How To Get Affordable Counseling: BetterHelp and other optionsÂ
Therapy is prohibitively expensive, yet mental health is critical. Having good mental and behavioural health goes hand in hand with having good physical health, and it’s not something to ignore. In light of the foregoing, you could consider the cost of therapy or counselling and question, “How can anyone pay this?” Even while counselling can be expensive, with sessions costing up to $200 per session, there are low-cost (and even free) solutions accessible both online and in person for those who need help. Here are some options for getting the mental health care you need without depleting your bank account or spending money you don’t have — some of which are even completely free!
Make Use of Your Insurance Policy
Treatment with a therapist or counsellor should be covered by your health insurance plan in some kind. When you use your insurance plan, the only amount for therapy that you’ll have to pay out of pocket is a co-pay that can be as low as $20 per session. The costs of your therapy may be covered in full if you live in the United States and have a Medicaid insurance plan. This is the most common method for getting a free or low-cost therapist or behavioural health professional to see them successfully. The only caveat is that you must only see particular providers who are covered by your insurance plan in order to qualify. For more information on what your insurance covers, contact your insurance company or visit their website. You can also look on the internet for therapists in your area who accept your insurance, or speak with your primary care physician.
Inquire with your school
In the event that you are a college student, it is possible that your institution has a therapist or counsellor on the payroll. Inquire with your university’s student health centre about your possibilities and see what they have available. In many circumstances, on-campus therapy is provided at no cost and is provided by a qualified mental health professional. In some cases, there may be a modest co-pay if your school has a student health insurance plan, but therapy is usually provided at no cost. Counselors at colleges and universities typically practise on campus, but because of the coronavirus, sessions are now offered online at the majority of institutions. The cost, on the other hand, should be constant.
Whether you have children enrolled in K-12 schooling or are looking for a counsellor for your child, it is usual for K-12 schools to have a counsellor on staff. Even though it may not be a viable alternative for long-term care if your child requires continuous counselling, it is an excellent starting point.
Locate a therapist who provides sliding-scale fees for their services.
Many mental health practitioners offer sliding scale fees that are based on the financial level of their clients. What this means is that they will discount their services for the fee you pay for their services based on your income level, which will reduce the amount you pay for their services. Because most therapists and counsellors only accept a limited number of clients on a sliding scale basis, you may have to wait on a waiting list for a period of time, but it is also conceivable that you will be able to get in without having to wait for an extended period of time. In order to determine who provides services on a sliding scale basis, you can search the internet or call a service provider of your choosing and inquire whether they do so.
Programs for Employee Assistance (EAP)
If you work for a company that offers an employee assistance programme, it’s probable that you’ll be able to access individual counselling, couples counselling, and other types of mental health care through the programme as a result of your employment with the firm. Consult with your company’s human resources department if you have any queries or would like to obtain a better knowledge of how an employee assistance programme might benefit you.
Look into what your church has to offer.
Those who attend church may be eligible for free counselling services provided by the church. Marriage counselling and other types of mental health counselling or treatment are available for free through many religious organisations. Individual counselling or couples therapy will frequently be available through your church’s social services department. Even if your church is unable to provide direct services, they may be able to connect you with resources that will allow you to afford counselling.
There are a variety of other free or low-cost options for assistance.
If you are in need of help, you might want to consider joining a support group, which is not the same thing as counselling. An informal support group differs from group therapy or group counselling in that it does not require the participation of a mental health professional; group therapy and counselling, on the other hand, do require the participation of a certified mental health provider. Although it can be difficult to feel less alone, peer support has the potential to be life-changing for many people. There are local support groups as well as internet support groups and forums for those who are dealing with this issue. For those in urgent need of assistance, a hotline such as the national suicide prevention lifeline can be reached at any time of day or night. Many different types of mental health hotlines are accessible, including those for specific mental health diseases or life challenges, such as eating disorders, substance abuse, and other issues, among others.
You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling 1-800-273-8255, or you can visit their website. You should go to the nearest emergency room or dial 911 if you are in urgent danger.
Counseling through the internet
More and more businesses and services, particularly those in the mental health industry, are moving to a distant location. For a wide range of behavioural health and life difficulties, online therapy has been shown to be beneficial, and it is typically much more economical than traditional in-person counselling, which is especially important in the absence of insurance coverage for such services. With BetterHelp, you’ll be billed monthly rather than at the end of each session, and you’ll pay between $80 and $100 per week for your counselling, depending on the plan you select. Do not be scared to reach out for assistance because online counselling is completely confidential and BetterHelp only works with professional clinicians. Check out BetterHelp reviews at this link: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.betterhelp.com?page=5.
