Budgeting for Therapy: Gentle Ways to Make Mental Health Support More Accessible
Therapy can be essential support during the moments we need it most. Because it’s a highly specialized and deeply needed service, therapy rates can sometimes feel out of reach.
My hope is that this post helps you understand why therapy can feel expensive and the ways you can budget for it so financial stress isn’t part of the equation.
The options are more accessible than you may think.
Why Therapy Is Expensive
Therapists and counselors on average complete three years of intensive graduate training, including coursework, practicum, and internship (most of which is unpaid).
After graduation, we spend another 1–3 years providing clinical care under supervision while meeting the state’s required number of hours for licensure.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I completed 2,000 hours of supervised practice in Colorado, including 1,500 hours of direct client care and 1,000 of those hours specifically with couples and families.
Working with couples and families was my first love in therapy, and it continues to shape how I work with individuals now — especially those navigating grief.
Esther Perel writes, “the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives,” and grief makes this truth painfully clear. Loss not only highlights the significance of the person who died but also reveals the strengths and limits of our relationships among the living.
Grieving alone is impossible; we need other people.
This is why having multiple support options matters, and why different types of therapy can help bridge the gap between emotional support and financial accessibility.
Financially Accessible Therapy Options
Below are several ways to make therapy more affordable while still receiving meaningful support. I encourage you to talk with your therapist whether it’s me or someone else — about what might work best for your needs and your budget.
Sliding Scale
Many therapists offer sliding‑scale rates to make therapy more affordable. Sliding scale allows therapist and client to collaborate on a rate that feels manageable while still honoring the therapist’s time and expertise.
In my practice, sliding‑scale sessions begin at $125, a rate I’ve honored since 2020.
Shorter or Longer Sessions
A lot can be accomplished in a focused 45‑minute or 30‑minute check‑in session.
These shorter sessions offer financial and scheduling flexibility and are ideal for clients who are generally regulated, have coping skills in place, and are looking for supportive maintenance rather than in‑depth processing.
In my practice:
45 minutes — $110
30 minutes — $75
I help clients determine whether shorter sessions are a good fit for their needs.
Group Support
Processing grief with others can reduce the isolation that often follows loss. Group therapy is also more financially accessible due to the shared format.
In my practice:
Grief group therapy — $35 per participant
The Extended Session
Sometimes you don’t need weekly therapy — you need one longer session to focus on what’s most present. The Extended Session offers 90 minutes of dedicated support and a personalized plan and resources.
90 minutes — $300
Insurance Reimbursement
While I’ve happily supported many clients using insurance, I’m ending my contracts with insurance companies due to increased concerns about privacy, required diagnoses, and the possibility of notes being audited.
But many clients still use their out‑of‑network benefits. This means you pay your session rate at the time of service, and I provide a “superbill” you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Depending on your plan, clients often receive $60–$120 back per session.
Final Thoughts
Grief asks a lot of us, and finding support shouldn’t add to the weight you’re already carrying.
My hope is that these options help you see that therapy can be shaped to fit both your emotional needs and your financial reality. There are many ways to access care that feels steady, gentle, and truly supportive.
If you’re navigating grief and wondering what kind of support might feel right for you, you’re welcome to reach out. And if you’re working with another therapist, I encourage you to talk openly with them about your financial needs — many therapists are more flexible than people expect.
You deserve care that feels manageable, comforting, and grounded in your unique experience.
About Lauren
Lauren Lottino, LMFT, is a Colorado therapist specializing in grief, anxiety, trauma, sexual assault and abuse recovery. Her approach to therapy is warm, direct, and focused on helping clients create meaningful change in their lives.
