By William Schroeder, LPC and clinically reviewed by Teri Schroeder, LCSW
We often have people calling in to inquire about how much does counseling cost in Austin. Counseling prices vary a lot by the market, by the provider, number of years of experience, specialization, and by service. In Austin, counseling tends to cost between $125 and $300 per hour, with the average around $150 to $180. If you want to know more specifics on how much does counseling cost, check out some pointers below:
How Much Does Counseling Cost in Austin? What Drives the Price
- Some therapists take insurance however, there are a number of therapists moving away from insurance due to difficulties with insurers. This includes things like slow payment, poor reimbursement rates, no increase in payment amount despite years of experience and advanced training, poor case management on the part of the insurance company, some insurers are more focused on profit than quality care, and case reviews that require informing insurance companies about specific details of your treatment. (We are not allowed to publish the insurance rates as per contracts with insurance companies but they are lower than market. Typically they are anywhere from 30% to 50% of a normal private pay hourly session.) Another issue I should mention are the complications they like to put in place. For instance, in recent years we have seen more barriers to telehealth. In markets across the country we are seeing things like separate deductibles for telehealth, a much lower reimbursement rate for telehealth vs in-person, telehealth not being offered on certain plans, a copay if you do in person vs a higher cost if online. Insurance companies are trying to cut their cost through creating barriers to care.
- Younger therapists sometimes offer cheaper than more experienced therapists. They tend to range from $50 to $140 per hour. Some may bill themselves higher but just because they cost more doesn’t mean they are better.
- Couples counseling often tends to cost more than individual therapy. Sometimes this is due to the fact couples can require more work and therapists can’t see as many of them. This fee can range from $135 to $400 an hour. Many therapists will encourage clients to do 90 to 120 minute sessions to make sure whatever issues come up to have time to skillfully be resolved. The longer sessions, although more expensive, can allow for more progress to be made.
- Niche specialties and that have extensive training tend to cost more. They often have extensive training and experience in this area that others don’t and supply often outstrips demand. This could be someone who specializes in couples who are on the Autism spectrum, as an example.
- The number of years of experience a therapist has tends to increase their price. The more trained and experienced a therapist is, the more quickly they can help in correctly assessing an issue and providing a solution that they are well trained in implementing. Pay attention to their training see if it is relevant to your needs and ultimately if you feel comfortable with them.
- Psychologists tend to cost more since they go to school for a longer period of time and hold a doctorate (a PhD or PsyD).
- Psychiatrists also sometimes do therapy as well. They tend to be the most expensive on this list of options since they have an MD and can also do medication management. They tend to range from $300 to $600 an hour.
Why the Cost of Mental Health Treatment Is Worth It
Therapy is a real expense, so it’s fair to ask what you get for it. Here’s what it can offer you:
Cut Your Anxiety: Life throws stress and anxiety our way more often than we’d like, and it’s tough to handle it all by ourselves. Therapy teaches you coping skills that make stress easier to manage from one day to the next.
Boost Your Relationships: Sometimes, the struggles we face inside can spill over and affect our bonds with others, without us even realizing it. A mental health pro can offer you a fresh perspective on yourself and arm you with strategies to nurture and heal your relationships, making your connections with loved ones stronger and more fulfilling.
Reduce Stress: Being a business owner, I can personally relate to the challenges that stress creates. Stress takes a real toll. Therapy gives you practical techniques for handling it as it comes, and for building more calm into an ordinary day.
Lift Your Spirits: If you’re feeling weighed down by anger, stress, or sadness more often than you’d like, mental health support can help. Therapy gives you a place to work through those heavier emotions instead of carrying them alone.
In Some Cases, It’s a Lifesaver: For those wrestling with severe challenges like major depression, addiction, or eating disorders, reaching out for help isn’t just a good idea. It’s essential. Connecting with a mental health professional can open the door to the support and care you need. Sometimes, it’s not just about improving life. It’s about saving it.
What Counseling Costs at Just Mind
At Just Mind, individual therapy runs $145 to $215 per session, depending on the therapist’s experience and specialty. Exact rates are listed on each therapist’s profile. If cost is a barrier, we offer a sliding scale of up to $25 below our published rates, and our supervised UT social work interns see clients for $75 a session. You can find couples, testing, and insurance details on our rates and insurance page, or get started and we will help you find a good fit.
If you are curious about our counseling prices or if you are looking for affordable counseling in Austin, check out the provided links. Additionally, you can read Why is Therapy So Expensive? from HuffPost for a discussion about the high prices related to therapy. You can also meet our Austin therapists and see who might be a fit.
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