Cost Remains a Significant Barrier to Accessing Therapy: Verywell Mind Survey Reveals

A survey conducted by Verywell Mind has brought to light the significant role cost plays in hindering access to mental health therapy. The survey's findings highlight that cost is a major concern for individuals seeking therapy, often leading to stress and discontinuation of treatment.

Even though many individuals recognize the value of therapy, they face concerns about affording it over the long term. This concern applies to individuals with and without insurance coverage. A considerable 40% of respondents indicated the need for financial assistance to attend therapy, emphasizing the persistent barrier of cost, particularly for those starting treatment.

Therapy provides substantial benefits for individuals struggling with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and more. It is often a crucial component of mental health treatment, complementing medication and lifestyle changes. Leaving mental health conditions untreated or inadequately treated can have significant negative impacts on an individual's quality of life.

However, the survey, conducted during a time of heightened stress and anxiety, revealed a disturbing reality: therapy costs may exacerbate these emotions for some individuals.

Breaking Down Therapy Costs

The majority (62%) of respondents reported paying out-of-pocket costs for therapy, averaging $178 per month. Individuals with insurance coverage are often still burdened by these costs, with 71% of respondents possessing insurance and 36% receiving assistance through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). A significant 38% of respondents relied on financial assistance from others to afford therapy.

The financial burden of therapy costs has instilled worry among Americans about continuing care. Nearly half (49%) expressed concern about long-term affordability, and a similar proportion (48%) indicated they would discontinue therapy sessions if out-of-pocket expenses increased.

Moreover, many individuals have already been affected by these costs. A third of respondents have missed sessions due to out-of-pocket costs, 39% have reduced session frequency, and 31% have temporarily stopped therapy to save money for other essential expenses.

For many, discontinuing therapy was not temporary. Over a third of surveyed Americans who are no longer in therapy attributed their discontinuation to cost-related reasons, such as changes in insurance coverage, expiring EAP benefits, or unaffordable sessions.

While a third claimed to have stopped therapy after achieving their mental health goals, this finding reinforces the benefits of therapy, particularly for those who can afford it.

Some perceive cost barriers as unchangeable, with only a third (36%) negotiating fees with providers and only half (54%) being aware of "sliding scale" fees, which allow providers to adjust charges based on a patient's income and financial situation.

Other Cost Considerations

The costs associated with therapy extend beyond individual session fees. Transportation, childcare, and other self-care practices often accompany therapy, contributing to the overall expense.

Despite the rise of telehealth and remote therapy, 69% of those surveyed receive therapy outside the home, with about half driving themselves to appointments. During these sessions, roughly a third incur childcare or elder care expenses. Those who utilized childcare services to attend therapy reported an average monthly cost of $100, in addition to therapy costs.

Finding providers and dealing with limited appointment availability also presented challenges. Half of the respondents reported difficulties scheduling appointments, finding providers, or finding in-network providers.

Despite these challenges, 80% of Americans in therapy consider it a worthwhile investment, 91% are satisfied with the quality of care they receive, and nearly 80% believe therapy is key to achieving their mental health goals.

Creating Equal Access

The survey's findings emphasize the pressing need for financial assistance, such as broader insurance coverage, employee benefits, and openness to sliding scale models, to expand access to therapy, which many consider highly beneficial care. Telehealth can also help break down cost barriers for individuals with children or who live far from potential providers.

There is a growing openness among Americans to discussing mental health and seeking help from a therapist. It is essential to ensure they have every opportunity to do so.

Methodology

Verywell conducted a survey from March 24 to April 2, 2022, involving 1000 American adults who had regular therapy or consultations with a mental health professional over the last three months or more. The survey population mirrored the national distribution for gender, race/ethnicity, and region, using the Census's American Community Survey estimates as a benchmark.