| Many individuals and/or couples would like to go to | | | | way. You can search online, but the best advice would |
| counseling, but, in today's economy, it may not be | | | | probably be to go at least with online counselors who |
| possible because of the expense. I will give you an | | | | are licensed in their respective states. There is some |
| idea of what to expect as far as costs go. | | | | controversy with internet/phone counseling for many |
| Free or Very Low Cost | | | | reasons: which state would make sure the counseling |
| Often times you can actually find free or low cost | | | | is legitimate (the caller may be in a different state than |
| counseling at universities and/or churches, but there | | | | the counselor), confidentiality is not certain when |
| may not be many choices. | | | | counseling by phone and/or internet, and one of the |
| Graduate school counseling programs - You will need | | | | main factors is that not being present/in person with |
| to get out your phonebook and/or look on the internet | | | | your counselor can have its limits. Body language, |
| for local universities. Call them, ask if they have a | | | | nonverbal cues, and other helpful info for the therapist |
| graduate counseling department, and ask if they have | | | | are not present in the session. Furthermore, you do not |
| graduate students who will counsel for free or for a | | | | get the immediate, personal feedback when a |
| reduced fee. These graduate counselors are almost | | | | therapist is not in front of you. However, if you are shy, |
| always supervised by a licensed counselor. | | | | more of a private individual, in a rural location, or simply |
| Churches - Also, look up some area churches, call | | | | do not want to go to an in-person counselor then you |
| them, and ask if they have counseling. Sometimes the | | | | could look up some online counseling sites. |
| church will only offer counseling to members, but many | | | | Although I do not personally endorse this website |
| offer counseling to the community. Many times you do | | | | because I am not overly familiar with it, you can go to |
| not have to share their same beliefs and they often | | | | a forum/community counseling site for help like There |
| have excellent classes and/or programs for | | | | are many others and they are sometimes free. While |
| relationship and individual improvement as well. Many | | | | this method of counseling can be helpful, you might be |
| churches do not charge anything, but some may | | | | smart to proceeded with caution and ask a lot of |
| charge a small amount. These counselors are usually | | | | questions before paying. The fees for online counseling |
| not licensed by the state, but some churches do have | | | | can vary, but are usually around the following: One |
| licensed counselors. The church counselors may be | | | | question by email could cost about $30. You can |
| certified in a particular type of counseling and some | | | | sometimes buy packages which will make the |
| are not. | | | | individual email/question price come down. Expect |
| Lower Cost Counseling | | | | $40-$100+ for a 1 hour phone session or an online chat |
| You can call local counseling agencies, again from the | | | | session. |
| net or phonebook, and ask if they have the following: | | | | Can I Use My Insurance? |
| interns, resident counselors, licensed therapist | | | | At times, you can use insurance. A few good |
| associates, and/or a sliding scale that depends on | | | | insurance companies will pay for individual counseling, |
| income. Often times a full service counseling agency | | | | but sometimes limit it to 8 or 10 sessions. Some |
| will have counselors in training who are less expensive, | | | | companies will pay for some of the counseling fees, |
| but you will need to ask. These counselors are usually | | | | but require you to pay the rest (called a co-pay). A |
| supervised by a licensed counselor and are often very | | | | few insurance companies will pay for marital |
| good. You might expect to pay between $45-75 an | | | | counseling, but not very many. I have only heard of |
| hour. | | | | one insurance company paying for premarital |
| Normal Counseling Fees | | | | counseling. |
| If you go to a licensed marriage and family therapist, a | | | | Sometimes you can use your HSA (health savings |
| licensed mental health care worker, or a licensed | | | | account) to pay for counseling. |
| personal counselor you can expect to pay between | | | | When it comes to using insurance to pay for |
| $75 and $150+. These individuals are licensed by their | | | | counseling fees you will need to contact your |
| respective states and usually, but not always, have | | | | insurance or HSA provider. Usually you can turn the |
| more years of experience. If you need relationship | | | | card over and then simply call the number on the back. |
| advice see a marriage and family therapist. If you need | | | | Can My Counseling Problem/Situation Influence the |
| individual advice a licensed personal counselor, licensed | | | | Fees? |
| mental health counselor, or even a licensed social | | | | Sometimes, but not usually. Whether you are a |
| worker would work well. | | | | premarital, married, or any other type of couple the fee |
| Internet/Phone Counseling | | | | will usually be the same per hour. The same would |
| There are so many online therapist/counseling sites | | | | apply if you are an individual. |
| that I may not be able to review this field in a proper | | | | |