I’m going through a hard time right now, and I could use going to therapy, but I’m afraid I can’t afford it.
When doing a rundown of the reasons why people don’t seek therapy, even though they know it would help them, money comes up quite often. In fact, the idea that therapy is prohibitively expensive is so ingrained into public opinion that many people struggle for years with issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression without even asking for a quote and then those issues turn to costlier, life-affecting conditions.
The assumption that therapy is expensive isn’t entirely unfounded. A few years ago, when demand wasn’t that high, and there weren’t that many professionals to choose from, the median price for a therapy session was indeed higher, but people who seek therapy today are surprised to see how much more affordable therapy has become. In 2018, seeing a therapist usually costs between £60 and £90 per hour with specialists at up to £150/hour, however in 2021 seeing an online therapist is now usually between £45 and £65 per hour.
Why is therapy more affordable today?
Perhaps the biggest reason why therapy has become more affordable compared to ten years ago is that mental health is no longer that much of a taboo topic. Although we are still far from discussing mental health issues as openly as other health issues, the stigma surrounding conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD is slowly dispelling. There is more awareness on the matter, which means that demand is growing and, as a result, the market is more competitive and therapists charge less. Some insurers have even started to cover therapy, which marks considerable progress in the way we perceive and treat mental health issues.
Online therapy is one of the most affordable ways to get professional mental health help.
Although therapy has become more affordable, some people can still find the cost to be too high, and that’s completely understandable. Fortunately, there are ways to make therapy more affordable without making compromises on the level of quality and professionalism. Online therapy sessions are one of them.
Online therapy has been around for decades, but it became a massive phenomenon during the COVID-19 lockdown, when people couldn’t leave their homes to go to therapy. Convenience was the most advertised advantage of online therapy, but what clients soon realized was that online sessions are also more affordable:
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By choosing online therapy, you no longer have to spend money on a ticket or fuel for the commute. You can schedule a session with an accredited therapist anywhere in the UK, and you won’t have to worry that the cost of the commute is almost as much as the session itself.
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You have a wider pool of therapists to choose from. For example, if in-office therapy fees are very high in your city, you can simply choose a therapist from another location.
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Unlike face-to-face therapy, which can be billed monthly, online therapy is billed per session, which puts a smaller strain on your budget.
And the best part is that you can save money on therapy, without compromising on quality or waiting for weeks to receive treatment. Many times, when clients who have a low budget seek in-person therapy, they’re forced to go to low-cost clinics that don’t offer the type of therapy they need, or have to go on long waiting lists (needless to say, the issue can get worse while you’re awaiting your appointment). By opting for online therapy instead, you will be treated according to the same high standards as in-office therapy, and you usually don’t have to wait longer than 48-72 hours until your next session.
At UK Therapy Guide, we understand that budget is an important factor when seeking mental health help, which is why we have added a budget filter to our search feature. This way, when browsing the list of accredited counsellors, you can choose from three price ranges:
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£0-£70
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£0-£100
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£0-£150
Then, you can sort the results by price. This way, you have more flexibility when making your choice, and you’ll know what price range to expect before contacting a counsellor.
Please note that the exact price per session may vary depending on several factors, such as:
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the type of mental health concern that needs to be addressed (anxiety, depression, stress, low self-confidence, Trauma or PTSD, OCD, etc.)
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the severity of the mental health issue
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the session format (short vs long session, individual vs group therapy)
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the type of therapy used (Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, etc.).
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therapy duration
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Insurance coverage: some types of therapy may be fully or partially covered by insurance.
Also, depending on the type of therapy you choose and the number of sessions you sign up for, your counsellor may be able to adjust the therapy plan so that it works for your budget.
In addition to the cost-saving benefits of online therapy, on UK Therapy Guide, we also have a discount low-cost monthly therapy promotion (at just £89/month), and we also do discounts for NHS staff and carers. We believe that money shouldn’t come in the way of mental health, which is why we work with therapists who have inexpensive rates.
Online therapy is an investment for your long-term health and wellbeing.
The idea of going to therapy may seem like a luxury when the symptoms aren’t too severe. Even today, when there’s more awareness on the importance of mental health, many people still fe
