Low Cost-Therapy vs Sliding Scale Therapy: What’s the Difference?

The difference between low-cost therapy and sliding scale therapy in Ontario, and how you can find affordable counselling options online.

Written by Simon Spichak

Cost is one of the biggest barriers for starting therapy. Some therapists might charge upward of $200 per session in Ontario, and if you don’t have insurance, the cost adds up quickly. Fortunately, there are many options for people looking for affordable counselling.

Many clinics offer low-cost therapy or sliding scale therapy options to make sessions more accessible. Sometimes the clinics use supervised student interns or provide a limited number of sessions at a lower cost to make therapy more affordable to those who need it most.

Resolve strives to make low-cost therapy for people with ADHD and OCD, complex mental health conditions that are often harder to find evidence-based care for, a reality in Ontario.

What Is Low-Cost Therapy?

Low-cost therapy refers to options that cost less than a standard session, though what counts as ‘low-cost’ isn’t always clearly defined across clinics.

Clinics that offer low-cost therapy or reduced cost counselling, set their prices around $150 or less per 50 minute session with a psychotherapist or social worker. Some clinics also provide sessions with supervised student interns, which could bring the cost down below $70 per session.

The pricing varies between therapy clinics. One low-cost clinic might charge $150 per session and another might charge $130. Yet they may both advertise their offering as low-cost.

Often, community mental health centers and clinics, clinics who work with marginalized or low-income populations, and centers that train new therapists offer low-cost options. The price for low-cost therapy, however, is fixed regardless of income.

The value of the therapy is still the same even at a lower cost. The therapists are still licensed as registered psychotherapists or social workers and they offer the same treatment modalities for many mental health conditions. But because of the high demand for low-cost therapy, some clinics will have a long wait list or less availability.

At Resolvve, therapy with our student interns starts at $30 per 50-minute session, with more experienced therapists charging between $100 and $130 per 50-minute session. Curious about the cost of therapy? Use our therapy cost calculator to see how much it may cost.

What is Sliding Scale Therapy

Sliding scale therapy involves adjusting the cost based on your individual income and financial needs.

Some clinics have formal processes to assess and verify income and tax brackets, others offer sliding scale therapy based on limited availability. For example, a therapist might reduce the cost of a session from $200 to $50 if a client is on disability, low income, or in a precarious work situation.

When asking about sliding scale therapy, some clinics may ask for proof of income such as a recent pay stub or tax return. If the process feels intimidating, know that therapists have these conversations regularly and will do what they can to make it feel more comfortable.

Private practice therapists and group practices with multiple therapists may offer a limited amount of sliding scale therapy spots. If a clinic doesn’t advertise sliding scale therapy, it’s still worth asking as many therapists are open to it depending on availability.

Key Differences: Low-Cost Therapy vs Sliding Scale Therapy

Benefits of Low-Cost or Sliding Scale Counselling

Low-cost and sliding scale therapy may make the difference between getting help and continuing to struggle alone. Beyond the financial relief, there are meaningful therapeutic benefits to removing cost as a barrier.

Benefits include:

• More therapy sessions for a lower cost
• Affordable high-quality, evidence-based care
• Reduced financial stress around seeking help
• Increased comfort with therapy, especially if it’s your first time  
• Setting yourself up for long-term success, growth, and stability

How to Find Low-Cost or Reduced-Fee Therapy in Canada

Many directories including Psychology Today allow you to search for therapists nearby. The Affordable Therapy Network provides a listing that only includes therapists that offer low-cost, reduced-fee, or sliding scale services. 

Resolvve’s therapists provide ADHD, OCD, and anxiety support at a lower cost than most other clinics and therapists.

Key Takeaway

Therapy should be affordable and accessible to everyone. If cost is holding you back, explore local low-cost therapy options and look for affordable therapy online. Don’t hesitate to ask therapists if they offer a sliding scale. 

If you’ve been putting off therapy because of cost, reach out to see how Resolvvve can help you find affordable support. Get in touch with us and we’ll help connect you with the right therapist.