How much does counseling cost?

[Ellien C]

I know there is a wide range. I saw a counselor alone for marital issues and post-partum problems. She was OK, I guess. She doesn't take any insurance and wants $100/hour. Is that reasonable? I'm in a low COL mid-western city. She has an MSW and is a licensed counselor. It seems like a TON of money. If I saw her every week, that's most of the cost of a small apartment for me - which I'm seriously considering.

Should I look for someone who might take my insurance? I have an EAP program I could try that gives me 7-10 sessions. I'm very leery because I think there are a LOT more bad counselors than good ones.

[sparklefairy]

Personally, I would start with the EAP option.
I saw a great counselor through my University counseling center. She was an MSW candidate and was wonderful for me at the time. Covered through my student fees.

[doubledutch]

that is exactly what it costs in my moderately lcol midwest city, but my insurance covers it except an office visit copay. i would either use eap or find someone who takes your insurance. yes there are a lot of crappy counselors out there, but you should look for a new one anyway based on the fact that the one you've seen in the past was just okay.

actually, here's what i'd do. i'd cross-reference the list of EAP counselors with the list of counselors who take my insurance. then use the EAP appointments to work through your list (of people who meet both criteria) until you find one you like. that way, when you've used up the EAP appointments, but you have someone you like, you can keep going and it would then be covered by insurance.

eta: i'm kind of glad to hear you're considering separating, but why should you be the one who has to move out? have you talked with a lawyer?

[Ellien C]

good advice from DD. One point - this counselor is NOT the one we saw in the past. I've only seen this counselor once.

Have not talked to a lawyer at all. Not sure how I feel about things. DH has a hoarding problem as far as I'm concerned and I DON'T want the house. Don't want the yard, never wanted to shovel snow, etc. Actually, I think if we lived in a duplex and stayed married - we would be OK. DH is really difficult to live with. But I think I still love him.

[Purple*Lotus]

The cheapest I have used in my area is $80 an hour. The most expensive was $225 an hour. THe $100 an hour would be pretty common in my area.

ETA: The $80 an hour guy I saw was probably the best I have ever meet with. So a lower price doesn't always mean bad.

[Freedom~Mama]

My counselor (who is super awesome!) usually charges $100 per hour but has worked with me since she doesn't accept my insurance (Medicaid) and only charges me $50 an hour. You might be able to find a counselor who will work with you and give you a special rate.

[zebra15]

My therapist, who has a PhD (as if that means anything LOL) charges me $50/for a full 60 min session. When I started seeing him I had insurance and he would direct bill the insurance and I would just pay the co-pay. Then I lost the job and the insurance so he takes $50 and yes the session is a full 60 minutes and if there are issues and run over its not a problem.

I used my EAP sessions to find him. I made many many phone calls when I was in crisis to find someone I felt comfortable with on the phone to even make an appt to go see. My state has a mental health board website where you can pull up the therapist's info and see if they have any complaints filed, how many years they have been in practice and such.

I went to 2 other therapists before I found this one. The 1st one didnt last 10 minutes, he told me flat out he was not able to deal with my issues. The 2nd one was just freaky and gave me the creeps. (Yes those 2 passed my phone interview, I m afraid to think what the ones who didnt were like)

[Ellien C]

Z - What sorts of things did you ask in the phone interview? I'd like to appraoch it that way.

[paintedfire]

DF and I live in NY, so prices for everything here are high. DF has very good insurance through his job but didn't want it showing up on his record there in the beginning (long story - it's better now), so he just paid out of pocket. He went once a week and paid $700 a month at first, then $800.

I have very good insurance not through my job, so I just pay my $20 co-pay every visit. I go twice a week, so that works out to be $160. I've been in therapy twice a week since I was ten - I turn thirty in a few months. It's a continuing process.

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

Z - What sorts of things did you ask in the phone interview? I'd like to appraoch it that way.

I asked things like:

1. How long are your sessions (40-45 mins sessions just are not long enough when dealing with trauma)
2. What is your rate, how do you handle insurance, how do you collect co-pays (weekly, end of month billing, cash, credit card, check)
3. What type of therapy do you do, - I dont like EMDR, I dont like group, -Ive been to therapy before and I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for
4. If my crisis is too much for you to handle will you bail on me or can you refer to someone else?
5. what is your policy on x y z
6. What is your waiting room like (I was in a practice once that had kids running around and it drove me nuts)
7. what are your office hours, how difficult is it to schedule appts with you, are you part of a large practice, or are you a single office

IMO any 'good' counselor will give you 10-15 mins on the phone to answer your questions before scheduling an appt.