How much does therapy cost, and is it worth it?

Why prices vary so much

The cost of a session depends on the country, the therapist’s training and experience, the length of the session and whether you meet online or in a practice. Private sessions in a city practice usually cost more than online sessions, partly because the therapist is paying for a room.

What you are paying for

A session is not only the fifty minutes you see. It includes your therapist’s preparation and notes, their ongoing supervision and training, and their professional registration and insurance. That is also why missed sessions are usually charged.

How many sessions will you need?

There is no fixed number. Focused work on a specific problem often takes somewhere between six and twenty sessions. Longer-standing difficulties can take more. Many people start weekly and move to every two weeks as things improve, which changes the monthly cost considerably.

Ways to make it affordable

• Ask your employer whether they offer or reimburse counselling.
• Check whether your health insurance refunds part of the cost against a receipt.
• Choose a plan with a lower price per session if you expect to come regularly.
• Space sessions out once you are past the first phase.
• Agree a clear goal with your therapist, so the work stays focused.

Is it worth it?

A useful comparison is the cost of not changing anything: sleep, work, relationships and health all carry the weight of untreated distress. Therapy is an investment with an end date. A good therapist works to make themselves unnecessary.

Our prices are public and the first conversation is free. See pricing and work out your monthly cost with the calculator.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are in crisis, please use the resources on our Get help now page.