What to do if You Can’t Afford Therapy Anymore? 

Financial problems can come knocking at any time. One can say it’s as predictable as rain, you may or may not see it coming. Financial problems cause stress that leads to poor mental health, which leads to the need for therapy, which circles into needing money. It’s a vicious cycle. Undoubtedly, because of the lack of government policy related to mental health, therapy is a luxury that everyone cannot afford. Therapy can be short and just last a few sessions or it can go on for years depending on the individual’s condition.

Even short therapies are not easy on the wallet, let alone long ones. There has been a notable increase in the number of individuals choosing therapy to enhance their overall well-being. Many start therapy but often drop out in the middle of it. Why is it that only a few individuals can complete therapy while others choose to drop out?

A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that one in three Americans discontinued therapy due to financial strain (Ingram, 2022). After getting a taste of therapy, it can be hard to move on. However, don’t panic, discontinuing therapy does not mean your life is ruined. Even without being able to afford therapy, you can live your best life.

Why Do People Take Therapy? 

Before we dive into the replacements, let’s understand why people go to therapy and why it’s important for many. While there is no one set reason for going to therapy, there is one thing in common- “I need help”. The reason for choosing therapy can vary from individual to individual, but the need for support serves as a universal common thread. Some common reasons for taking therapy include: 

1. Managing symptoms of a diagnosis:

If you have been diagnosed with a condition, you might feel that medicine alone is just not enough. Most treatment plans include regular therapy sessions along with medications. This is because medication alone cannot equip you with the skills to cope with the difficulties posed by a mental health condition. While medicine helps control symptoms, therapy works on the negative thoughts that are impacting you. It equips people with skills and coping mechanisms to get back into their regular lives and strengthen resilience.

2. Experiencing a significant life event or transition:

We all know change is inevitable, but does that make it any easier? The answer is- most of the time not. Despite knowing that change will happen over time, it can be hard to cope when it’s here. Similarly, life at times throws major events that are hard to cope with. Death of loved ones or going through divorce among many can drastically impact your mental health. It can help individuals accept and cope with changes and major life events suddenly thrown into their lives.

3. Feeling overwhelmed:

Have you ever experienced the sensation we call “thoughts swirling around”? Most people reading this might have experienced feeling like this at least once in their life. For some people, this rare occurrence happens one too many times for comfort. Therapy can help individuals understand themselves and figure themselves out. It equips people with strategies to deal with overwhelm and take control of their lives. 

4. Difficulty concentrating:

If you have a lot of thoughts fighting for dominance in your head, chances are you are going to find it pretty hard to concentrate on your studies or work. A therapist can help individuals form a routine and learn how to stick with it. If you are struggling to understand your goals and priorities, therapy can help you sort it out and guide you towards success (Wright, 2021). 

5. Actions affecting loved ones:

“Ignorance is bliss”. We often can ignore the consequences of our actions till they are affecting only our lives. However, before you know it will start affecting your relationships with others. Therapy can help mend both broken spirits and broken relationships. 

What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford Therapy Anymore? 

There is no shame in admitting that it is not something you can afford anymore. After reading about the importance of therapy, your worries might have skyrocketed. However, you don’t need to stress about not affording therapy anymore, because the solution is right here. Let’s dive into some replacements or strategies to keep getting the much-required help: 

1. Try Attending Group Therapy:

Humans learn by watching others. When we hear other people talking about similar experiences, a sense of empowerment emerges. As people take turns to share their stories, a sense of unity is formed, making everyone’s heart a bit warmer. Group therapy serves as a good alternative to conventional therapy and is more affordable. It can be hard at first to get used to speaking about your earlier confidential troubles, but eventually, you’ll start seeing positive changes (Heyl, 2023). 

2. Look For Pro Bono Therapy:

At the core of psychology lies empathy and compassion. Many therapists offer pro bono, also commonly known as free therapy plans. Therapy remains to be a luxury only a few can afford, so many therapists started an initiative to give voluntary therapy sessions free of cost to make therapy more accessible (Bray, 2021).

Pro bono therapy, also known as “free therapy”, is a voluntary service where mental health professionals provide counselling services without charge to people who can’t afford it.

Many new therapists also offer free therapy sessions to make their presence known among potential clients. Switching therapists, especially after finally getting comfortable with them, can be challenging and unfortunate. However, any help is better than no help at all. Pro bono therapy is a great way to continue receiving expert support when therapy is not something you can afford to spend on anymore.

3. Inquire about discounted prices, shorter sessions or sliding scales:

Openly communicate about your inability to continue affording therapy with your therapist without feeling embarrassed. Most therapists are aware of and understand the challenges posed by rising prices and inflation. Don’t shy away from asking your therapist if they offer sliding scales or discounts (Rowe, 2021). If they don’t, then inquire if you can receive shorter sessions that cost less or visit them less frequently instead of quitting altogether. 

4. Look into self-help apps, books or podcasts:

Therapy is not the only method to heal. You can take the lead and guide your healing journey on your own with the support of online resources. A good deal of self-help and meditation apps have flooded the internet with mental health resources to manage your emotions. With improving technology, psychologists are working on apps that can provide affordable services from the comfort of your home. More and more people are now creating podcasts to document their mental health journey, sharing valuable advice and practical tips that worked for them. If you enjoy reading, invest in some affordable self-help guides as they can help provide a structure to your journey towards wellbeing and healthy habits. 

5. Vent it out on a piece of paper:

Venting plays a huge role in the therapeutic process. Just by sharing our feelings and troubles with the therapist, a huge burden is lifted off our shoulders. Don’t let your financial issues stop you from getting things off your chest. Take a piece of paper and list down every thought plaguing your mind, then take a lighter and burn the sheet of paper. As you watch the sheet burn, feel your body relax as your worries burn away. 

6. Make lifestyle changes:

It’s uncomfortable to hear but eating healthy, sleeping on time and exercising increase happiness, horrible, right? On a serious note, healthier life choices play a crucial role in fostering positive mental health. Unhealthy lifestyle practices, such as sleeping less or eating junk every day, significantly impact your mental well-being. Ironically, making healthy lifestyle changes in a full busy routine can be overwhelming.

Here is where productivity apps come into play. Many productivity apps provide tailored daily schedules to match your busy lifestyle for free or at an affordable price. This doesn’t mean you have to dramatically transform your life overnight. Instead, try incorporating small but impactful habits slowly and gradually. Always keep in mind that good and long-lasting change takes time (Shamsi, 2020). 

7. Practice self-care:

Stop! Before you roll your eyes and brush off this term again, pause for a minute and reflect. Ask yourself why every other psychologist keeps repeating the concept of self-care like a broken record. Did you figure it out? It’s a hard pill to swallow, but every human being needs to take care of their own needs first, which includes even great humanitarian leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.

If you keep sacrificing your personal needs, you are bound to burn out. There is nothing selfish about self-care. Studies have revealed that it increases your capacity to be compassionate towards the world. Just taking 10 minutes out of the day for yourself can be a game-changer and improve your mental health.

Read More: Self Care: What It Is And What It Isn’t 

Sadly therapy has still not been acknowledged as a human right everywhere. More and more countries and governments are starting to realize its importance and are working on mental health-related policies. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that as of right now only a few can afford long and expensive therapy. It is unfortunate but make sure to grab any and every opportunity to get back your life on track and foster positive mental health. Financial issues are not the end of the world even if you cannot afford therapy now with some subtle changes in your life you can continue your healing journey. 

FAQs

1. What if I don’t have money and need therapy? 

Contact and check your local services. Most hospitals under state or central government are a good point to start. Try searching for available pro bono therapy or new clinicians to get quality affordable or free services.

2. How can I recover without therapy? 

While it is helpful, through mindfulness practices, regular self-care and a healthy lifestyle you can get back on track. However, with more severe mental health conditions it might be hard to manage symptoms without medication or therapy. 

3. How can I heal myself mentally? 

Change and pain are a part of our life but some events leave a gaping wound in our lives. However, through developing loving and supporting relationships, being mindful, and practising self-compassion you can start your journey towards healing yourself. The Internet is full of resources and tools to ground your mind and live a fulfilling life.

4. Is it ever too late to get therapy? 

Don’t let your current circumstances stop you from seeking therapy later in life when you can afford to. It is never too late to get therapy and seek help. Psychotherapy is equally helpful for older adults so don’t hesitate to seek therapy during favourable circumstances.