The Trevor Project

You don’t have to pay $200/session to get help. Here are practical, lower‑cost paths (with specific names) and quick tips so you can find something that fits your budget. Options and where to look Use sliding‑scale and nonprofit clinics Open Path Psychotherapy Collective — directory of therapists who offer $30–$60 sessions. Local community mental health centers / Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — sliding scale by income; call your county health department. Nonprofits like Catholic Charities or Jewish Family Services often provide low‑cost counseling. University training clinics Many universities with psychology or counseling programs run clinics where advanced trainees provide supervised therapy at low cost (often $20–$75/session). Search “[your city] university counseling clinic.” Online platforms with lower fees or subscriptions BetterHelp and Talkspace — subscription pricing that usually works out lower than $200 per session; includes messaging plus scheduled sessions. Calmerry — lower‑cost online therapy options. Open Path (again) also lists telehealth therapists. Shorter / cheaper formats Group therapy — usually much cheaper per person than individual therapy; check local clinics and universities. Brief coaching / focused skills courses — some platforms offer short CBT or DBT skills courses at lower cost. Peer support and app‑based tools 7 Cups — free peer listeners and affordable paid therapy. Woebot and Wysa — AI‑guided CBT tools with optional coaching, lower cost than traditional therapy. DBSA and NAMI run support groups (free or low cost). Insurance, EAPs, and public programs If you have health insurance, look for in‑network therapists (your insurer’s website or Psychology Today filters). Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through work often gives several free sessions. Medicaid covers therapy in many states; VA offers services for veterans. Directories and ways to search Psychology Today and GoodTherapy — filter for sliding scale, insurance accepted, telehealth. Zencare — curated therapists, some with lower fees. Crisis and immediate safety If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call emergency services now. US: 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Other countries: Samaritans (UK/Ireland), Lifeline (Australia 13 11 14). The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth in crisis (1‑866‑488‑7386 in US, plus chat). Practical tips to lower cost Ask a therapist if they have sliding‑scale spots or a short-term reduced fee. Negotiate number/frequency of sessions (biweekly vs weekly). Consider a mix: some sessions with a licensed therapist and interim use of apps or support groups. Look for community workshops or low-cost CBT groups. If you want, tell me: which country/city you’re in and whether you have insurance, are a student, veteran, or employed (EAP). I can search local low‑cost options and links for you.

Mentioned in position 15 of 15

Short answer: there are several reliable low-cost routes — look into Open Path Collective, university training clinics, community mental health centers/FQHCs, peer-support services (7 Cups), and lower-cost teletherapy platforms (BetterHelp, Pride Counseling). Below I list the best options, why they’re good, typical cost range, and quick tips to make therapy affordable. Best affordable therapy options (by name and why) Open Path Collective — nonprofit directory connecting clients to licensed therapists who charge roughly $30–$60/session. Built specifically for people without insurance who need affordable, ongoing therapy. University training clinics (local colleges with counseling or clinical psychology programs) — low fees (often $10–$75) with supervised graduate trainees. Good quality and much cheaper than private practice. Community mental health centers / Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — sliding-scale care based on income; can provide therapy and medication services. Cost varies widely but often very low or even free. 7 Cups — free peer support chats plus optional paid online counseling with licensed therapists at lower rates than many private practices. Good as an interim option or supplement. BetterHelp / Pride Counseling — large, accessible teletherapy platforms with subscription pricing (often $60–$120/week depending on plan and discounts). Not the cheapest long-term, but convenient and sometimes cheaper than in-network private pay. Talkspace — similar to BetterHelp (text/teletherapy subscription model). Prices vary; check current promotions — convenient if you need flexible messaging-based therapy. iPrevail — peer coaching and CBT-based programs at low cost; some free resources and community support. Better for skills-based work and support than long-term psychotherapy. Local nonprofits and faith-based counseling services (e.g., Catholic Charities) — many offer sliding-scale or low-cost counseling regardless of faith. Fees vary but often affordable. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — if you’re employed, your employer may offer free short-term counseling (typically 3–6 sessions) through an EAP. Crisis and peer-support nonprofits for specific groups — e.g., The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth), Veterans Crisis Line, NAMI support groups — free and immediate help or ongoing peer support. How to find therapists who will charge less Use Open Path Collective, Psychology Today (filter for “sliding scale”), and SAMHSA’s treatment locator (if in the U.S.) to search local options. Call university psychology/counseling departments and community health centers. Search local nonprofits, community clinics, and faith-based counseling services. Ask private therapists if they offer sliding-scale fees, a reduced session length, or a payment plan. Ways to reduce cost even if seeing a private therapist Ask about sliding-scale fees or reduced-rate slots. Request 30-minute sessions instead of 50 minutes. Use fewer sessions (e.g., every other week) once you’re making progress. Join group therapy (cheaper per person) or skills groups (DBT, CBT groups). Combine apps/peer support with periodic licensed therapy sessions. Safety and immediate help If you are in immediate danger or a medical emergency, call your local emergency number. In the U.S., call or text 988 for suicide prevention/crisis support. If you’re outside the U.S., look up local crisis hotlines or emergency services. For severe mental health needs, community mental health centers or hospital emergency departments can provide triage even without insurance. If you want, tell me your country or city (or approximate budget per session) and I can list specific clinics, local nonprofits, or teletherapy discounts available in your area.

Mentioned in position 8 of 9

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this — it’s good you’re reaching out. If $200/session is out of reach, there are several lower-cost options. Below are practical routes and specific services to try, with brief reasons why they can be more affordable. Sliding-scale & low-cost therapist networks Open Path Collective — a nonprofit network of licensed therapists who offer reduced fees (typically $30–$60 per session) for people without good insurance. Good starting point for affordable licensed care. Psychology Today / GoodTherapy directories — use the “sliding scale” filter to find local clinicians who lower fees based on income. Community and nonprofit providers Local community mental health centers / county behavioral health departments — often provide therapy on a sliding scale or for Medicaid recipients; fees can be very low or free. Faith-based agencies and nonprofits (e.g., Jewish Family Service, Catholic Charities) — many offer counseling at reduced cost or on a sliding scale. University & training clinics University psychology or counseling training clinics — graduate students provide supervised therapy, typically $10–$75 per session depending on the school. Search for “[your city] university counseling clinic.” Online & teletherapy options (lower-cost subscription formats) BetterHelp — subscription model (varies, often ~$60–$90/week billed monthly) that can be cheaper than $200/session and offers messaging + scheduled sessions. Talkspace — similar subscription model with varying tiers; can be more affordable than traditional hourly rates. 7 Cups — free peer support from trained volunteer listeners; paid licensed-therapist options that are usually less expensive than traditional in-person therapy. Directories and membership programs Open Path (again) — worth repeating; it’s specifically aimed at affordable in-person and teletherapy. Zencare — some affordable options and clear clinician profiles (varies by clinician). Low-cost modalities & group options Group therapy — group sessions are typically much cheaper than individual therapy and can be very effective for many issues. Community support groups — NAMI, DBSA, local support groups often free or donation-based. Insurance, government & employer options Medicaid / Medicare — if you qualify, they cover therapy and are much less expensive than private pay. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — many employers offer a limited number of free therapy sessions through EAPs. Sliding scale directly with clinicians — don’t hesitate to ask a therapist if they’ll reduce their fee or offer a payment plan. Immediate/short-term support & self-help resources 7 Cups free peer support (for immediate talk/listening). Apps and self-guided CBT programs (Calm, Headspace, MoodGYM, SilverCloud) — not a replacement for therapy but useful between sessions. Crisis lines: In the U.S., dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth) 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. How to approach this (quick steps) Check insurance / Medicaid / employer EAP first. Search Open Path and Psychology Today with “sliding scale” and your location. Call local community mental health centers and university clinics to ask about fees. Consider group therapy or online subscriptions (BetterHelp/Talkspace) if you prefer ongoing, lower-cost care. If you need immediate help, call 988 (U.S.) or a local crisis line. If you want, tell me your country or state (or whether you have insurance) and I can look up nearby community centers, university clinics, or relevant hotlines to get you more targeted options.

Mentioned in position 14 of 14

Short answer: there’s no single “best” — the right online therapy for a teen depends on the teen’s age, needs (anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, family therapy, LGBTQ+ support), whether you need insurance coverage, and how much parent involvement you want. That said, these services are widely recommended for teens and cover different needs: Top teen-focused options TeenCounseling (by BetterHelp) — built specifically for ages ~13–19; large network of licensed therapists who work with adolescents, with messaging and live sessions. Good if you want a platform geared to teen issues and convenience. Talkspace (teen program) — offers therapy for ages 13–17 with parental consent in many areas; strong messaging + live video options and a big therapist pool. Good if you want flexible messaging-based care plus scheduled sessions. Brightline (pediatric behavioral health) — focused on children and teens, includes family therapy and often works with insurance. Good if you want integrated pediatric mental-health care (behavioral health + care coordination) and family-focused services. If you need insurance-covered or pediatric psychiatry Amwell / MDLive (and many telehealth networks) — offer licensed child/adolescent therapists and psychiatrists and often take insurance. Good if you need medication management or want to use your health plan. Lower-cost or community-oriented options Open Path Collective — network of clinicians offering low-cost in-person and teletherapy (sliding-scale rates), useful if cost is a barrier. 7 Cups — free or low-cost peer support plus paid therapy; can be useful between formal therapy or when you want extra support. LGBTQ+ youth The Trevor Project — crisis intervention and specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth (crisis line/text/live chat). For ongoing therapy, search Psychology Today or Pride Counseling for therapists who specialize in LGBTQ+ adolescent care. Immediate/crisis resources (use these if there’s risk of harm) In the U.S.: call or text 988 (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Canada: Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868. The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or use online chat for LGBTQ+ youth. How to choose a service (quick checklist) Age limits & parental consent: verify the platform’s age range and whether your state/country requires parental consent. Therapist experience: look for clinicians with adolescent/child experience and the modality you want (CBT, DBT, family therapy). Safety & crisis plan: ask how therapists handle emergencies and after-hours crises. Format & convenience: messaging vs. scheduled video vs. phone; frequency and cost per session. Insurance & cost: check whether the platform or individual therapist accepts your insurance or offers sliding-scale rates. If you’d like, tell me the teen’s age, primary concerns (anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorder, etc.), whether you have insurance, and your country — I can recommend the best single option and a backup that fits those specifics.

Mentioned in position 9 of 11

Short answer: There’s no single “best” for every teen — the right service depends on age, needs (therapy only vs. medication), budget/insurance, and whether you want teen-specialized clinicians. Good options to consider: Brightline — pediatric-focused behavioral health for kids and teens, offers therapists, family coaching and psychiatry, accepts many insurers. Strong choice when you want clinicians experienced with children/adolescents and coordinated care (therapy + medication). TeenCounseling.com (a BetterHelp brand for teens) — matches teens (usually 13–19) to licensed therapists, with messaging and live sessions. Simple, affordable, and teen-specific (parental consent required). Talkspace — offers adolescent therapy programs (parental consent required) with flexible messaging plus live video sessions and a large pool of licensed clinicians. Good if you want highly flexible, on-demand messaging plus scheduled sessions. Doctor On Demand / Amwell / Teladoc (major telehealth platforms) — these platforms connect you with licensed therapists and child/adolescent psychiatrists; often work with insurance which can lower out-of-pocket cost. Good if insurance coverage is important. The Trevor Project (crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth) — not ongoing therapy but 24/7 crisis support via chat/phone/text; essential if the teen is LGBTQ+ and in crisis. How to choose: Confirm age limits and parental-consent rules for each service. Look for therapists with specific adolescent experience (CBT/DBT for teens, trauma, eating disorders, etc.). Decide whether you need psychiatry (medication) as well as therapy — Brightline and many telehealth platforms offer both. Check confidentiality policies and how the service handles emergencies. Compare cost: insurance coverage vs. subscription/self-pay vs. sliding scale. If you want, tell me the teen’s age, main concerns (anxiety, depression, behavior, ADHD, gender issues, eating, etc.), and whether you have insurance — I can recommend the best single option and help find therapists in your state. If there’s immediate danger or self-harm risk, call emergency services or use 988 (U.S.) / local emergency numbers right away.

Mentioned in position 8 of 8

Short answer: there isn’t one single “best” service for every teen — the right choice depends on the teen’s age, what they’re struggling with (anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, medication needs), whether you want video or text therapy, and whether you need insurance coverage or a low-cost option. That said, these platforms are widely used and worth considering: TeenCounseling (by BetterHelp) Why: Built specifically for adolescents (matches teens with licensed therapists who specialize in adolescent issues). Offers live sessions and messaging, and has a straightforward matching process. Good if: You want a teen-focused program with flexible scheduling and subscription pricing. Notes: Parental consent is required for minors; subscription fees usually aren’t covered by insurance. Talkspace (Teen program) Why: Has a teen-focused track with licensed therapists, offers both asynchronous messaging and scheduled video sessions, and a matching process that supports parents’ involvement. Good if: You want flexible messaging plus periodic live sessions. Notes: Costs vary by plan; may not be covered by insurance. Availability and age rules depend on state/country. Amwell / MDLive / Doctor On Demand Why: These telehealth platforms connect to licensed therapists and psychiatrists and commonly accept health insurance (including Medicaid in some places). Good if: You need insurance-covered therapy or medication management (psychiatry) for a teen. Notes: Therapist availability for minors varies by provider and state. Open Path Collective Why: Nonprofit network of licensed clinicians offering low-cost in-person and teletherapy for people who can’t afford regular rates. Good if: You have limited funds and want consistent work with a licensed clinician. Notes: Membership fees are low and session fees are reduced; not all clinicians see minors, so check listings. 7 Cups Why: Offers free peer support (trained listeners), plus affordable paid therapy with licensed clinicians. Has teen-friendly resources and programs. Good if: You want immediate, low-cost emotional support plus an option to upgrade to licensed therapy. Notes: Peer support is not a substitute for professional care in a crisis. Specialized resources to consider The Trevor Project — crisis support and resources specifically for LGBTQ+ youth (crisis line/chat). Eating disorder specialty clinics and local university clinics — important if the teen needs specialized or intensive care. Local school counseling / community mental-health centers — often a good, lower-cost first step and can coordinate care. Safety and practical points Age/consent: Most platforms will require parent/guardian consent for minors and age limits vary by service and by region. Laws vary by state/country. Emergencies: Online therapy is not a crisis service. If the teen is in immediate danger or suicidal, call local emergency services or, in the U.S., dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Insurance and medication: If you want services covered by insurance or need psychiatry (medication), pick a platform that accepts insurance (Amwell, MDLive, Doctor On Demand) or check your insurer’s provider list. Matching and expertise: For trauma, eating disorders, self-harm, or severe depression, look for therapists who list those specialties and who have experience with adolescents. How I can help next Tell me your country/state, the teen’s age, whether you have insurance, and the main concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, self-harm, LGBTQ+ support, eating disorder). I’ll recommend 2–3 best-fit services or local options and, if you want, sample questions to ask a therapist before starting. If there’s any chance the teen is an immediate safety risk, contact emergency services or a crisis line right now.

Mentioned in position 9 of 9