How much does mental health treatment cost?
Asked by: Prof. Mikel Swaniawski | Last update: November 4, 2025Score: 5/5 (9 votes)
How much does a month in a mental hospital cost?
On average, you might expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 per day for inpatient treatment. This can add up to $15,000 to $60,000 for a typical 30-day stay. Costs may include comprehensive care such as psychiatric evaluations, individual therapy, group sessions, and medication management.
How affordable is mental health care?
According to a report, the average cost of psychiatric hospitalization in the United States is $9,293 per week. For individuals with insurance, the out-of-pocket cost can still be significant, with deductibles and co-pays ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Why is mental health therapy so expensive?
The high cost of therapy can result from using an out-of-network provider, not having adequate insurance, or your therapist's overhead costs increasing session prices. Fortunately, if traditional therapy is too expensive and you're looking for creative, effective ways to reduce that price tag, you have several options.
Is therapy free with insurance?
Does health insurance cover the cost of therapy? The short answer is: it depends. Most plans in the United States cover mental health similarly to how they cover other medical costs, meaning that sessions could be billed with a co-pay or go toward your deductible.
Cost for Mental Illness Treatment
Is 20 therapy sessions enough?
According to the APA: On average, 15 to 20 sessions are enough for 50% of patients to self-report that they have recovered from symptoms. Many psychological treatments that last a moderate duration, like weekly sessions for 12 to 16 weeks, result in significant clinical improvements.
What is the average cost of mental health care?
The average cost of mental health treatment without insurance can vary. Outpatient mental health psychiatric services generally cost between $100 and $300 per session, though the cost can vary. Some psychiatrists offer sliding-scale fees based on your income or may have payment plans available to help manage expenses.
Is therapy really worth the money?
Around 75% of people who attend psychotherapy for their mental health have shown an improvement in their mental well-being. Studies have shown that yes - therapy does work, and those who use therapy have improved mental health. However, therapy only works if you put the effort into making it work.
Why is mental health not covered by insurance?
The parity law does not require insurers to provide mental health benefits—rather, the law states that if mental health benefits are offered, they can't have more restrictive requirements than those that apply to physical health benefits.
How to get a free therapist?
Community centers, hospitals, schools, and places of worship sometimes offer free or low-cost counseling. Many community organizations also host peer-support groups (groups run by people facing the same issues) and recovery groups which can provide additional care.
How many people can t afford mental health treatment?
Just over 10% of American adults with a mental illness do not have health insurance, the report found, representing nearly six million people. Almost a quarter of adults who experience 14 or more mentally unhealthy days a month could not afford to see a clinician, a 2% increase from the previous year.
What is the cost of poor mental health?
Review of methodology and update of calculations
This analysis finds that the total cost of mental ill health in England in 2022 was £300 billion. The cost is comprised of three major elements: Economic costs of £110bn: Losses to the economy due to mental ill health.
Is staying in a mental hospital free?
Depending on your location and the facility, an inpatient stay at a mental health hospital often exceeds $1,000 a day. Mental health hospitalizations are typically covered by insurance including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover mental health?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S., providing coverage for one in three Americans -- including mental health, behavioral health, and therapy services.
What is a 5150?
5150 is the number of the section of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which allows an adult who is experiencing a mental health crisis to be involuntarily detained for a 72- hour psychiatric hospitalization when evaluated to be a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled.
What are the cons of therapy?
- Time and Commitment. Therapy requires time and commitment. Regular sessions are necessary to build a therapeutic relationship and make progress. ...
- Cost. Another potential drawback of therapy is the cost. Depending on your location and insurance coverage, therapy sessions can be expensive.
How do I know if I need therapy?
The need for professional treatment can be most apparent when symptoms of mental illness impair our usual feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. A therapist has the training necessary to help when changes in your mental health lead to symptoms like: Avoiding social interaction and having trouble in relationships.
Does therapy actually work for anxiety?
Most patients who suffer from anxiety are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several (or fewer) months of psychotherapy, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions. Psychologists are highly trained and will tailor a treatment plan to address the unique needs of each patient.
How do people afford mental health care?
Federally qualified health centers across the country provide mental health services, and many offer tele-counseling. They will help you even if you have no health insurance; you pay what you can afford based on your income. Use the health center locator tool to search for a health center by address, state, or county.
How much is a mental hospital bill?
On average, hospital stays for mental health and substance use disorders cost $1,400 per day.
Why is mental health so expensive?
Specialized Training and Education. The specialized training and education required to become a mental health professional are extensive and rigorous, contributing significantly to the overall costs of mental health care.
Why do therapists do 50 minute sessions?
The rationale behind the “50-minute hour” is that it provides the right amount of time to do the therapeutic work. At the same time, it leaves time for the therapist and client to wind down at the end. It also gives the therapist enough time to take a quick break and write notes in between clients.
How long is too long in therapy?
Embarking on a therapeutic journey raises a natural question: How long is too long in therapy? Navigating the maze of emotions and self-discovery, it's normal to wonder how long the process should take. The truth is that each person's therapeutic journey is different, and there's no concrete answer to the question.
How many clients should a therapist see in a day?
Research by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that almost 42% of psychologists work between 40 – 49 hours per week on average. “It's not uncommon for therapists to see an average of 6-9 clients per day and up to 20 plus per week.