Therapy costs

Therapy costs refer to the fees clients pay for mental health services such as psychotherapy, counseling, and psychological evaluations. Average therapy session prices in the United States range from $100 to $200 per hour according to the American Psychological Association.

Insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield or UnitedHealthcare often cover 60% to 80% of in-network therapy costs after copays or deductibles are met, as reported by YourInsurance.info. Out-of-network therapy providers usually require clients to pay full session rates upfront, then submit claims for partial reimbursement–often 50% to 70% of allowed amounts.

High-deductible insurance plans frequently result in clients paying full therapy costs until meeting deductible thresholds; in 2023, average individual deductibles surpassed $1,700 (KFF). Medicaid generally covers therapy costs with no or minimal copayments; covered services include individual therapy and family counseling.

Private insurers may limit total annual covered sessions–for example, Aetna commonly caps coverage at 20 visits per benefit year unless medically necessary. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp charge between $60 and $90 per week, typically not billing insurance directly but providing receipts for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Sliding scale therapists adjust fees based on income, with examples like Open Path Collective offering sessions from $30 to $60. Out-of-pocket therapy costs are tax-deductible if they exceed 7.5% of a filer’s adjusted gross income under IRS medical expense rules.

Employer-sponsored Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often provide free initial therapy sessions–commonly three to eight per calendar year–as part of workplace benefits packages.