that shouldn’t hold you back from seeking care. It can feel daunting to assess how you can afford therapy when in the midst of emotional hardship, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Even emailing therapists in your area for referrals can be a start.
