Counseling costs $100 to $250 per session if not covered by insurance, depending on your location, type of counseling, and the counselor's specialty. Prices are on the high end of the range in major metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco. The average cost of counseling with insurance is $20 to $60 per session for the copay.

Online counseling costs $50 to $110 per week through websites that offer a membership plan. Plans on the lower end of the price range are typically limited to support via text or email messaging only, while plans at the higher end of the range include scheduled video sessions with a licensed counselor or therapist.

Marriage counseling costs $120 to $250 per session for in-person therapy or $90 to $230 per session for online therapy.

You can only use your HSA or FSA for counseling if you have a billable diagnosis—such as depression or bipolar disorder—and the therapy is deemed medically necessary. You can't use your HSA or FSA for marriage or family counseling, grief counseling, or therapy for stress management.

Counselors have a master's degree in psychology and are trained and licensed to practice psychotherapy. A counselor may be licensed or certified in a specific area:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
• Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC)
• Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Registered Child Therapist RPT)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

A counselor can help you navigate challenging life situations, understand your emotions, strengthen your self-esteem, and improve your communication and coping skills. They provide support through difficult times and guide you in making the necessary changes in thinking and behavior to improve your mental and emotional health.

Counselors can help you with a variety of problems:

• Depression and mood changes
• Marriage and relationship problems
• Grief or loss
• Anxiety, stress, and panic attacks
• Self-esteem and body image concerns
• Eating disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anger management
• Addiction
• Gender or sexual identity concerns

Counselors are licensed psychologists but not medical doctors, and in most parts of the U.S. they are not allowed to prescribe medication. Only Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow counselors to prescribe medication, and counselors in these states must complete additional psychopharmacology training and certification.

In the rest of the U.S., only a medical doctor can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication, but they typically do not provide talk therapy or counseling services.

A licensed counselor can give a mental health diagnosis in all states except Indiana and Maine. However, the counselor must refer clients to a psychiatrist or other medical doctor if the condition requires medication. Consult a counselor near you if you have concerns about ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions.

When searching for a counselor, it's important to choose one who makes you feel comfortable, safe, and respected. Follow these tips to find the best counselor for you:

• If you have a specific concern—such as depression, stress, or relationship issues—look for counselors who specialize in that area.
• Ask your medical provider for recommendations.
• Read reviews from other clients on Thervo and Google.
• Confirm the counselor accepts your insurance or offers a sliding-scale rate.
• Ask about telemedicine and virtual visit options.
• Schedule an initial consultation to make sure you're happy with the counselor's communication style and empathy.

Ask these questions to help you choose a counselor who will help you achieve the best results:

• How long have you been practicing, and what are your certifications?
• What areas of counseling do you specialize in?
• What is your philosophy as a counselor?
• What therapeutic approaches do you typically use?
• What does a typical session look like?
• Are you more directive or guiding as a counselor?
• Do you give homework or reading assignments?
• Do you offer virtual / telemedicine appointments?
• Do you accept my insurance? Do you bill the insurance company directly?
• Do you offer sliding-scale rates for clients without insurance?