If you cannot afford therapy, here is where to find free and low-cost mental health care.
Therapy and mental health counseling may cost $100 to $200 or more per session at standard private rates — more for a psychiatrist. For someone without insurance, or with insurance that covers little, that cost puts regular care out of reach. There are alternatives as noted below. Community mental health centers, federally funded clinics, government insurance programs, nonprofits, and volunteer therapist networks all provide counseling at no cost or on a sliding scale tied to income.
This page focuses on free and low-cost in-person and telehealth mental health services. For telehealth apps and websites that handle general medical care including mental health, see the guide to telehealth apps for discounted care.
- IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Check your insurance first — including Medicaid
If you have any form of health insurance, mental health coverage is likely included. Federal law requires most health plans to cover mental health services at the same level as other medical care. Check your plan's member directory for in-network therapists, which will limit your cost to a standard copay.
If you have Medicaid, mental health services — including therapy and psychiatric care — are covered in every state, typically at no cost or a copay of a few dollars. Medicaid is the largest single payer for mental health services in the country. Many people who qualify have not enrolled. A single adult earning under roughly $20,000 a year may qualify in most states, with higher thresholds for families. Check your eligibility and find your state's program at https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/state-profiles.
If your condition requires medication management rather than therapy alone, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner may be what you need. If so and that is the medical advice you get, see the free and low-cost psychiatric page. Different options are listed there as well.
Medicare covers outpatient mental health care as well. After meeting the Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved cost for sessions with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who accepts Medicare assignment. New Medicare enrollees receive a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" visit that includes a free depression screening, and all enrollees receive a free annual wellness visit that can include a mental health referral. Use the provider finder at medicare.gov to locate therapists who accept Medicare in your area, or call 1-800-633-4227.
Community mental health centers
Free and sliding-scale mental health centers operate in communities across the country. These centers are staffed by licensed professionals and typically treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, trauma, substance use, and other conditions. Some operate in connection with local universities or social service offices. To find one near you, contact your county's health department and ask about community mental health services, or use the locator at the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics at https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/.
Federally funded community health centers (FQHCs) also provide mental health services on a sliding scale — including at no cost for patients with no income. Many now offer telehealth appointments for behavioral health. Find one near you at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/. For more on how these centers work for telehealth visits specifically, see the free and sliding-scale telehealth services page. For in-person free clinic locations in your state, see health care clinics by county and state.
Open Path Collective — reduced-rate therapy nationwide
Open Path Collective is a nonprofit network of more than 35,000 licensed therapists who offer sessions at reduced rates to clients who cannot afford standard private practice fees. There is a one-time lifetime membership fee of $65. After that, individual therapy sessions cost $40 to $70. Sessions with supervised student interns cost $30. Couples and family therapy runs $40 to $80 per session.
Open Path serves people who cannot afford market rates and have a household income below $100,000 a year. Both in-person and online therapists are available across all 50 states. Visit https://openpathcollective.org/.
University and college training clinics
Psychology and counseling departments at many universities — including community colleges — operate training clinics that serve the public at free or very low cost. Sessions are conducted by graduate student clinicians working under close supervision by licensed faculty. Fees are often $0 to $30 per session. To find a clinic near your area, call the psychology or counseling department at local colleges and universities, or search the directory maintained by the Association of Psychology Training Clinics at https://aptc.org/.
Nonprofit and faith-based counseling
Several national nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost mental health counseling as part of their broader services. There are organizations in local communities that provide limited or full scale counseling directly to people that live within their communities. Availability, eligibility rules, and application requirements vary by location, organization and area.
Catholic Charities operates counseling programs at some locations across the country that serve people of all backgrounds and income levels. Services may include individual therapy, group programs, and support for people dealing with trauma, family challenges, and grief. Find a location at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/, or see the NHPB Catholic Charity overview.
Jewish Family Services may provide mental health counseling at reduced or no cost for people dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and other conditions. Services are open to people of all faiths. Find a local agency at https://www.jfc.com/locations, or see the NHPB guide on Jewish Family Services
The Salvation Army operates Community Counseling Centers at some locations that provide free individual and group therapy for people with very low incomes, those who are uninsured, and those who are homeless. Programs vary by location. Find a local center at the NHPB Salvation Army page.
The YMCA may also offers low-cost and sliding-scale mental health and wellness services at some locations. See our dedicated page about YMCA programs that help struggling people.
Employee Assistance Programs — often free through your employer
If you are employed, your employer may offer an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. EAPs often provide free, confidential short-term counseling — typically three to eight sessions — at no cost to the employee. They are completely separate from your health insurance and do not affect your employment record. EAPs are common among larger employers and many public sector jobs, including first responders, school districts, and government agencies. Ask your employer's human resources department whether an EAP is available.
Veterans
Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can access free mental health services including therapy, psychiatry, PTSD treatment, substance use counseling, and crisis support. The VA Mental Health Services line is 877-222-8387. Veterans not yet enrolled can apply at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply. The VA also operates Vet Centers — community-based counseling centers separate from VA medical centers — that provide readjustment counseling and mental health services to combat veterans and their families at no cost. Find a Vet Center at va.gov/find-locations.
Support groups
Support groups provide peer connection and shared experience for people dealing with specific mental health conditions. Participation is generally free and available both in person and online. Mental Health America maintains a directory of specialized support groups and local referrals at https://mhanational.org./.
Hotlines and referral services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a free, confidential, 24-hour helpline that provides referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based programs. It serves people with no insurance as well as those who are insured. The number is 1-800-662-4357.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates a free HelpLine that provides information about symptoms, treatments, and local resources including community mental health centers. The HelpLine is not a crisis line — it is for information and referrals. Call 800-950-6264, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, or email [email protected]..
As indicated above, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Negotiating with private therapists
If you prefer a specific therapist who is not affiliated with a reduced-cost program, it is worth asking directly whether they offer a sliding scale or reduced fee based on income. Many therapists in private practice are willing to negotiate, particularly if part of the fee can be paid upfront. If individual sessions are too costly, also ask whether the therapist offers group sessions at a lower per-person rate. Nothing prevents a therapist from reducing fees, and asking directly is a reasonable step before ruling out a provider.
Disclaimer: Program availability, eligibility requirements, and services vary by location and change over time. Verify current details directly with each organization before relying on any specific information on this page. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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