Hi, I’m Ilia Jones, Licensed Professional Counselor in Suwanee, Georgia. I wanted to talk to you about the cost of therapy and how to use your health insurance to help pay for it. A lot of people are unsure about what their insurance covers or how to find out.

The first thing to do is call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask if you have outpatient mental health benefits. Ask what your copay or coinsurance is per session, whether you have a deductible that has to be met first, and whether there is a limit on the number of sessions per year. You can also ask if you need preauthorization before starting therapy and whether telehealth sessions are covered.

Next, ask the insurance company for a list of in‑network mental health providers in your area, or search their website’s provider directory. Once you have some names, you can call the therapists’ offices to confirm they are in network with your specific plan and to ask what they charge per session. Many therapists will also tell you their private‑pay rate if you do not want to use insurance or do not have coverage.

If you do not have insurance, or if your out‑of‑pocket costs are still too high, ask potential therapists if they offer a sliding scale based on income, or if they know of community agencies, training clinics, or online services that provide lower‑cost counseling. Some people choose to come less frequently, such as every other week, to make therapy more affordable over time. The goal is to help you find a way to receive consistent support without creating unmanageable financial stress.