How Much Does Psychotherapy Cost and Why Is It Needed?

61% of US residents say they will never go to a psychologist or psychotherapist. Because it’s “expensive”, “ineffective”, or simply “unnecessary”.

At the same time, according to statistics from the World Health Organization, one in three people in the USA at some point in their life is faced with mental problems.

At the same time, psychotherapy is not only an instrument of classical psychiatry. It can also be useful for patients with medical conditions such as chronic back pain or myocardial infarction, as well as perfectly healthy people who have found themselves in a difficult situation or decided to make some changes in their lives.

In this article, we tried to look at psychotherapy as a service and see if it can be considered a profitable investment in health. Why go to a psychologist and how to choose a specialist? We will tell you in this article.

Why you should see a psychologist

Psychotherapy is a way to put your thoughts and feelings in order. It is also called “conversational therapy” because the main instrument of influence is the word, not the medicine.

Mental well-being is as much a health attribute as normal blood pressure or temperature. Internal conflicts, anxiety, mood problems and other mental problems can harm both the individual and society because:

• Chronic stress can provoke or aggravate heart disease, insomnia can lead to obesity or road accidents. Depression is a risk factor for premature death. In addition, neuroses can provoke more serious mental illness;
• Internal conflicts, overwork or inability to communicate constructively make people get divorced, abandon their children, lose their jobs, and refuse promising projects that could make the world a better place;
• Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability in the world. Patients with serious mental disorders need to be treated. Scientists say mental disorders cost the global economy more than cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer.

Psychotherapy implies a systematic approach and has a scientific basis. This means that the chances of improving the quality of life through psychotherapy are often higher than opting for medication.

What problems do psychologists deal with?

Here are some more serious life situations in which you should think about psychotherapy:

• you are thinking about divorce;
• you are seriously ill or have suffered an injury;
• you were beaten or raped;
• you were betrayed by a loved one;
• you can’t live without alcohol.

Below are a few less obvious situations in which the help of a psychotherapist will also come in handy:

• you got stuck in one life status;
• you hate your own appearance;
• one of your relatives is seriously ill;
• you often have nightmares;
• you hate your parents;
• it seems that someone is following you;
• you fell deeply in love, but you are not reciprocated;
• you feel guilty towards someone;
• you cannot refuse anyone;
• people behave aggressively towards you;
• you are 30 but you live with your mom;
• you are terribly afraid to fly an airplane;
• you just don’t like your life.

How much do consultations cost and what affects the price?

The average cost of therapy in the USA is $60 to $120 per session, with most American’s paying between $20 to $250 per hour depending on the number of sessions booked, and if it’s covered by health insurance. Since the cost of sessions is quite high, many Americans even take out payday loans to pay for the therapy. This approach is justified because in many cases it is very important to get phycological help as quickly as possible, even if you are short of cash. Payday loans in Maryland are one of the most popular services. They are easy to access and easy to repay. Payday loans can be taken for whatever purpose and involve no collateral/guarantors. Applying for a loan is purely online and you can even submit your request at night or on weekends.  If approved for a loan, you must expect to have the money transferred to your bank account within a few hours or even faster. Today, you can get all the necessary information related to payday lending in your city via the Internet. For example, if you reside in Denton, you can apply for payday loans Denton around the clock. The page contains information about average APR, rates and terms. Here you can also read user reviews and find out lenders’ ratings immediately.

The cost of a psychologist consultation is affected by several factors: psychotherapist qualification and reputation, premises for rent, supervision, type of therapy, the severity of the problem.

Is it possible to save on psychotherapy?

Not everyone is willing to make psychotherapy a monthly expense. If you feel like you need help, there are several ways to make your sessions cheaper.

• Choose group therapy because is cheaper than individual therapy. Savings depend on the type of therapy and the number of people in the group. Go to several personal consultations, and when you understand the essence of your condition, ask the therapist if there are groups of people with similar problems. Information about psychotherapy groups can be found on the websites of psychological assistance centers and in social networks;
• Choose online consultation. They can be less effective due to the lack of direct contact with the therapist, but they save time on the road and are often cheaper – on average by 20%;
• Contact government organizations. There are psychotherapists in the staff of state neuropsychiatric institutions. You can get help after a preliminary visit to a psychiatrist if the doctor thinks that you need this kind of help. You can also talk to a full-time psychologist who works in the organization where you are employed or in the educational institution where you study;
• Also, information about free consultations can be found on the websites of large institutions that specialize in psychological assistance to the population;
• Search for charitable projects. The number of consultations and the choice of specialist are often limited by the organization’s resources, and the schedule of appointments with the therapist can be inconvenient;
• If the consultation is too expensive for you, you can discuss it directly with the therapist. Perhaps he or she will offer you a discount or redirect you to a trusted colleague whose sessions are cheaper;
• You can also choose a psychotherapist with little work experience right away: they often charge lower prices for their consultations in order to gain experience, reputation and client base.

Be wary of psychotherapists who, for no apparent reason, charge significantly less for their counseling than their colleagues. This may be a sign of low qualification of a specialist.

How effective is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, unlike medicine, is not evidence-based. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t help.

MRI scans in people treated with psychotherapy for depression are similar to those in people taking antidepressants. Therapy literally changes the brain in people with anxiety and borderline disorders.

For people with chronic insomnia and eating disorders, psychotherapy works even better than drugs, which is why progressive doctors prescribe it as first-line therapy. Psychotherapy is also one of the most reliable ways to quit smoking.

In general, scientists recognize that psychotherapy is effective in treating many diseases and improves the quality of life of people.

At the same time, you should not expect that you will certainly feel joy and elation after the very first session. On the contrary, questions from the therapist can discourage you or even anger you. This does not mean that psychotherapy is not suitable for you and that it does not work. Strong emotions can be the harbingers of the first major and important changes in your behavior and way of thinking.

If you have been going to sessions for a month or two, but you do not notice any progress, discuss it with a therapist. A doctor is also interested in the result, and it is important for him/her to receive feedback. Perhaps a specialist will suggest that you try another psychotherapeutic method or go for a consultation with another doctor.

No specialist will give you a 100% guarantee that psychotherapy will help you. But such promises cause skepticism in any area: too many factors can affect the result. You can just try. You can refuse to communicate with a psychotherapist at any time.

Category: General

Tags: finance, money, psychology, psychotherapy