Takeaway: Are you considering investing in mental health care for yourself, a loved one, or your whole family? Here, we break down the average cost of therapy in New Jersey so you can have the information you need to make a decision. Plus, we give our professional insight as to why the investment is worth it. 
How much does therapy cost in New Jersey, on average?
Choosing whether to start therapy can be a difficult decision. It’s often made more challenging by the lack of information about the cost of mental health services.
It’s difficult to say exactly how much you’ll pay for therapy since most therapists charge different amounts based on a number of factors, some of which we’ll explore later in this post. At the same time, understanding the financial responsibility that comes along with therapy is essential.
While there’s no standard therapy cost, it can be helpful to see some rough estimates as a starting point. Here, we’ve compiled data from 25 clinicians in each city to provide insight into the average cost of mental health therapy in New Jersey.
| City | Average Cost of a Therapy Session |
|---|---|
| Newark | $149 |
| Jersey City | $157 |
| Paterson | $139 |
| Lakewood | $182 |
| Elizabeth | $141 |
As you can see, the cost of therapy can vary widely. Remember that these are just estimates as well, so your therapist may end up charging more or less than these figures.
Why is it so expensive to see a therapist?
Therapy cost can be surprising to some people, due in large part to the lack of clear information about the price.
However, there’s much more that goes into a therapist’s rate than meets the eye. It might seem like a random number, but it’s not. There is a significant amount of time, intention, and resources invested in providing mental health treatment, and each therapist’s rate is designed to reflect that.
Here are some of the factors that influence the cost of therapy in New Jersey (and beyond).
Therapists are highly trained specialists.
Mental health clinicians have a graduate degree in a mental health-related field such as marriage and family therapy or social work. They are also required to complete thousands of hours of supervised practice to be eligible for licensure, as well as pass an exam and engage in continuing education.
Beyond these basic requirements, many therapists choose to pursue further training in specialized areas. This increases their professional skillset even more, which can lead to therapists charging more for their services.
Therapists invest a significant amount of time and energy outside of sessions.
While you might only see your therapist for an hour per week, they invest time outside of session in order to best support you. They document your progress in case notes, engage in case consultation or supervision to get professional feedback, and may even coordinate with other members of your care team.
Therapists must factor this time into their session fee. Otherwise, they would go unpaid for the time that they’re not face-to-face with a client but still working.
The cost of therapy can depend on the cost of living.
The cost of living in a certain area can dictate the cost of housing, goods, and services: including therapy.
Typically, this means that therapy will cost more in an urban area than in rural locations. At the same time, the widespread availability of online therapy makes it difficult to say whether this is always the case.
Paying for therapy
Now that you have a clearer sense of some factors that influence the cost of mental health services, it’s time to consider how you’d like to pay for therapy.
Free therapy resources
For some people, finances can be a significant barrier when seeking treatment. Thankfully, you have options if this is the case for you.
Some private practice therapists offer sliding scale therapy rates for those who qualify. State or community mental health agencies may also be able to offer low- or no-cost therapy services for certain individuals and families.
You could also consider seeking out programs or community mental health clinics, such as the Monmouth University Community Care Telehealth Clinic (MUCCTC), that offer free talk therapy.
Insurance benefits
Some people are able to use their mental health coverage to pay for therapy. While all insurance plans are required to cover mental health services, out-of-pocket costs can vary widely depending on your specific plan.
Plus, using your in-network benefits can limit your choices. Your insurance company can influence the frequency and length of your treatment depending on your specific mental health diagnosis. You’ll also be limited to working with therapists who are in-network with your plan.
Out-of-network benefits
Using out-of-network benefits gives you more freedom to work with whichever provider you want, regardless of whether they are in-network with your plan.
If you choose this option, your therapist will provide you with a billing statement that you can submit to your health insurance company for reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to get a clearer understanding of what your out-of-network mental health benefits are.
Private pay
Paying out of pocket (also called private pay) gives you the most control over your mental health care. At the same time, this option is also the most expensive, so it’s not feasible for everyone.
Is therapy worth it?
If you’re new to therapy or feel intimidated by the cost, it’s natural to wonder if the price tag is really worth it.
While we can’t speak for each person’s experience, we can reassure you that therapy is beneficial for the vast majority of people who seek it. We’ve seen this firsthand during our years as therapists ourselves.
Here are just a few ways that we’ve seen our clients transform during their time in therapy.
- Treat various mental health concerns. Research shows that therapy can help people with a number of different mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and more.
- Improve psychological and physical symptoms. Therapy isn’t just for people with a diagnosed mental health disorder. That same research also shows that therapy can improve physical health conditions, like IBS and fibromyalgia.
- Improve your relationships. Our relationships with people are such an important part of our lives. Working with a mental health professional can help you learn how to build happier, healthier connections with those you love.
- Learn new coping strategies. You’ll work with your therapist to find new ways to cope with life’s stressors in a more constructive way. You might not be able to prevent challenges from coming up, but you can control how you respond to them.
- Find new ways to express yourself. We all have emotions, but it can be difficult to express them. Your therapy sessions are a safe space for you to process these feelings and learn how to communicate with the people in your life about what you’re going through.
Keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are many reasons to seek therapy, and you’ll likely find your own benefits from working with a counselor.
Find out whether therapy is right for you and your family.
At Love Play Grow, our clinicians have years of experience helping families navigate life’s challenges. We’re trained in therapeutic techniques that are specifically designed to help children and teens, including play therapy and sand tray therapy. We’re also trained in cutting-edge approaches that can help families process trauma, such as EMDR.
If you’re looking to cultivate more love and connection in your family life, we’re here to help. We offer both online and in-person therapy at our office in New Jersey, and we invite you to schedule a free consultation to see if we’re the right fit for your family’s needs.
