Finding an affordable therapist in Detroit can be tough. Most private practice therapists charge between $120 - $150+ per session and finding in-network therapists can be overwhelming: health insurance websites are often outdated or inaccurate, and those therapists who are in-network often have full practices because their services are so sought after.
If you do not have the financial means to afford the typical Detroit therapy fees, there are a number of ways to afford therapy on a budget, including sliding scales and using out-of-network benefits.
If sliding scales are still above what you can afford, below are institutes that offer need and income-based low cost therapy services, most provided by non-profits and therapist training institutions.
- Low cost therapy for students in Detroit
- Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in Detroit
- Low cost therapy in different languages in Detroit
- Low cost therapy for veterans in Detroit
- Low cost therapy for the homeless in Detroit
- Low cost therapy for older adults in Detroit
- Free helplines in Detroit
- Other low cost services in Detroit
Low cost therapy for college students in Detroit
Wayne State University Psychology Clinic
The Wayne State University Psychology Clinic serves as a training facility for the Department of Psychology Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology, and services students and staff of Wayne State University as well as residents of the greater-Detroit Metropolitan Area. Individual, couples, family, and group therapy are provided. Issues addressed in therapy can include problems with mood (depression, mania, anger, emotional instability,) anxiety, relationships, substance use, eating, grief and loss, transitions, self-esteem, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, family, group therapy
Fees
Services are provided on a sliding scale. No insurance is accepted
Location
5229 Cass Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Contact information
313.577.2840
Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in Detroit
Affirmations
Affirmations LGBTQ+ community center has been the hub for southeast Michigan LGBTQ+ communities and allies for the last 30 years. The center provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, and cultures can learn, grow, socialize and access the vital support they need. Mental health services specializing in providing affordable counseling for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Focus areas
Counseling, LGBTQ+
Fees
Sliding fee scale is offered, and some insurances are accepted.
Locations
290 W 9 Mile Rd
Ferndale, MI 48220
Contact information
248.398.7105
Low cost therapy in different languages in Detroit
Southwest Solutions
Southwest Solutions is a mental health agency. Psychiatric counseling and medication are provided to help the mentally ill who live in the community. Services are provided to adults, children, youth, and families. The experienced and highly-trained staff can help resolve behavioral health issues facing people of all ages and all walks of life. The approach is comprehensive, integrated and proactive. Services include clinical and outpatient services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, case management services for those who require ongoing support, outpatient services for those whose symptoms are in remission, supported employment services for those seeking full-time or part-time work, permanent supportive housing for adults who currently reside in Adult Foster Care homes and who are seeking to live independently, and bilingual and bicultural services for Hispanic persons who are experiencing adjustment problems, anxiety issues or moderate depression.
Focus areas
Adults, children, families, case management, housing services, bilingual and bicultural services
Fees
Services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on factors like income.
Location
1700 Waterman St
Detroit, MI 48209
Contact information
313.841.7474
Low cost therapy for veterans in Detroit
Make the Connection
Make the Connection is an online resource for veterans, their family members, and friends, who are seeking local support and treatment options for mental health. They provide information about signs and symptoms of topics such as alcohol or drug problems, eating disorders, chronic pain, feeling on edge, trouble sleeping, and many more. They also provide information about different medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and schizophrenia. Make the Connection posts videos from other veterans about their experiences and life challenges since leaving the military.
Focus areas
Military veterans mental health information and resource locator
Fees
Make the Connection is a free resource
Location
N/A
Contact information
Veterans Crisis Line: 1.800.273.8255 (Press 1)
Southwest Solutions
Southwest Solutions is a mental health agency. Psychiatric counseling and medication are provided to help the mentally ill who live in the community. Services are provided to adults, children, youth, and families. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program aims to improve very low income veteran families’ housing stability. In addition to rental assistance, SSVF case managers will assist veterans and their families to obtain VA and other public benefits, childcare, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and opportunities for skill building, job training and education. Case managers work closely with veteran-serving agencies and community partners to facilitate veterans accessing these services.
Focus areas
Adults, children, youth, veterans, families, case management
Fees
Services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on factors like income.
Location
1700 Waterman St
Detroit, MI 48209
Contact information
313.841.7474
Low cost therapy for the homeless in Detroit
Development Centers
Development Centers provides a variety of behavioral health services to improve the quality of life for those experiencing a mental health concern. Services provided include individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, health coordination, evaluation and testing, and specialty programs for youth. Housing programs strive to promote long-term community stability in the lives of those who are homeless and who suffer with a severe and persistent mental illness.
Focus areas
Individual, group therapy, homeless, housing services, severe mental illness
Fees
The center accepts Medicaid and most major insurances, including: Aetna, Total Health Care, Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, McLaren, Meridian. A sliding scale is also offered.
Location
17321 Telegraph Rd,
Detroit, MI 48219
Contact information
313.531.2500
Low cost therapy for older adults in Detroit
All Well-Being Services
All Well-Being Services (AWBS) provides an extensive range of evidence-based services for children, adults, seniors and families. AWBS promotes health, well-being and independence through advocacy, services and community engagement. Services offered are in areas including mental health, intellectual development disabilities, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, integrated health care, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Focus areas
Adults, children, seniors, families
Fees
Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. A sliding fee scale is also offered.
Location
1423 Field St
Detroit, MI 48214
Contact information
734.629.5000
Free helplines in Detroit
U-M Psychiatric Emergency Services Crisis Phone
University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) provides emergency/urgent walk-in evaluation and crisis phone services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people of all ages.
Focus areas
24/7 free crisis line
Contact information
734.936.5900
Michigan PEER Warmline
If someone is living with serious mental illness or substance use challenges and feel it will help lower their stress to talk with someone who understands these issues, they can call the Michigan PEER Warmline, available every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Focus areas
Free peer warmline
Contact information
888.733.7753
Other low cost therapy services in Detroit
Starfish Family Services
Starfish Family Services helps vulnerable children and families in metropolitan Detroit. Behavioral health services are offered by mental health professionals who specialize in assessing and treating a variety of emotional, behavioral and developmental difficulties. Counselors work with children, teens, adults and entire families. Issues covered can include divorce/separation, relationship or marital issues, parenting issues, anger management, grief and loss, trauma, abuse, difficult transitions, postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, chronic pain, and more.
Focus areas
Adults, children, teens, families
Fees
Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. A sliding scale is also offered.
Location
35300 Nankin Boulevard
Westland, MI 48185
Contact information
734.261.1842
Central City Integrated Health
Central City Integrated Health works collaboratively to address both physical and behavioral health needs. CCIH believes in the basic principles of recovery and providing an open door. Primary and mental health services are offered to individuals with evidence-based resources to regain a meaningful life that goes beyond reduction and remission of symptoms. Recovery for those with mental health is defined as a process, vision, and guiding principle, but in order to recover, individuals need hope and resources.
Focus areas
Primary and mental health services
Fees
Central City Integrated Health takes many insurance plans, including Medicaid. A sliding fee scale based on income is used.
Location
10 Peterboro Street
Detroit, MI 48201
Contact information
313.831.3160
American Indian Health and Family Services of Southeast Michigan
American Indian Health & Family Services is a health center whose mission is to empower and enhance the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing of American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, families and other underserved populations through culturally grounded health and family services. The Behavioral Health Department employs highly trained and experienced therapists as well as graduate students in training who are committed to assisting community members in finding solutions to a variety of problems. Services offered include individual, group, family, couples counseling, suicide screenings, grief counseling, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, group, family, couples counseling, American Indian population
Fees
The center charges co-pay fees according to insurance. For uninsured patients, a sliding fee scale is used.
Location
4880 Lawndale St
Detroit, MI 48210
Contact information
313.846.3718