How Much Does Psychotherapy Cost? (& 6 Factors That Impact the Price of Therapy)
Figuring out how much therapy costs can be frustrating. The difference in professional costs is confusing, and it can be difficult to determine why different services vary so much in cost, how much your insurance provider will cover, and how much you can expect to pay during the therapy process.
As an intake specialist at KMA Therapy who is completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology, I know how much mental health professionals cost - and I know the factors that affect these costs.
Let’s break down some of your most pressing therapy cost questions, so you know what you can expect to pay throughout your therapeutic journey!
How Much do Therapy Sessions Cost?
Let’s cut to the chase. How much do mental health services cost? Fees for therapeutic services range anywhere from $50 to $300 per session.
Factors that influence the cost of therapy include:
- Educational background of your therapist
- The number of sessions you attend
- Type of therapy you’re receiving
- Experience of your therapist
- Psychologist supervision
- Office costs
Six Factors That Influence the Cost of Therapy
Let’s dive into each factor to give you a better understanding of why it impacts costs, starting with the educational background of your therapist.
1. Educational Background
A therapist’s professional degree will affect their cost per session. Social workers, psychotherapists, and psychologists all need different degrees of education.
Social work and psychotherapeutic services tend to be more affordable than psychological services. A psychotherapist and social worker’s costs range from $50 to $200 per hourly session. A psychologist may charge anywhere between $100 and $300 per hourly session.
The number of certifications a therapist has may also affect their cost per session. Maintaining different certifications often requires paid training and yearly fees to access relevant resources, and their prices may reflect that.
A therapist may charge more money per session if they:
- Receive training in different therapeutic approaches
- Takes supplementary courses/workshops
- Hold multiple degrees
When looking for a therapist for the first time, it is important to ensure that they have the qualifications to practice.
Read What Are the Different Types of Therapists to figure out which professional is the right fit for you.
2. Experience
Your therapist’s level of experience will influence the cost of sessions. As per the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, therapists should constantly further their scope of knowledge.
As their career progresses, a therapist will:
- Read more literature
- Earn more certifications
- Attend more workshops
- Work with a more diverse array of people
This results in a better, more informed therapeutic experience for their client. This will also expand their understanding of different clinical issues, backgrounds, and the use of therapeutic techniques.
As therapists become more skilled, their costs may increase to reflect their qualifications.
While new therapists are skillful, many people will opt to pay for more seasoned therapists to receive more experienced care. Those who need therapists with specialized experience in a particular area of mental health will usually need a therapist whose professional background is well-cultivated.
3. Type of Therapy
The type of therapy a mental health professional provides will also influence their cost per session.
A therapist who treats more specialized conditions or has experience in a specific field of psychology may be more expensive than one with more generalized knowledge.
Popular types of therapy include:
These therapies treat a variety of issues and are provided by many therapists.
More specialized forms of therapy include:
- Hypnotherapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
These therapies are suited to clients with more specific needs and are not provided by as many therapists. Clients looking for specialized therapy should be aware that therapies that are not widely provided may be more costly.
Additionally, a therapist with experience using multiple therapeutic approaches and techniques may increase charges to reflect their range of knowledge.
4. Psychologist Supervision
A therapist who attends supervision receives training, advice, and feedback from a psychologist. During these supervisions, they learn how to incorporate new approaches into their sessions. They also broaden their therapeutic knowledge. It is well-documented that therapists who attend regular supervision provide better services to their clients.
It takes time and money to attend psychological supervision, but it provides real benefits. As such, social workers and psychotherapists supervised by psychologists may have more expensive rates, ranging from $100 to $250. Most insurance providers cover therapists who attend psychological supervision under psychological services.
5. Office Costs
Office costs also factor into the price of therapy. Therapy practices located in cities with high costs of living will generally charge more to cover practice costs. The number of offices and the areas in which they’re located will also weigh in.
A client looking for an office in a central, convenient location needs to consider that these offices may affect session costs.
6. The Number of Sessions You Attend
The overall cost of what you pay for therapy will vary greatly depending on how many sessions you attend.
The number of sessions you attend depends on:
- The philosophy of your therapist
- The treatment approach selected for you
- The type and degree of mental health issues you're experiencing
- The nature of therapy (family therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or individual therapy)
The style of therapy will affect the number of sessions needed to make meaningful change, and thus the cost of your journey. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, for example, is time-limited and takes between 6 to 12 sessions to complete. More in-depth therapy styles, like psychoanalytic therapy, could take months or even years to complete.
During your first sessions, your therapist should discuss your therapy plan. Keep in mind that the length of treatment may change based on unexpected circumstances and developing events. It is a part of your therapist’s job to give you regular updates about the length and type of treatment they provide.
Therapy ranges a lot in costs depending on all these factors. The quality of therapy isn't defined by the cost, but it is useful to understand why services differ, and which price point and service may be right for you!
Starting Therapy with KMA Therapy
After reading this article, you know what goes into the pricing of therapy and what you can expect to pay for a typical therapy session.
Here at KMA Therapy, your initial Discovery call is 15-minutes and free of charge. It's a quick and convenient way to get you started on your therapy journey.
Your follow up sessions are 50-minutes and cost $245.
Your follow up sessions are designed to produce results based on the goals from your intake session. You'll meet weekly or bi-weekly with your therapist and we'll check in regularly to ensure optimal results.
Book an appointment today, or connect with our team to learn more.
If you're not yet ready to book an appointment, check out these resources to learn more:
- What Should I Do if I Can't Afford Therapy?
- Is Mental Health Therapy Covered by Insurance?
- What's the Difference Between an Intake session and a Free Consultation in Therapy?
About the Author
Julieta is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life. She uses an empathetic approach to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
Julieta's approach to therapy is holistic, drawing on a range of techniques to help clients achieve lasting change. She believes that therapy is not just about addressing immediate challenges, but about helping individuals to build a deeper understanding of the self, and the resilience they need to navigate life's ups and downs with confidence and self-assurance.
Book an appointment with Julieta to start your therapy journey today.
