Finding an affordable therapist in New Jersey can be difficult. Most private practice therapists charge between $150 - $200+ per session and finding in-network therapists can be overwhelming: health insurance websites are often outdated and inaccurate, and those who are in-network are hardly ever accepting new patients because their services are so in-demand.
If you do not have the financial means to afford the typical New Jersey 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 New Jersey
- Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in New Jersey
- Low cost therapy in different languages in New Jersey
- Low cost therapy for veterans in New Jersey
- Low cost therapy for the homeless in New Jersey
- Low cost therapy for older adults in New Jersey
- Free helplines in New Jersey
- Other low cost services in New Jersey
Low cost therapy for college students in New Jersey
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology: Center For Psychological Services
Clinicians are graduate students in Rutgers University’s doctoral programs in clinical and school psychology, who are trained by faculty with expertise in a wide variety of therapeutic models and techniques. All clinicians are closely supervised by licensed psychologists. Services provided are confidential mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults from Rutgers University and the surrounding communities. Individual, group, family, and couples therapy are provided for issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma, identity concerns, low self-esteem, uncertainty about life goals, organization and study skills, and more.
Focus areas
Adults, adolescents, children; anxiety, depression, self-esteem and identity
Fees
Low-cost services are based on clients’ household income and ability to pay. Those with Rutgers Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare StudentResources sponsored by Rutgers University will have no copay, no coinsurance or deductibles for certain services provided.
Location
152 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020
Contact information
M - F: 9am to 9pm
848.445.6111
The College of New Jersey: Center for Integrative Wellness
The Center for Integrative Wellness is a teaching and training wellness center at the College of New Jersey. Services are provided licensed and certified professionals, and supervised students and graduates working toward their professional qualifications. Mental health services include individual, couple, and family therapy, and psychological assessments. Topics that counselors are trained to help clients with include anger and conflict management, stress management, career issues, family conflict, life transitions, mindfulness, depression and anxiety, sexuality and sexual identity, trauma, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, couple, and family therapy; stress management, depression and anxiety, career issues
Fees
Services offered are on a sliding scale from $15.00 to $55.00, based on clients' health needs and family income.
Location
Forcina Hall, Room 124
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628
Contact information
609.771.2700
Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in New Jersey
LGBTQ Health Center - VNACJ
VNACJ LGBTQ Center for Health & Wellness Center is a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ) Community Health Center in conjunction with the Prevention Resource Network funded by the NJ Department of Health, Division of HIV, STD and TB services. VNACJ LGBTQ+ Health Center provides an array of comprehensive care and wellness programs in a safe, culturally competent environment. Services include behavioral health care, HIV care, primary care, STD screenings, transgender services, and more. Certified healthcare professionals include physicians, nurses, social workers, certified behavioral health counselors, and registered dietitians.
Focus areas
LGBTQ+, counseling, primary care, transgender services
Fees
The LGBTQ Health Center accepts Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance and self-pay. A sliding scale is also provided to assist under or uninsured patients in need.
Location
1301 Main Street
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Contact information
T and Th: 5pm to 9pm
732.502.5130
Low cost therapy in different languages in New Jersey
The Bridge
The Bridge New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that helps families through individual, group, couples and family counseling. Services are offered by culturally diverse, skilled professional staff in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. Services help individuals and families through a holistic treatment approach to address complex struggles—including depression, anxiety, anger management, relationship and familial conflict, grief, trauma, divorce, substance use and life transitions. Staff, including some who are bilingual (Spanish), help clients utilize behavioral tactics, develop coping skills, and improve their overall well-being.
Focus areas
Multicultural and multilingual counseling, depression, anxiety, substance abuse
Fees
Medicare, Medicaid, & most private insurances are accepted. For those without insurance coverage, The Bridge has a sliding fee scale as well as additional funding sources that can be utilized.
Location
50 Union Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Contact information
973.372.2624
Community Health Center of Asbury Park - VNACJ
The Community Health Center in Asbury Park focuses on improving the health and well-being of individuals by providing high quality, cost-effective, comprehensive health care services, including behavioral health care. Specially trained behavioral health Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) work directly with primary care providers to address clients' cognitive and emotional well-being. Counselors can help with anyone who is having difficulty dealing with the normal stresses of life, experiencing depression, or struggling with managing conditions such as diabetes. Spanish and Haitian Creole speaking staff is available if needed.
Focus areas
Multilingual counseling, stress, depression
Fees
Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance are accepted. A sliding scale is also provided.
Location
1301 Main Street
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Contact information
732.502.5130
Low cost therapy for veterans in New Jersey
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)
Low cost therapy for the homeless in New Jersey
Boarding Home Outreach Program
The Gathering is a weekly support program for chronically mentally ill residents of boarding homes in Camden County. The program offers peer support, community outings, exercise and health classes as well as leadership and self-advocacy training. The Alliance Against Homeless provides homes in Bergen County with a supportive housing component and mental health services.
Focus areas
Homeless, supportive housing, mental health services
Location
217 Blackhorse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
Contact information
M - F: 9am to 5pm
856.522.0639
Canaan House
Canaan House is a full-service, permanent, supported, independent living facility designed to meet the special needs of homeless people living with HIV/AIDS and a severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and/or chemical addiction. Canaan House provides a full continuum of care including staff on site 24/7, 24/7 crisis intervention and emergency services, group and individual mental health and substance abuse services, home health-care services, vocational rehabilitation services, family support services, and case management and referral services.
Focus areas
Homeless, mental health, substance abuse, crisis intervention, case management
Fees
A sliding scale is provided.
Location
389 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Contact information
201.434.3939
Low cost therapy for older adults in New Jersey
The Family Guidance Center: Senior In-Home Counseling Services
The Family Guidance Center of Warren County (FGCWC) provides behavioral health services to the Warren County community in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, family conflict and emotional adjustment disorders. Specifically, the senior in-home counseling services program provides mental health services to homebound senior citizens, many of whom are socially isolated and unable to access community services. Professional staff can help with a number of problems including depression, anxiety, family conflict and difficulty coping with life changes associated with aging. Services include comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, short term in-home individual and family counseling, psychiatric evaluations, competency assessments, medication prescribing and management, caregiver counseling, referral and linkage to community services and resources, and continued treatment for those in need of long term services.
Focus areas
Older adults, individual and family counseling, medication management
Fees
Services from the senior in-home counseling services program are provided at no cost to Warren County senior citizens who are homebound and referred to the agency by the Warren County Division of Aging and Disability Services.
Location
492 Route 57 West
Washington, NJ 07882
Contact information
908.689.1000
Jewish Family Service of MetroWest
The Jewish Family Service of MetroWest Adult Counseling Department provides a wide array of services including individual, family, and couples counseling. The clinical staff consists of licensed professional therapists who are trained in current and evidence based treatment approaches. JFS MetroWest offers a variety of services to assist older adults and their families in embracing the aging process—a wide range of information and referrals, and Family Caregiver Services which include Comprehensive Assessments, Geriatric Care Management and Care Consultation. JFS also offers counseling and support groups, Holocaust Survivor services, Alzheimer’s and related dementia programs, and emergency financial assistance. Services are delivered by a highly trained staff of licensed social workers and care managers specializing in the field of geriatrics.
Focus areas
Older adults, counseling, support groups, family caregiver services
Fees
JFS MetroWest works with individuals and families to afford various health care costs, including helping lower Medicare monthly premiums, and insurance co-pays.
Location
256 Columbia Turnpike, #105
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Contact information
973.765.9050
Free helplines in New Jersey
Mental Health Association of NJ (MHANJ)
For those feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, NJ Mental Health Cares Helpline at 866.202.HELP (4357) offers emotional support, guidance and mental health referrals as needed. Live assistance from trained professionals is available from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. MHANJ has also been conducting online support groups/remote learning on many different topics from AA to employment wellness to student stress, which can be found on the website.
Focus areas
Free helpline, emotional support, COVID-19
Fees
This is a free resource.
Location
N/A
Contact information
M - Sun: 8am to 8pm
866.202.HELP (4357)
Free Helpline for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
The NJ Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in collaboration with the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, have opened a videophone helpline for individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing to access emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign language users are able to communicate directly with state partners at ACCESS, of St. Joseph's Healthcare System in Paterson. Individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing can call 973-870-0677 VP, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Focus areas
Free videophone helpline, emotional support, deaf or hard of hearing
Fees
This a free resource.
Location
N/A
Contact information
M - F: 9am to 5pm
973.870.0677
New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline
The New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline (NJ Hopeline) is funded by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care through our National Call Center. The mission is to provide support, assessment and, if needed, intervention in the most cooperative and least restrictive manner to New Jersey residents in emotional distress and suicidal crisis. Through the hotline, the goal is to lessen the amount of distress callers are currently experiencing and work collaboratively to develop a resolution to stressors. The NJ Hopeline team is comprised of caring individuals who are specially trained mental health and peer support specialists. A dedicated clinical supervisor heads each team for every shift, and senior clinical staff available for consultation at all times.
Focus areas
24/7 free helpline, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, peer support
Fees
This a free resource.
Location
N/A
Contact information
855.654.6735
Other low cost therapy services in New Jersey
Oasis Biblical Counseling Center
Oasis Biblical Counseling Center is a non-profit, full-service counseling center dedicated to providing biblically based spiritual, psychological and emotional guidance to individuals in their time of need. Counseling services include marriage, family and individual, depression, anger management, anxiety, ADHD, addiction, eating disorders, grief and trauma, OCD, financial issues, vocational and career issues, crisis/critical incident debriefing, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, family, biblically based counseling
Fees
The center offers a sliding scale fee and accepts insurance and Medicare.
Location
144 Readington Rd
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Contact information
908.577.5977
Resolve Community Counseling
Resolve Community Counseling Center is a nonprofit mental health agency in Scotch Plains, New Jersey dedicated to providing quality and affordable counseling, advocacy and educational programs for children, adolescents and adults, individuals and families. Resolve provides psychotherapy and counseling by psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors, who are trained in evidence-based and effective care. Services offered include individual counseling, couples and family counseling, support groups, psychological testing and evaluations, anger management, peer relations, substance abuse, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, couples and family counseling, support groups, anger management, substance abuse
Fees
Resolve Community Counseling Center offers low-cost services on a sliding scale basis for those in need.
Location
1830 Front St
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Contact information
908.322.9180
Essex County Family Justice Center
Essex County Family Justice Center provides accessible and coordinated services to victims of domestic violence. Staff work together to coordinate services for domestic violence victims, including counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, safety planning, medical and behavioral health screenings, housing assistance, civil, legal, and immigration assistance, and more. The center accepts clients on a walk-in basis.
Focus areas
Domestic violence, counseling, support groups, crisis intervention
Location
60 Nelson Place, 2nd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Contact information
973.230.7229