How To Find Affordable and Convenient Counselling

Traditional therapy can change your life – and empty your wallet. The cost of in-person treatment is $100 or more per session, so it’s not always viable. Luckily, there are ways to find affordable and convenient counseling, such as by choosing online therapy platforms. 

This article will discuss tips on finding affordable and convenient counseling and how much you can expect to pay.

Cost comparison between BetterHelp & in-person therapy

How To Get Affordable and Convenient Therapy in Your Area

If you’re short on cash but want in-person therapy, there are ways to get the professional support you require. Some tips include:

• Check with local community centers, schools, and hospitals, as these sometimes provide low-cost or free counseling.

• Ask local therapists if they do a sliding-scale fee based on your income or if they do pro-bono work. 

• Ask your insurance company about covering the cost of therapy. Check what therapist services in your area are covered by the insurance provider so it could contribute towards your therapy costs. 

Benefits of Online Therapy 

An alternative to in-person therapy is online therapy. This takes the form of online therapy platforms, such as BetterHelp and Talkspace, that cost a fraction of the amount you’ll have to pay for in-person therapy. You’ll pay an average of $65 per week. 

Unlike in-person therapy, which can cost $100 per session, you’ll get at least one session per week although this can be more depending on the therapy plan to which you’re subscribed. 

You’ll gain access to various therapies, including hypnotherapy, in which therapists use hypnotic techniques such as relaxation and imagery. 

You can also have the therapy anywhere you want – if you use an app on your phone, you can have “walk and talk” therapy wherever you are! 

Here are some popular online therapy platforms:

Talkspace. It costs between $276 to $516 per month, but it’s covered by insurance. Talkspace has a vast network of providers, such as social workers and therapists. It provides therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and substance abuse. 

BetterHelp. Offers monthly plans and costs between $240 to $360 per month. Its therapists specialize in anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, and relationships.  

E-Therapy Cafe. Costs between $196 and 360 monthly and offers discounts for students, first responders, and veterans. It’s a smaller platform but provides individual therapy and military, bridal, and LGBTQ+ counseling. 

Cerebral. Costs $295 per month. It provides medication and therapy for conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Some things to look for in affordable and convenient counseling include the following:

Licensed providers. The therapists have to be licensed to work in your state. 

Encrypted messages. This is especially important with email therapy and text chats with your therapist so your messages remain confidential and secure. 

Compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means the platform follows regulations to ensure its subscribers’ security and privacy. 

Is Online CBT Therapy Effective?

Online therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is as effective at treating moderate depression and anxiety as in-person CBT. It helps you become aware of your negative thought patterns to gain clarity and positively deal with them. 

Online CBT has many benefits, which include the following:

• It makes therapy accessible. Whether you want to engage in therapy via Zoom or email, you can find an e-therapy channel that suits your personality and lifestyle. 
• It doesn’t require you to leave your home. If you’re depressed or anxious, attending in-person therapy can make it difficult. With e-therapy, you can have sessions in the comfort of your home. 
• It’s beneficial for therapists, allowing them to treat more people in less time and without in-person therapy resources being required. 

Types of Online Therapy and Where To Get Them

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This popular type of therapy is usually targeted at relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety. It works by changing automatic negative thoughts (ANTS), words, phrases, or images that cause intense emotions. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is available online platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, E-therapy cafe, and Cerebral. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

This is a type of CBT therapy in which therapists help their clients cope with intense feelings so they don’t feel overwhelmed. A study published in JMIR Mental Health found that when DBT was delivered via email, it effectively decreased the intensity of symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Dialectical behavior therapy is available on BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Brightside platforms. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

This therapy involves using eye movements or sounds to help clients process traumatic memories. It can be done online, such as via video sessions. It’s available on platforms like Zocdoc and Talkspace. Research via Frontiers in Psychology has found that online EMDR therapy reduces PTSD intensity. 

Conclusion 

You have many options if you’re looking for affordable and convenient counseling. Online therapy platforms provide you with less expensive therapy than in-person therapy while offering you the convenience of having therapy in the comfort of your home. 

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Giulia Thompson

Giulia Thompson studied psychology at university and loved it. She wishes it was her major subject alongside English! She's played “catch up,” with loads of experience since college as a journalist covering wellness, health, and mental health.

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