Finding an affordable therapist in San Diego can be difficult. Most private practice therapists charge between $100 - $150+ per session and finding in-network therapists can be overwhelming: health insurance websites are often outdated and inaccurate, and those who are in-network are hardly ever accepting new patients because their services are so in-demand.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 San Diego 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 San Diego
- Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in San Diego
- Low cost therapy in different languages in San Diego
- Low cost therapy for veterans in San Diego
- Low cost therapy for the homeless in San Diego
- Low cost therapy for older adults in San Diego
- Free helplines in San Diego
- Other low cost services in San Diego
Low cost therapy for college students in San Diego
University of San Diego Telemental Health Training Clinic
The Telemental Health Training Clinic is a community clinic operated by faculty members in the counseling program here at the University of San Diego to provide high quality and affordable counseling services for individuals of all ages. Telemental health is a face-to-face video therapy that allows clients to have appointments in real time through confidential, secure online video conferencing. Counseling services are provided by graduate-level counseling trainees under the supervision of our clinic director, who is a California licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). The clinic does not charge for screenings and referrals.
Focus areas
Individual counseling, stress management, school-related problems, developmental transitions, child and family concerns, career counseling
Fees
Fees are $25-40/session, but there are available fee reductions that vary from service to service.
Location
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Contact information
619.260.7670
Low cost therapy for LGBTQ folks in San Diego
San Diego LGBT Community Center
The San Diego LGBT Community Center's mission is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and HIV communities by providing activities, programs and services that create community; empower community members; provide essential resources; advocate for civil and human rights; and embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity. Mental health services include individual, couples, family, and group counseling to LGBT community members. Information, skills, and support are provided to assist coping with trauma, stress, coming out issues, self-esteem, relationship problems, intimacy problems, bereavement, depression, anxiety, sexual concerns, and addictions.
Focus areas
LGBTQ+, individual, couples, family, and group therapy
Fees
Fees are income-based sliding scale, starting at around $25/session.
Location
3909 Centre St.
San Diego, CA 92103
Contact information
M - Th: 8am to 8pm; F: 8am to 5pm
619.692.2077
Low cost therapy in different languages in San Diego
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is a nonprofit provides assistance with family or marital conflict, domestic violence, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related issues, relationship problems, stage of life adjustment, parenting skills. Services include individual, couples, family, and group therapy; psychological and psychoeducational testing; food bank; social services. Services are available in Spanish.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, family, group therapy
Fees
Fees are sliding scale, based on income ($65-$200/session).
Location
349 Cedar St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact information
M - Th: 8am to 8pm; F: 8am to 5pm
619.231.2828
Operation Samahan
Operation Samahan is a multi-service health center providing primary health care, health promotion and education, and social services to low-income families of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds throughout the area. Services are available in Spanish, Tagalog, Ilocano, Visayan and other Filipino dialects, Laotian, Bengali, and Farsi. Primary care can also prescribe medication for depression and anxiety (on case-by-case basis).
Focus areas
Multicultural counseling
Fees
The center accepts Medi-Cal. Otherwise, fees are income-based sliding scale. Individual therapy: $45 intake, $35/session (starting).
Location
2743 Highland Ave.
National City, CA 91950
Contact information
M - Sat: 8:30am to 5pm
619.474.2284
Union of Pan Asian Communities
The Union of Pan Asian Communities is a non-profit that provides health and human services focused on improving the general well-being and education of the Asian, Pacific Islander and other ethnic communities of San Diego County. Services provided are individual, couples, family, and group therapy; assessment; peer support; prevention education; case management; psychiatric medication management; employment program; psychoeducational classes; and older adult mental health. Services are available in Chinese, Cambodian, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, family, and group therapy, multicultural counseling
Fees
The center accepts Medi-Cal. Otherwise, fees are income-based sliding scale.
Location
5348 University Ave. Suite #10 & 102
San Diego, CA 92105
Contact information
619.229.2999
Low cost therapy for veterans in San Diego
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)
Cohen Clinic
The Cohen Clinic provides high-quality and accessible behavioral health care to veterans, their families, the families of active duty service members, and caregivers. Services are available to any person who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, regardless of role or discharge status. Services are provided by trained and credentialed staff. Veterans and their family members are able to receive services individually and as a family unit at the same place with the same treatment team. The Cohen Clinic will also help connect veteran families to community resources and services, as necessary.
Focus areas
Military veterans
Fees
The Cohen Clinics accept all major insurances, but will work with clients on a case-by-case basis to ensure that any barriers to care are addressed. For those with no insurance, care may be available at no cost.
Location
8885 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite #301
San Diego, CA 92108-1610
Contact information
619.345.4611
Low cost therapy for the homeless in San Diego
South Bay Community Services
The South Bay Community Services (SBCS) is an organization that focuses on supporting the well-being and prosperity of children, youth, and families. Through comprehensive and coordinated services and supports, SBCS assists all individuals and all communities to reach their fullest potential. For homeless families, therapy, housing and support services are offered. Services also focus on homeless prevention (rental subsidies and support) and rapid rehousing program, as well as healthy child development services. Additionally, there are support groups that focus on issues such as domestic violence or parenting.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, family, and group therapy, homeless services, domestic violence, child development services
Fees
SBCS accepts Medi-Cal. Otherwise, fees are income-based sliding scale.
Location
430 F St. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Contact information
M - Th: 8:30am to 8pm; F: 8:30am to 5pm
619.420.3620
800.640.2933 (Domestic Violence Response Team 24/7 hotline)
Low cost therapy for older adults in San Diego
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Family Health Centers of San Diego's (FHCSD) is a nonprofit to provide affordable, high-quality health care and support services to all people, with a special commitment to the uninsured, low-income and medically underserved. FHCSD’s PACE is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This program provides individualized care by an interdisciplinary care team of geriatric professionals focused on working with older adults to establish goals for care and address specific needs. PACE helps older adults to manage those needs through coordinated medical and social services (including counseling, family support and assistance with benefits). Other programs and services offered include family counseling, individual and group counseling, adult psychiatry, psychological testing for children, and clinic-, school-, and home-based services.
Focus areas
Adults, older adults, adolescents, children, families
Fees
Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) accepts a broad range of payment and insurance plans, including Covered California and Medi-Cal. In addition, all FHCSD clinics operate on a sliding fee scale, based upon income and family size. No patient will be turned away based on an inability to pay. FHCSD staff can also help patients enroll in free or low-cost services, such as Medi-Cal, that can help cover the cost of treatment and services.
Location
2130 National Ave.
San Diego, CA 92113
Contact information
619.515.2445
Free helplines in San Diego
Friendship Line
The Friendship Line is a 24-hour toll-free hotline/warmline for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. It is operated by the Institute on Aging, and provides older and disabled adults reassurance, crisis intervention, information and referrals. Call to speak with a trained volunteer who specializes in offering caring conversation with older adults. In addition to receiving incoming calls, Friendship Line also offers outreach to eligible callers. The call-out services act as an intervention to prevent suicide in the long term by improving the quality of life and connectedness of isolated callers.
Focus areas
24/7 mental health helpline
Fees
This is a free resource for everyone.
Location
N/A
Contact information
800.971.0016
Access and Crisis Line
Access and Crisis Line provides a free, confidential, crisis intervention hotline for anyone struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, loss, or anger, family members or friends concerned about someone, people thinking about harming themselves or others, and professionals seeking resources for their clients. Services include support in all languages, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, referrals for mental health and/or alcohol and drug needs. Referrals to other related resources are also provided, including for Medi-Cal recipients and people without insurance.
Focus areas
24/7 mental health hotline
Fees
This is a free resource for everyone.
Location
N/A
Contact information
888.724.7240
Other low cost therapy services in San Diego
Center for Mindful Relationships
Center for Mindful Relationships (CFMR) offers skilled psychotherapy services including counseling for individuals, couples, family and group therapy in San Diego. The center's approach is guided by compassion and focused on increasing clients' awareness of their own internal process, thereby enabling them to make different life choices. Online therapy is also available for those that cannot make it to office. Services are available in Spanish if necessary.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, group, family therapy
Fees
Individual ($40+/session), couples ($50+/session), family ($50+/session), and group therapy ($25/session).
Location
2333 1st Ave. #203
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact information
M - F: 9am to 9pm; Sat: 9am to 3pm
619.354.1005
Jewish Family Services
Jewish Family Services is a nonprofit organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego. Some services that are offered include individual, couples, family, and group therapy; case management; employment and career services; food assistance; parenting and youth services; refugee and immigration services. Military families are welcome. Day and evening appointments are available for counseling and other services. Psychotherapy is provided issues including mood management, bereavement, relationship issues, and more.
Focus areas
Individual, couples, family, and group therapy
Fees
Jewish Family Services accepts insurance. Otherwise, fees are income-based sliding scale. Some support groups are free.
Location
804 Balboa Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
Contact information
858.637.3210