Can I Afford Counseling?

With the COVID pandemic, we saw a rise in mental health disorders. We thought that with time and after life got back to pre-Covid normal, that the number of people reporting struggling with mental health problems would decrease. However, that hasn’t necessarily been the case.

According to Mental Health America, approximately 19% of American adults, or 50 million people, are experiencing mental health problems with 4% experiencing severe mental health disorders in 2022. It is estimated that 4%, or 11 million, adults have experienced severe suicide ideation in the past year.

For adolescents the numbers don’t look much better. 15% of 12-17 year olds have reported suffering from major depression while 32% report experiencing anxiety (including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, phobias and PTSD), both if left untreated, is likely to carry on to adulthood.

               For many, seeking therapy is no longer tied with stigma but it is attached to a time and financial investment that keeps them from getting professional help. We the cost of food, housing, gas, and other necessities soaring, it might leave you wondering if you can afford therapy.

What is the cost of not getting therapy?

               Mental health problems can come at a financial cost that we don’t often think about. You could experience a loss of income if your mental health keeps you from being able to maintain a job. It’s not uncommon for me to see clients job hop or leave work early while their mental health is left untreated leading to increase in stress and anxiety.

College students may find themselves having to pay to take classes over again after a bad semester of sleeping in or avoiding school work.

               Other side effects that come with depression, PTSD, and anxiety is increased drug and alcohol use. New studies show that there has been a 14% increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. In 2022, about 17% of adults reported having a substance abuse disorder. An alcohol addiction can cost a person anywhere between $1,200- $6,000 a year. That’s enough to cover at least 10 months of weekly therapy sessions.

               Other ways that not seeking therapy can cost you is in decreased effectiveness or satisfaction in relationships which can lead to divorce and decreased physical health and quality in life which can lead to increase in medical bills.

But I don’t have time for therapy…

               One of the myths I hear often from people is that once you start therapy it can take years to end therapy. That is not always the case. There are several treatment plans that range from a few months to a year. CPT, a treatment for trauma, is a 12 week treatment. DBT, a treatment for mood disorders, is about a year long. Establishing an evidence based treatment plan and having clear goals can drastically cut down your time in therapy.

With Covid came the comfort of doing lots of things online. Along with grocery shopping and taking classes, therapy is now something that is now being widely used. I have seen teens during study hall, adults during the lunch break and parents during their kid’s soccer practice. Without having to plan for a commute, therapy might not be as time consuming as you think.

              But I’m not sure if I can afford it…

If you are still considering therapy but are a little nervous about the time and financial investment, here are some of my tips:

               First, take a look at your budget for a month. “Check the facts” if you will, and calculate how much money you are making and how much you are spending and - this is super important- on what you are spending on. It could be that the money is there but you might have to cut back on video games, going out for coffee, or canceling a few subscriptions.

               Second, call your insurance and see what their policy is for out of network reimbursement. Most therapists can provide a superbill that you submit to get a portion of what you paid out of pocket back.

               Third, ask about sliding scales. Many therapists have a certain number of clients they are able to see at a reduced fee. Have a conversation with your therapist about your situation. If they can’t provide a reduced fee, they might be able to refer to other resources in the community.

               Finally, ask your therapist about session frequency. Although it is ideal to meet weekly, sometimes it is appropriate to meet biweekly. You and your therapist can discuss the best course of action without watering down your treatment.

Before deciding you can’t invest in therapy, talk to a therapist. At Diana Hughes Counseling, you can schedule a free consultation with our therapists to discuss presenting issues and investment concerns.