Finding an affordable therapist in Durham can be a difficult process. Many private practice therapists charge between $150 - $200+ per session and finding in-network therapists can be arduous: health insurance websites are often not up-to-date, and those providers who are in-network are often at capacity because their services are so in-demand.
If you don't have the financial means to afford the typical Durham 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 options 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 Durham
- Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in Durham
- Low cost therapy in different languages in Durham
- Low cost therapy for veterans in Durham
- Low cost therapy for the homeless in Durham
- Low cost therapy for older adults in Durham
- Free helplines in Durham
- Other low cost services in Durham
Low cost therapy for college students in Durham
Duke Psychology Clinic
As part of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, the Clinic functions as a training center for the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology.
The Duke Psychology Clinic offers short- and long-term individual psychotherapy for adults seeking treatment for a range of psychological difficulties. The Clinic treats a wide-range of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, inattentiveness/hyperactivity, self-esteem, eating concerns, relationship difficulties, adjustment, and coping with stressors. In addition, the Clinic has a long-standing reputation in the community for effectively assisting individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Therapeutic work is individually-focused and clinicians work with their supervisors to tailor treatment to the needs of each client. The treatment approach utilized integrates principles from a range of evidence-based practices in order to best address the client's presenting concerns, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and interpersonal approaches.
Focus areas
Adults, depression, anxiety, adjustment, trauma
Fees
The first visit intake fee is $20. Fees per later sessions are set on a sliding scale basis.
Location
417 Chapel Dr
Durham, NC 27710
Contact information
919.660.5771
Pfeiffer's Marriage and Family Therapy Clinics
Pfeiffer Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy (PIMFT) and Pfeiffer Institute Reach are therapy clinics established to provide training opportunities for master's level graduate students in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program at Pfeiffer University. Therapist interns provide direct services for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Therapy services are provided for depression and anxiety, grief counseling, work and career issues, stress management, life transitions, and more.
Focus areas
Individuals, couples, families, groups
Fees
Students and faculty from local colleges and universities receive a discounted rate of $15 per session. The cost per therapy session for non-affiliated clients is $30 per 50-minute session. For those in financial need, a sliding scale fee is available after the initial session.
Location
600 Airport Boulevard, Suite 600
Morrisville, NC 27560
Contact information
919.941.2900
UNC Psychology Department Community Clinic
The UNC Psychology Department Community Clinic (the Clinic) is dedicated to providing high quality and affordable psychological services to the triangle community and the UNC campus through specialty clinics for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Adult therapy covers issues such as anxiety, grief, anger, academic or vocational functioning, interpersonal relationships, family, self-esteem, and sexual orientation.
Focus areas
Adults, adolescents, anxiety, academic functioning, self-esteem, relationships
Fees
Reduced fees are offered based on income. The fees will be discussed and established during the phone screening with our graduate assistant.
Location
500 Finley Golf Course Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Contact information
919.962.6906
Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in Durham
Radical Healing
Radical Healing is an intentional, radically inclusive, LGBTQ+ and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) centered, multicultural and multiracial campus for healing and wellness. It is made up of a diverse collective of queer, trans, cis, anti-racist healers, change makers, counselors, artists, social workers, physicians, musicians, energy workers, clinical and counseling psychologists, activists, and more. Many different licensed counselors in the group provide psychotherapy on sliding scales.
Focus areas
LGBTQ+, counseling
Fees
Therapists accept a variety insurances and also set fees on a sliding scale.
Location
2003-2011 Chapel Hill Road,
Durham, NC 27707
Contact information
info@radicalhealing.us
Triangle Pastoral Counseling
Triangle Pastoral Counseling is a diverse and highly-trained staff of pastoral counselors and psychotherapists are committed to enhancing mental health through counseling that integrates cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual issues. Clients are individuals, couples, families and children. Issues worked with include addictions, anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress, trauma, relationships, and sexuality. There are counselors who are trained to serve the LGBTQ+ community, with issues including coming out, dealing with orientation and/or identity, struggling with hostile cultures (familial and religious), and more.
Focus areas
LGBTQ+, counseling
Fees
Insurance is taken, and fees are adjustable based upon income for those without insurance.
Location
200 High Meadow Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
Contact information
919.845.9977
Low cost therapy in different languages in Durham
Fellowship Health Resources
Fellowship Health Resources is a nonprofit that provides behavioral health services to improve the quality of life for individuals living with mental illness and addictions. Services include assessment, individual, group, and family therapy, as well as psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring. Some of the evidence-based practices include Seeking Safety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Wellness Recovery and Management (WRM). Services are available in English and in Spanish.
Focus areas
Individual, group, family therapy, assessments, Spanish-speaking
Fees
Fellowship Health Resources in North Carolina accepts Medicaid, State Funded IPRS, BCBS, and also provides a sliding fee scale.
Location
5509 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
Contact information
919.573.6520
Low cost therapy for veterans in Durham
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 also 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)
Low cost therapy for the homeless in Durham
Elizabeth Street Project Transitional House
This is a residential treatment program and transitional housing shelter in Durham for men who are homeless, on probation, on parole, or recently released from incarceration. Services provided include meals and dorms, as well as a comprehensive, long-term, residential substance abuse recovery program.
Focus areas
Homeless, substance abuse recovery
Fees
Length of stay is 90 days. The cost is free to those that are authorized by NCDPS.
Location
412 N. Elizabeth Street
Durham, NC 27701
Contact information
919.237.2283
Genesis Home
Genesis Home works to end homelessness for families with children and for young adults by providing housing and supportive services to foster independence.
Focus areas
Homeless, families, children, young adults
Location
300 N. Queen Street
Durham, NC 27702
Contact information
919.683.5878 (ext. 22)
Low cost therapy for older adults in Durham
Lincoln Community Health Center
Lincoln Community Health Center provides accessible, affordable, high quality outpatient health care services to the medically underserved. The Behavioral Health Clinic at Lincoln is a specialty area that focuses on mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse. Individual psychosocial assessments are provided with recommendations for follow-up treatment which may include medications, one on one counseling, or referral into the community where patient needs may be met more appropriately. Services include psychiatric assessments and medication monitoring, psychosocial assessments and follow-up counseling, substance abuse assessments and treatments, case management, and crisis assessment and referrals. The staff are trained to provide services to older adults.
Focus areas
Older adults, therapy, assessments, medication
Fees
Payment is based on a sliding scale, depending on income and family size.
Location
1301 Fayetteville St.
Durham, NC 27702
Contact information
919.956.4000
Free helplines in Durham
NAMI North Carolina
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC's hotline is 1.800.451.9682 (or text at 919.999.9527) and can be reached for crisis resources and information.
Focus areas
Free helpline
Contact information
1.800.451.9682
Hope4NC Helpline
The Hope4NC Helpline (1.855.587.3463) connects North Carolinians to additional mental health and resilience supports that help them cope and build resilience during times of crisis.
Focus areas
Free helpline
Contact information
1.855.587.3463
Other low cost therapy services in Durham
Freedom House Recovery Center
Freedom House provides support and treatment for children and adults with behavioral disorders or mental illness. They also specialize in recovery treatment for those struggling with substance abuse. Services are provided to children as young as 3 years old, with issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, conduct disorders, bipolar and psychotic disorders. Adults with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders can access a full continuum of integrated treatment services delivered by our highly-qualified team of professionals.
Focus areas
Adults, children, substance abuse, behavioral disorders
Fees
Free counseling services are provided to qualified individuals. Through the Pro Bono Counseling Network, Freedom House provides free short-term counseling to underinsured or uninsured people in Orange, Durham, Chatham and Person counties and who are in need of services. Up to 8 free counseling sessions are offered.
Location
400-D Crutchfield Street
Durham, NC 27704
Contact information
919.251.8806