The cost of therapy is one of the most common barriers that keeps people from getting the mental health support they need. It is a real concern, and it deserves a real conversation. Therapy can be expensive, but there are more options for making it affordable than most people realize. This guide walks through what therapy actually costs, the trade-offs of using insurance, and several alternatives that can bring quality care within reach.
What Therapy Typically Costs
In the Denver metro area, individual therapy sessions generally range from $100 to $250 per session, depending on the therapist’s level of experience, their specialization, and whether they accept insurance. Some therapists with advanced credentials or niche expertise charge above that range. Our current rates are available here.
That per-session cost can add up quickly, especially when therapy works best as a weekly commitment over several months. Understanding your options for reducing that cost is important, because the answer to “I cannot afford therapy” is often not “therapy is not available to me.” It is “there is a version of therapy that fits my budget, and I have not found it yet.”
The Insurance Question
Using health insurance to pay for therapy seems like the obvious solution, but it comes with trade-offs that are worth understanding before you decide.
Insurance covers services that are considered “medically necessary,” which means your therapist must establish a clinical diagnosis to justify treatment. For many people seeking counseling, that framing does not fit. They are dealing with difficult life transitions, relationship stress, grief, burnout, or a general sense that something is not working, but they would not describe themselves as having a mental health disorder. Insurance does not typically cover “I am going through a hard time.” It covers diagnosable conditions.
For those who do have a diagnosable condition, insurance can significantly reduce the per-session cost. But there are several factors to weigh. Some people are uncomfortable having a mental health diagnosis documented in their insurance records, even though those records are confidential. Coverage varies widely between plans: some cover a limited number of sessions, some do not cover couples counseling at all, and some impose high deductibles that must be met before any coverage begins. Insurance companies also maintain provider networks, and finding an in-network therapist who is accepting new clients, has availability that works with your schedule, and is a good clinical fit can be genuinely difficult, particularly in areas with a shortage of mental health providers.
None of this means insurance is a bad option. For many people, it is the most practical path to affordable care. But it is worth understanding what your plan actually covers before assuming it will work for your situation. Call your insurance company directly and ask specific questions: Is mental health covered? How many sessions per year? Is there a separate deductible? Do you require pre-authorization? What is the copay for in-network versus out-of-network providers?
Sliding Scale Fees
Many therapists and therapy practices adjust their fees based on the client’s income and financial circumstances. This is called a sliding scale, and it is one of the most straightforward ways to access quality therapy at a reduced rate.
Sliding scale availability varies by practice and by therapist. Some offer it to all clients who qualify. Others reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots. If cost is a barrier for you, it is always worth asking. The worst that can happen is they say no, and in our experience, most practices want to help you find a way to make it work. You can contact our team for a free consultation to ask about our current sliding scale availability.
Working With Therapist Candidates and Interns
Another option that many people overlook is working with a therapist who is still completing their supervised clinical hours. These are graduate-level clinicians who have finished their master’s degree and are providing therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed professional. They are trained, they are supervised, and they are often very good, in part because they are at a stage of their career where they are deeply invested in developing their skills.
Sessions with therapist candidates and interns are typically offered at a lower rate than sessions with fully licensed clinicians. At Self Care Impact Counseling, our team includes both licensed therapists and supervised candidates, and we have intentionally structured our practice to make quality care accessible at a range of price points.
Community Mental Health Clinics
Community mental health centers receive federal funding to provide low-cost or free therapy to individuals and families who cannot afford private practice rates. These clinics serve as a critical safety net for people who would otherwise have no access to mental health care.
The trade-offs are real: wait times can be long, session frequency may be limited, and you may not have much choice in which therapist you see. But the care itself is provided by licensed professionals, and for someone who truly cannot afford any out-of-pocket cost, community clinics can be a lifeline. A web search for “community mental health center” plus your city or county will help you find what is available in your area.
Group Therapy and Support Groups
Group therapy is not a replacement for individual therapy, but it can be a meaningful supplement, and it is almost always less expensive per session. Groups offer something that individual therapy cannot: the experience of being around other people who are dealing with similar challenges. That shared experience can reduce isolation, provide perspective, and create accountability in ways that are genuinely therapeutic.
Many therapy practices, hospitals, and community organizations offer group therapy or peer support groups on a range of topics, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and parenting. At Self Care Impact Counseling, we periodically offer group therapy sessions, including our women’s DBT group in Longmont.
Employee Assistance Programs
If you are employed, check whether your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Many employers include EAPs as part of their benefits package. These programs typically provide a set number of free, confidential counseling sessions (often three to six) for employees and sometimes their immediate family members.
EAP sessions are usually short-term and focused on a specific concern, which means they may not be sufficient for complex or long-standing issues. But they can be an excellent starting point: a way to begin the therapeutic process, get some initial relief, and determine whether longer-term therapy would be helpful. They also have the advantage of being completely free to the employee, with no copays or deductibles.
Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, these resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. The Crisis Text Line is available by texting HOME to 741741. These services are not a replacement for ongoing therapy, but they provide immediate, confidential support when it is needed most.
Affordable Therapy in Lakewood and Longmont, Colorado
The cost of therapy is a legitimate concern, but it should not be the thing that keeps you from getting help. There are more paths to affordable care than most people realize, and the right option for you depends on your financial situation, your insurance coverage, and the kind of support you need.
At Self Care Impact Counseling, we have intentionally built a practice that makes quality mental health care accessible. Our team includes licensed clinicians and supervised candidates at a range of rates. We offer both in-person sessions at our Lakewood and Longmont offices and online sessions for anyone in Colorado.
We invite you to call us at 720-551-4553 for a free 20-minute phone consultation to discuss your situation and what options might work for you. You can also try our Find-Your-Therapist tool to browse our team, or reach us through the contact page on our website.
Self Care Impact Counseling envisions a new age of counseling for adolescents, adults, couples and groups that makes a REAL difference with core values of GROWTH | BALANCE | COMPASSION | INNER HARMONY.
About the Author
Alayna Baillod, LCSW, is a Clinical Supervisor and the Owner of Self Care Impact Counseling. She is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Consultant and EMDR Therapist, extensively trained in Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), DBT, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Attachment Theory. Alayna specializes in couples counseling, EMDR trauma therapy, and codependency recovery. Find your therapist here.
