Written by Reece Thomas, LCPC & Allyson Inez Ford, LPCC | Therapists at Eating Disorder & OCD Therapy San Diego
Why Is Therapy so expensive?
There’s no denying that it’s unfair that the most marginalized people often cannot access therapy due to financial barriers- whether that be due to being uninsured, or needing to find a specialist only to discover most are private pay.
There are so many reasons why accepting insurance is not sustainable for many therapy practices, too, which puts both therapists and clients in an uncomfortable bind. It is not a decision we take lightly, and for transparency, you can read more about our decision making around this in our blog post Why Most Specialized Therapists Do Not Take Insurance.
While our practice is fully private pay, we always work to stay up to date with various therapy funds, mutual aid organizations, scholarships and vouchers that help increase access to specialized therapy- which currently remains largely inaccessible.
Reece, a therapist on our team at Eating Disorder & OCD Therapy San Diego has compiled a list of some of the most up to date therapy funds available to clients in need. We encourage you to check these options out if finances are a barrier, and we are here to help advocate for you with any of these organizations if clinician authorization is a requirement!
U.S. Based Therapy Funds & Scholarships
Open to Black women and non-binary humans
Covers the cost of 4-12 therapy sessions
Open to BIPOC adults
Up to 12 sessions
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)
Up to 8 sessions, covers up to $125
Open to QTPOC Adults
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) Treatment & Recovery Scholarship Program
Support for three to six months of therapy
Covers 60-100 per session
Asian Mental Health Collective Therapy Fund
Up to 16 sessions, read eligibility requirements here
Covers $150 per session
Open to anyone who has OCD
Project HEAL Cash Assistance Program:
Open to anyone living in the US with an eating disorder
Prioritizes costs including deductibles, co-pays, and travel to care
Free, culturally responsive therapy for BIPOC folks.
Application cycles open seasonally- get on their waitlist to be notified of the next cycle.
State Specific Treatment Scholarships:
Washington State Therapy Funds:
• Open to Black residents of Washington
Tennessee Therapy Funds:
Up to 12 sessions, covers up to $120
Open to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+
Up to 8 sessions, must be uninsured
Open to Black residents of TN
California Therapy Funds:
Eating Disorder Recovery Support Treatment Scholarship:
Open to BIPOC and QTGNC folks in California with eating disorders
Up to $2,000
Thrive Maternal Mental Health Fund
Funds for maternal mental health care and midwife services in San Diego, CA
Do you know of another therapy fund that wasn’t listed? Feel free to comment with their information below as we build this community resource!
Looking for an eating disorder or OCD therapist?
We hope you find this useful and we look forward to working with you!
We provide virtual eating disorder therapy, OCD therapy, body image therapy, trauma therapy, and neurodiversity affirming therapy to clients in CA, FL, MD, TN, UT & WA State.
Additionally, we offer in-person eating disorder therapy in San Diego, CA.
Reach out to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation call to confirm that we are a good fit for you!
