Where to find free or affordable therapy?
Discover programs and platforms that offer free or low cost therapy
THERAPY NAVIGATION & GUIDE
Interactive Module
If you are struggling to pay for therapy, no worries. There are many options available to you. We've compiled a list of options to get started.
Resources
Military personnel, Vets & Families
If you’re a military vet who needs some support, you might want to check out Give an Hour. This is a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health care to veterans and their families. You can find a therapist near you who specializes in trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other issues. You can also join online support groups and workshops.
If you are on active duty, check out, Military OneSource. It is a website that provides support for military personnel and their families. It offers information, resources and confidential help on topics such as moving, health, education, career, finance and more. It also has interactive tools and services such as non-medical counseling, specialty consultations, financial counseling, language services and more. It is a Department of Defense-funded program that offers free, confidential, non-medical counseling, financial counseling, document translation, spouse education and career benefits, child care options and more. You can access Military OneSource anytime, anywhere by phone, live chat or online consultation.
Health Care Professionals
The Emotional PPE Project is a non-profit organization that provides free, confidential therapy to healthcare workers. The project was founded in 2020 by two nurses, Mary Beth Murphy, and Kathleen Walsh, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare workers, who have been on the front lines of the crisis. Many healthcare workers have experienced burnout, anxiety, and depression. The Emotional PPE Project aims to provide these workers with the support they need to cope with the challenges they are facing.
The project works by connecting healthcare workers with volunteer mental health professionals. The therapists are all licensed and experienced, and they offer a variety of therapy modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, and teletherapy. The therapy is free of charge, and it is confidential.
The Emotional PPE Project has helped hundreds of healthcare workers since it was founded. The project has received positive feedback from both healthcare workers and therapists. Healthcare workers have said that the therapy has helped them to manage their stress, improve their mood, and cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Therapists have said that they are grateful to be able to offer their services to healthcare workers, and they have seen firsthand the positive impact that therapy can have on these workers.
The Emotional PPE Project is a valuable resource for healthcare workers. The project provides free, confidential therapy to healthcare workers who are struggling with the challenges of the pandemic. The project has helped hundreds of healthcare workers, and it is making a positive difference in their lives.
Here are some of the benefits of using the Emotional PPE Project:
It is free to use.
It is confidential.
It is available to healthcare workers in the United States.
It is staffed by licensed mental health professionals.
It offers a variety of therapy modalities.
It has helped hundreds of healthcare workers.
Website: https://www.emotionalppe.org/
Therapy Aide Coalition: This is a nonprofit organization that provides free therapy to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a network of licensed therapists who volunteer their time and expertise to help frontline workers cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, and burnout. If you are a health care professional, a first responder, a grocery store worker, or any other essential worker, you can sign up for free therapy sessions on their website: https://therapyaide.org/
For Anyone In Financial Need: $30+ Per session Therapy
Open Path Collective: This is a platform that connects clients with therapists who offer sliding scale fees. They have a diverse and inclusive community of therapists who specialize in various issues and modalities. You can join their collective for a one-time membership fee of $59 and then pay between $30 and $60 per session depending on your income level. You can search for a therapist by location, specialty, or identity on their website: https://openpathcollective.org/
Peer-to-Peer Counseling For Anyone ( Free.99)
BuddyHelp.org: This is a platform that connects people who need emotional support with trained volunteers who offer peer-to-peer counseling. They have a global network of buddies who are compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental. You can chat with a buddy anytime, anywhere, for free. You can also sign up as a volunteer if you want to help others. You can find out more about their mission and services on their website: https://buddyhelp.org/
7 Cups of Tea is a free online peer support platform that allows users to connect with trained listeners who can provide emotional support.
LGBTQi+ Communities
Pride Counseling: This is a platform that connects LGBTQi individuals with licensed therapists who are experienced and knowledgeable about the issues they face. They offer online counseling sessions via phone, video, or chat at an affordable rate. You can choose a therapist who matches your preferences and goals on their website: https://www.pridecounseling.com/
Monthly Subscription Platforms: 200+/month
BetterHelp: This is one of the largest online counseling platforms that offers access to thousands of licensed therapists who can help you with various issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationships, self-esteem, and more. They offer unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions at a flat monthly fee that varies depending on your location and financial situation. You can get matched with a therapist within 24 hours on their website: https://www.betterhelp.com/
Free Text Counseling
Crisis Text Line is a global non-profit organization that provides free, 24/7, confidential text messaging support to people in crisis. The organization was founded in 2013 by Nancy Lublin and is headquartered in New York City. Crisis Text Line is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
To access Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor will receive the text and respond, all from their secure online platform. The Crisis Counselor will help the texter move from a “hot moment” to a “cool calm” through an approach that is centered on empathetic listening, collaborative problem-solving, and referral suggestions.Crisis Text Line has been featured in a number of publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time magazine. The organization has also been recognized by a number of organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Psychological Association.Website: https://www.crisistextline.org/
Mental Health Tips & Tricks Via Text Message:
Small Steps SMS is a text messaging program that helps people with mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. It answers some frequently asked questions about the program, such as its purpose, cost, privacy, and how to stop or change the messages. It also provides some resources for people who need more help or want to learn more about mental health treatment options. The web page is developed by Mental Health America and its research partners. https://app.mhatxt.co/enroll?tag=BT
Free Interactive Depression & Anxiety Courses:
Bliss is an 8-session interactive online therapy program for depression that you complete on your own. The program is based on psychotherapy treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT for short. CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression. The program is designed to teach you techniques that have been shown to be effective at improving your mood and mental health.
Bliss is a flagship program developed by CIMHS, a not-for-profit organization that creates and delivers online therapy programs based on clinical psychology research.
The My Anxiety Plan (MAP) for Adults is a free online anxiety management program created by Anxiety Canada. It is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), an evidence-based psychological treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders.
The MAP program is designed to help adults with mild to moderate anxiety learn how to manage their symptoms. It includes six units, each of which focuses on a different aspect of anxiety management. The units include:
Understanding Anxiety
Identifying Your Anxiety Triggers
Managing Your Anxiety Symptoms
Coping with Stress
Building a Support Network
Maintaining Your Anxiety Management Plan
The MAP program is self-paced and can be completed at your own convenience. It includes a variety of resources, including videos, worksheets, and exercises, to help you learn and apply the skills taught in the program.
If you are struggling with anxiety, the MAP program can be a helpful resource. It can teach you the skills you need to manage your symptoms and live a more fulfilling life.
Here are some of the benefits of using the MAP program:
It is free to use.
It is self-paced, so you can work at your own pace.
It is evidence-based, meaning it is based on scientific research.
It is easy to use, with a variety of resources to help you learn and apply the skills taught in the program.
It can be helpful for people with mild to moderate anxiety.
If you are interested in learning more about the MAP program, please visit the Anxiety Canada website.