How Much Does Therapy Cost? A Licensed Therapist Explains
One of the most common questions people ask when considering therapy is:
“How much does mental health therapy cost?”
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New Jersey, Vermont, and Florida, with a physical office in Red Bank, NJ, I believe transparency around therapy costs is an important part of ethical . Understanding what therapy costs—and what you’re actually paying for—can help you make an informed, confident decision about your mental health.
Average Cost of Therapy in New Jersey (and Beyond)
The cost of therapy varies based on factors such as provider experience, location, session length, and specialization. In my private practice:
Initial therapy session (60 minutes): $175
Ongoing therapy sessions (45 minutes): $150
I offer therapy in person in Red Bank, NJ and via telehealth for clients in NJ, VT, and FL.
Why Dayna Doesn’t Accept Insurance for Therapy
Many people ask why some therapists, including myself, do not participate directly with insurance companies. My decision is based on several professional and ethical considerations:
Low insurance reimbursement rates that often don’t reflect the true cost of providing high-quality care
Insurance interference in treatment, including pressure to assign diagnoses or limit session frequency
Privacy concerns, as insurance companies require access to clinical information
Delayed payments and administrative burden, which reduce time available for client care
While I am an out-of-network therapist, many clients use their out-of-network benefits. I provide a superbill after sessions, which clients can submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. Many clients are surprised to receive a meaningful portion of their therapy fee back.
What Therapy Fees Actually Include
Therapy is more than the time spent in session. Your fee supports a comprehensive, individualized approach to care, including:
Personalized treatment planning
Between-session resources and tools
Worksheets and practical skill-building exercises
Email support when clinically appropriate
Coordination of care with other providers, when needed
This approach helps therapy be both supportive and effective, with a focus on long-term change rather than short-term relief.
Is Therapy Worth the Cost? A Real-World Perspective
A client I worked with recently was concerned about starting therapy during a period of high expenses and lower income. He also worried about finding the time and emotional energy to attend weekly sessions and hoped for an instant fix rather than gradual work.
We talked about how anxiety quietly taxes everything—sleep, work performance, relationships, concentration, and decision-making. Over time, untreated anxiety often leads to exhaustion and burnout.
As therapy progressed, he noticed that as anxiety decreased, mental energy was freed up. He could focus better at work, complete tasks more efficiently, and actually enjoy downtime without constant worry.
We also explored how anxiety often pushes people toward avoidance or rushed decisions, just to feel temporary relief—choices that can create long-term consequences. Therapy helped him slow down, think clearly, and make decisions aligned with his values rather than fear. This often prevents what I refer to as “costly detours” driven by anxiety and self-doubt.
Therapy as a Long-Term Investment in Mental Health
Therapy isn’t just emotional support—it’s skill development.
Clients learn skills to:
Manage anxious and depressive thoughts
Tolerate uncertainty
Regulate emotions during stress
Problem-solve instead of shutting down
These skills often last long after therapy ends.
Many people delay therapy until symptoms become overwhelming. Addressing anxiety, depression, insomnia, or life transitions earlier can often save time, money, and emotional energy by preventing crises later on.
Who Benefits Most from Private-Pay Therapy?
Out-of-network therapy tends to be a good fit for people who:
Value privacy and autonomy in their care
Want individualized, flexible treatment
Are seeking depth, insight, and practical skills
Prefer not to have treatment dictated by insurance guidelines
When private-pay therapy isn’t the right fit financially, I help clients explore insurance-based options or community resources.
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Therapy
Therapy is an investment—and it’s understandable to pause before making it. Many clients ultimately find that therapy saves energy, time, and emotional cost by helping them function better, think more clearly, and feel less weighed down by stress.
At its core, therapy provides a consistent, non-judgmental space to get unstuck and move forward with intention.
If you have questions about therapy costs, out-of-network benefits, or whether working together would be a good fit, I encourage you to reach out. Clear information is often the first step toward meaningful change.