How Much is Therapy for a Child?

Your 10-year-old used to be easygoing. But, now they have started having tantrums over small things —like someone looking at them the wrong way. At first, you brushed it off as a phase. But lately, the meltdowns last longer and are more intense. As a result, the stress is building up at home. You're starting to wonder: Does my child need professional help?

You may be wondering if therapy is worth the investment for your child. The short answer is a resounding “yes!” Therapy can be a game changer for helping in situations like these and maintaining overall emotional health. Yet, you may be concerned with the cost. Let’s take a look at how much therapy costs and if it’s worth it. 

Key takeaways

• Many parents worry about the cost of therapy. However, therapy is worth the investment. 
• The cost of therapy can vary based on the therapist's credentials, your location, and your insurance coverage. 
• Insurance can help cover therapy. Online therapy tends to be less expensive than in therapy. 

What is child therapy?

Therapy is an evidence-based intervention to help resolve behavioral or emotional issues. 

In adults, therapy tends to be talk-based. For children, therapy looks a little different from what it does for adults. That’s because kids may lack the verbal skills to express themselves. So, instead of talk therapy, children may participate in play therapy or storytelling to express their emotions and learn coping skills.  

Therapy can help children cope with everyday struggles — like friendship problems and school stress. It can also help during crises, such as when a child experiences the loss of a close family member. Family members may also participate in therapy, as well. Therapy can make a big difference in your child’s life, as well as that of the entire family. 

Things that affect the cost of child therapy 

There isn't a specific cost for therapy. The price can vary depending on various factors. Let's take a closer look. 

Where you live

You probably didn’t know it, but your location can affect the cost of therapy. Just like with groceries and other items, therapy is more expensive and higher cost of higher-cost-of-living cities like New York City and San Francisco. According to Simple Practice data from 2023-2024, Alaska ($212) and Hawaii ($167) have among the highest rates for therapy. These two states also have a very high cost of living. 

Therapy is more expensive in these states because the cost of office rent is higher. The general cost of running a business also tends to be higher in these cities, as well. 

Type of therapy

There may be a difference in price depending on the type of therapy. For example, play therapists may charge more because they have likely invested in additional training to provide that kind of therapy. Also, specialized therapy, like applied behavioral analysis (ABA), which is used for children with autism, is much more expensive. 

Therapist’s credentials

Many parents don’t realize it, but a therapist's specializations and credentials can make therapy more expensive. Licensed therapists, such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), tend to be more expensive than non-licensed therapists. Non-licensed therapists don’t yet have the supervised clinical hours that a licensed therapist has. They have also not yet passed licensure exams. When you choose a licensed therapist, you are paying for a higher level of expertise and training.  

Length of sessions

When most people picture therapy, they think of a typical 60-minute session. But the length of therapy sessions can vary greatly. A 30-minute session, which is great for simple issues, will be less expensive than a 60-minute one. However, with a longer time, you can dive deeper into issues. Longer sessions (more than 60 minutes) do exist for severe issues or intensive therapy needs. These are more expensive but may be well worth the price tag. 

The frequency of sessions 

Therapy isn’t just one session. It’s typically sessions on a regular basis. That can be weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Some kids even go multiple times a week. The frequency of your child’s therapy sessions will depend on their treatment plan. 

If your child is in a stable place, they may only need sessions monthly. However, if they are struggling to a greater degree, they may need weekly sessions.  More frequent sessions are more costly, but your child’s therapist can also address issues with greater depth. In the end, it’s all about finding the right frequency that works for your child — and your budget, as well. 

Insurance coverage

Insurance can make the cost of therapy more affordable. However, it’s important to carefully check the coverage and your insurance company’s provider network. 

If your child’s therapist is in-network, your insurance plan may cover part or all of it, depending on your coverage. You may have a copay, however, these will be much less expensive than if your therapist is out of network. Also, your insurance company may only cover so many sessions a year. 

When your child’s therapist is out-of-network, it means that they don’t have an agreement with your insurance company. So, you will probably have to pay out of pocket for therapy. 

Some therapists offer a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance company. This is a receipt that outlines the session. However, you may only qualify for partial reimbursement, if any at all, in these cases. 

The best course of action is to contact your insurance company for specifics. The more you understand your insurance plan, the better off you will be when it comes to paying for therapy. 

Average cost of child therapy 

The cost of child therapy can vary depending on several different factors, as discussed above. Comprehensive data for the cost of therapy in the United States is limited. However, there is some data that provides insight. 

According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, the average cost of a course of therapy (between 7 and 11 sessions) for children was around $1,100. 

As discussed above, the therapist’s credentials can influence the cost. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2023 found that Master’s level licensed therapists charge between $167 and $195 per session, while PhD-level psychologists charge up to $250 per session on average. 

Beyond the office: Affordable alternatives to traditional therapy 

In today’s world, mental health support can come via virtual options. The price tag can be less, as well.  

Online child therapy platforms

Gone are the days when therapy takes place solely in a therapist’s office. Now, children can connect with licensed therapists from the comfort of their own homes thanks to platforms like Emora Health, which is specifically designed for kids, teens, and young adults. 

Online therapy platforms reduce long waiting lists and may even cost less than traditional therapy. A systematic review found that online therapy for mental health conditions is often more cost-effective compared to traditional therapy that is conducted in person. That's because the overhead costs tend to be much lower for therapists compared to a traditional private practice. 

How to pay for therapy for your child 

If your child needs therapy, you might feel helpless if money is standing in the way of better mental health. Fortunately, there are some options. Before you deem therapy out of reach financially, explore some of these options. Here are some ways to pay for therapy for your child. 

Insurance 

Convinced that therapy is out of reach for your child? It might not be — especially if you have insurance. Many insurance plans include mental health coverage. If your plan falls under the Affordable Care Act, it’s required to include this coverage. The ACA considers mental health care an essential health need (as it should be). Therefore, it is covered. However, the exact coverage varies depending on the plan you have. The best course of action is to contact your insurance company and ask if the therapist you have in mind is in-network and whether or not you need prior authorization for services. If you don’t mind the fine print, you can also look over the paperwork that outlines your coverage. 

Crowdfunding and community support 

If you don’t have insurance coverage, don’t lose hope. Some families use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to pay for therapy. You can also check with local churches and religious organizations to see if they have funds for mental health care. 

National organizations like UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation may occasionally offer scholarships for therapy or connect families with financial aid programs. These resources may not completely pay for therapy, but they can significantly help. 

Final Thoughts: Therapy is worth the investment

Therapy may not be free. However, its benefits outweigh the cost. Therapy can make all the difference for your child when it comes to dealing with stressful situations, coping with difficult life transitions, and improving their confidence. Your child’s mental well-being is worth the investment. 

The cost of therapy depends on many factors. You can lower the cost by choosing virtual therapy that is in-network with your insurance plan. 

Emora Health makes therapy affordable 

Who says that therapy has to be out of reach? At Emora Health, we are all about making therapy affordable for children and families. We accept many major insurance plans, and copays start at just $0 depending on your insurance plan. 

It’s never been easier to prioritize your child’s mental health. Don’t let the cost of therapy keep you from getting your child the help they need—reach out today.