Do you pay before or after a therapy session?
Asked by: Mr. Paxton Rolfson | Last update: August 26, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (24 votes)
Do you pay for therapy before or after?
Patients usually pay for therapy sessions at the time of each session, either before or after the session takes place. The specific payment arrangement may vary depending on the therapist and their practice. Some therapists may require payment upfront, while others may allow patients to pay after the session.
How does payment for therapy work?
Paying For Therapy
Many electronic health records include a client portal where you can pay for sessions via credit or debit card, and providers often accept cash or check payments. You can use a health savings account (HSA) to cover your out-of-pocket therapy costs.
What happens if you can't pay at therapy?
If you do not have insurance, some therapists will work with you with something called a sliding scale. So this can decrease the fee for sessions with individuals who have less ability to pay. So, if I were you I would ask any therapist you speak to if they have a sliding scale.
How do you charge for therapy sessions?
One major factor to consider is the average cost of therapy in your area. Knowing that figure will give you a sense of how your rates compare to those of your peers! One way to do this is by using the Therapy Budget fee slider on Zencare to explore what other providers are charging near you.
How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session
How are therapy sessions billed?
You'll want to use your typical 90837 CPT code. Then you'll also want to use the Add On CPT code 99354 which declares an additional 30 to 74 minutes of therapy. So any time you do 90 to 2 hours and 14 minutes of therapy, make sure to use the combination of CPT Codes 90837 and +99354.
How much is a 60 minute therapy session?
Even if you don't have benefits that cover mental health services, Talkspace is still more affordable than most in-person therapy. The average cost of a traditional in-person therapy session is $175 - $500 per session — a big departure from our plans!
Do you have to pay out of pocket for a therapist?
The average cost of a therapy session without insurance ranges from $100 to over $200. The amount you pay depends on several factors, including the type of treatment and where you receive therapy. If you don't have insurance, you can still get free or low-cost mental health therapy.
How do I see a therapist when I have no money?
Search for Low-Fee Providers
Open Path focuses on having diverse and inclusive therapists, making it a great option for many who are uninsured or underinsured or who cannot afford a typical therapist's fee out-of-pocket. You may also want to look into nearby colleges and social service agencies.
How do therapists accept payment?
Most therapists accept cash, checks, and credit or debit cards.
How long does a therapist have to bill you?
Some insurers require claims to be filed very soon after services – 90 days is often a rule among private insurers. Others are more lenient with their time limits. For example, Medicare usually allows providers to file claims within a year to 18 months after services are provided.
How much is the copay for therapy?
If you have insurance with mental health coverage, the cost of a therapy session with an in-network therapist is usually the same as your co-pay to see a medical specialist. On average, specialist co-pays are about $30 to $50 per session.
How does therapist pay work?
A 50/50 split is very common, where the practitioner gets 50% and the group practice gets 50%. But it can vary from a 40/60 split to an 80/20 split (not that we'd ever recommend an 80/20 split). The upside is that if the practice reimbursement is low, the cost to pay the therapist is also lower.
What if I need therapy but it is too expensive?
There are a number of ways to search for affordable therapy, each with its drawbacks: community mental health services for those who qualify, consulting your insurance company if you have one, using a digital platform that offers lower cost therapy or trying group therapy.
What happens the first time you go to therapy?
At the beginning of your first therapy session, your therapist may walk you through a few more details, such as the types of therapy they practise and how to book future sessions. Your therapist will want to understand more about you and how they can help.
How to not pay for therapy?
University Counseling Departments: Some universities offer free or low-cost therapy to people willing to see a student or therapy trainee. Community Counseling Centers: Community mental health centers, other public mental health agencies, and mental health non-profits nearly always offer sliding scale rates.
What if I need counseling but can't afford it?
Look for a therapist who works on a sliding scale.
You can also can therapists individually and ask them if they adjust their fees for people who do not have insurance and cannot afford the full fee.
Which type of therapy is most cost-effective?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. It's also cost-effective over the long term.
How can you get free therapy?
Connect with a free mental health organization like NAMI or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to access local resources. Search for local support groups hosted near you. Some platforms, such as BetterHelp and its specialty sites ReGain and Teen Counseling, offer financial aid.
Do you pay before or after therapy?
Many therapists prefer to take care of payment up front, or to have clients pay for several sessions in advance; that way, both therapist and client avoid the awkward experience of having to discuss payment after a particularly difficult session. When should I ask about insurance coverage?
Does going to therapy go on your record?
In the same manner as medical records at a doctors office, they are strictly confidential and can only be accessed by an outside party with the permission of the client and in most cases a written consent. There is no worry that anyone will find out by your information being "public".
How much are therapy appointments without insurance?
The cost of therapy varies depending on various factors, such as the type of therapy, therapist, and the service provider. However, a person should generally expect to pay between $100 to $250 per session without insurance. Prices may differ depending on whether a person receives online or in-person therapy.
How much is a copay for therapy?
If you choose a therapist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, your therapy sessions likely cost between $15 - $50 per session, after you meet your deductible. The $15 - $50 amount is your copay, or the fixed amount that you owe at each therapy visit.
What is code 90837?
For CPT code 90837 (psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient), a physician or other qualified health care professional can report a prolonged service code if the psychotherapy service, not performed with an E/M service, is 90 minutes or longer involving direct patient contact.
How often should you go to therapy?
Weekly Sessions
A weekly session is a great place to start when beginning therapy. Generally, most patients will start with this frequency, then increase or decrease as needed. A weekly session is ideal for people who want to build skills related to things like mindfulness, coping, and communication.