How to Pay Your Lee's Summit Therapist: Prioritizing Mental Health Within Any Budget
Seating in a therapist office
Beginning therapy is an investment in your personal growth, healing, and well-being. For many, paying for therapy can be a significant financial commitment. Rather than asking “how can I afford a therapist?”, let’s explore how to prioritize your mental health within any budget, including creative ways to pay for therapy.
In my article about finding the right therapist for you, I recommend setting your monthly therapy budget before beginning your search. There are various payment options available to accommodate different financial situations. I will address common questions about paying for therapy, aiming to help you feel more confident in budgeting and prioritizing your healing journey with a Lee’s Summit therapist.
Having personally paid for therapy through different methods, like saving up before beginning with a new therapist, I truly understand that it's a meaningful investment. I also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access quality mental health care, support, and healing.
Paying Out of Pocket for Your Lee's Summit Therapist
One of the main ways to pay for therapy is through self-pay, which means paying privately without using insurance or other organizations. Many clients and therapists prefer self-pay because it provides a personalized, confidential experience.
Opting to pay out-of-pocket allows you to use a debit or credit card or a health savings account to pay your therapist. This approach benefits privacy and autonomy. When paying self-pay, you have the flexibility to decide the session duration and schedule, without the constraints set by insurance policies.
Insurance companies require a formal mental health diagnosis to be in your medical record. Conversely, self-pay options let you get support for relationship issues and life stress without having to include a mental health diagnosis in your permanent medical record.
Lastly, self-pay guarantees that your therapist's notes and records stay confidential, accessible only to you and your therapist. When using insurance, they can request access to your therapy notes to track outcomes and progress, viewing themselves as the “payer” of the services.
(Note: I accept HSA/FSA card payments for self-pay and co-pays. Additionally, I offer extended sessions for self-pay clients who prefer longer, uninterrupted sessions. Based on your budget, you might opt for one extended session per month once you are established.)
Using Insurance to Help Cover Therapy and Counseling Costs
Using your insurance benefits to help pay for therapy for yourself or a loved one insured under your plan is perfectly acceptable. If you're comfortable with insurance accessing your records, setting session limits, and providing a mental health diagnosis, then utilizing insurance for counseling could be a great choice for you.
You have two options for using your insurance benefits. You can visit an "in-network” therapist, who will be paid directly by your insurance, or choose an "out-of-network” therapist, where you'll pay the therapist directly. You can also ask the therapist for a “superbill" to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
Please note that insurance coverage differs, so you might have a deductible to fulfill before insurance covers therapy costs. Alternatively, you could have a co-pay, meaning both you and the insurance share the expense of therapy services. To find out how much your insurance will cover, contact the mental health, behavioral health, or customer service number listed on your insurance card.
(Note: As of November 2025, I offer bothself-pay and insurance options in mycounseling practice in Lee’s Summit.If I am out of network with your insurance, I can provide a superbill. Fees and insurance contracts are reviewed annually.)
Accessing Low-Cost Therapy Options
Although not every therapist may offer options to make therapy accessible for you, there are several affordable choices to help cover the cost. To reduce barriers to receiving supportive and therapeutic care, I want to make sure you know about all the available options.
Below are six budget-friendly options to help make therapy more accessible for you:
Work with a Counselor-in-Training: Many skilled therapists are in the process of obtaining licensure to practice independently. During this stage, they frequently provide therapy at lower rates and are supervised by a licensed mental health professional. In Lee’s Summit, some group practices that offer this option include Seeds of Change and Refresh Wellness & Counseling.
Use an Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Many companies provide a certain number of free therapy sessions for employees. Please check with your HR department to determine if this benefit is available. If you have an EAP, ensure that you see a therapist who is in-network with your plan.
Inquire about Sliding Scales: Some therapists reserve certain sliding scale spots for clients who need this option, so always ask if it’s a good fit for you. Organizations like Open Path Collective also provide access to approved therapists working on a sliding scale in exchange for a yearly membership fee.
Contact Community Mental Health Centers: If you have government-assisted insurance, such as Medicaid, you may qualify for free or discounted counseling services at a local community mental health center. Find your nearest center here.
Partner with a non-profit organization: Local groups like domestic violence shelters and sexual abuse recovery centers often provide counseling and advocacy services at little or no cost. There are also national groups that help particular communities access counseling more easily. You can find out more about local organizations such as MOCSA or Hope House. For national organizations, learn about the Loveland Foundation’s Therapy Fund for Black women and nonbinary individuals here.
Join a Group: You can often join a support group for free, such as DivorceCare or GriefShare. Or therapy groups are offered at a lower rate than individual therapy costs. So joining a group is a great way to get support!
Prioritzing Mental Health Care is Worth It
I truly hope you've gained some new insights from this article. Maybe you've discovered a way to make seeking support for your specific needs easier, because your mental health, healing, and growth are worth it.
When you're searching for a new therapist, don’t hesitate to ask questions to see if they feel like a good match for you. If you're looking for a therapist in Lee’s Summit, MO, know that support is nearby. Whether you're moving on from an emotionally abusive relationship, dealing with anxiety from trying to please others, or aiming to lessen the impact of your past on your current life, therapy can truly help.
FAQs about Money and Mental Health Support
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In Kansas City, therapy prices vary from $80 to over $200, depending on the therapist. As of November 2025, my individual therapy sessions cost between $135 and $150 per session, based on the session duration.
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Insurance coverage differs; you might need to meet a deductible before your insurance begins to cover therapy sessions. Alternatively, you could have a co-pay, meaning both you and the insurance company share the cost of services. To find out how much your insurance will contribute, contact the mental health, behavioral health, or customer service number listed on your insurance card.
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The primary reason therapists often avoid accepting insurance is the low reimbursement rates offered by insurance companies. Additional reasons include therapists' desire for more autonomy over session length and the ability to provide increased privacy, as they won't need to share information with a third-party payer.
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Your options largely depend on your specific circumstances. If you can cover therapy costs privately, you'll have greater flexibility in selecting your therapist. For those concerned about privacy and avoiding a mental health diagnosis on their medical records, paying out of pocket or using an HSA card offers the most privacy.
Author: Marci Payne, MA, LPC, LCPC
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and Kansas, with a private practice located in Lee’s Summit, MO. Her expertise includes individual therapy for people-pleasers, empaths, and adults recovering from emotionally abusive relationships. Marci provides both online and in-person sessions and is recognized as a non-traditional, holistic, and inclusive therapist. (Find out more about her work here.)