Finding the right therapist can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
This can be especially true when you’re on a tight budget & you keep finding great therapists…
but they charge $125 or more for a fifty minute session.
But don’t despair!
Affordable counseling does exist in Austin, Texas!
At Counseling South Austin, we offer therapy on a sliding scale of $40 to $80 per session. You can learn more about our therapists here.
And if our fees don’t fit your budget, don’t fret!
There are a number of wonderful community agencies supported by grants and other funding sources that can offer services at a lower price point.
Here are a couple of clinics & agencies you can try:
1.) Capital Area Counseling
What to expect:
This clinic offers counseling on a sliding scale of $10-$50 per session, serving children, teens, couples, families, and individuals. There are almost 70 clinicians on staff at this clinic, giving you a huge range of therapists you can work with. This clinic only offers counseling, not medication or case management services.
How it works:
You are paired with a therapist based on your mutual fit of schedule; if you don’t think it’s a good interpersonal fit after a session or two, you can request to work with another therapist on staff. Appointments are available 7 days a week, evening sessions available Monday through Friday. There are no session limits, meaning you can attend therapy at this clinic as long as you wish.
Things to keep in mind:
Services at this clinic are in high demand, and there’s often a wait list. Also, because many of the therapists on staff are student counselors, there is turnover among staff. (Most counseling students see clients for 2-3 semesters, meaning that they wrap up their work after 8-12 months.) So, you may find a therapist you like, only to realize 6 months into treatment that they’ve finished their schooling and you need to transfer to another therapist. Keep this in mind if you’re seeking longer-term treatment.
To schedule an appointment, call 512-302-1000, extension 100.
2.) Austin Travis County Integral Care
What to expect:
ATCIC is a community mental clinic providing services to residents of Travis county. Counseling, medication, substance abuse treatment, and case management services are available free of charge to qualifying individuals. These services are designed for people who do not have private insurance, or who have very limited financial resources. Counseling services are usually offered in combination with multiple other kinds of services– so if you’re just looking for counseling, this may not be the agency for you.
How it works:
You will need to call 512-472-4357 to request an intake appointment; one will be scheduled within 14 days for you. Plan to spend 2-4 hours in your intake appointment and bring proof of income with you. Adults need a diagnosis of major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia to qualify for services. Children can qualify for services with a wider range of diagnoses.
Things to keep in mind:
You must be a resident of Travis county in order to receive services. If you live in Williamson county, similar services are available through Bluebonnet Trails MHMR. If you live in Hays county, contact Hill Country MHDD.
To schedule an appointment, call 512-472-4357.
3.) YWCA of Austin
What to expect:
YWCA is a national agency that has a local branch here in Austin. The Austin YWCA offers counseling and referral services to individual women, couples & families. Counseling services are not available for individual men. Some services are available for free to qualifying individuals, and the income-based sliding scale starts at $5 per session.
How it works:
A woman must self-refer to begin services, whether she is seeking individual counseling, or seeking counseling as a part of a couple or family. To obtain an intake appointment, call 512-326-1222. Intakes are conducted over the phone and take 15-30 minutes to complete.
Things to keep in mind:
Counseling services are limited to 10 sessions, so if you are looking to do longer-term work, you may want to consider another agency that does not have session limits on services offered.
To schedule an appointment, call 512-326-1222.
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One of the ways Counseling South Austin is different than these larger agencies that we are a small operation.
We have a small list of hand-picked therapists on staff.
We are a cozy private practice, not a large agency.
We don’t have a receptionist.
We don’t keep a wait list.
Some of the benefits that come with a smaller practice: personalized attention & freedom in your treatment. Less staff turnover.
You can choose your therapist.
There are no session limits.
You negotiate your fee during your free consultation.
Our office is quiet, private, and very comfortable.
Convenient after hours & weekend appointments.
If this sounds like the fit you’re looking for, get to know our counseling interns.
When you’re ready, just drop them a line and let them know when you’re able to come in for your free consultation. They’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Next week, we will check in with a couple more low-cost counseling agencies in Austin. Stay tuned!