Mental Health Services: Types, Costs, and How to Access Them

By Faith, LCPC · 8 min read · February 24, 2025

Understanding the Mental Health Services Landscape

Mental health services encompass a vast continuum of care from crisis intervention to long-term outpatient therapy. Navigating this system can be overwhelming, especially when you are already struggling. This guide breaks down the main types of services, who they are appropriate for, what they cost, and how to access them.

Levels of Mental Health Care

Crisis Services (Level 1): For immediate psychiatric emergencies. Includes the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), hospital emergency rooms, crisis stabilization units, and mobile crisis teams. These services are free and available 24/7.

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization (Level 2): Short-term (typically 3–14 days) intensive stabilization in a hospital psychiatric unit for people in acute crisis. Appropriate when someone is a danger to themselves or others or is severely impaired.

Residential Treatment (Level 3): 24-hour structured therapeutic care in a non-hospital setting. Programs range from 30 days to 6 months and are used for severe mental health or substance use disorders.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) (Level 4): Day treatment programs meeting 5–7 days per week for 5–6 hours per day. A step down from residential care that allows patients to sleep at home.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) (Level 5): Structured group therapy and counseling 3–5 days per week for 3 hours per day. Appropriate for moderate severity with a stable home environment.

Outpatient Therapy (Level 6): Weekly or biweekly individual therapy, group therapy, or psychiatric medication management. The most common form of mental health treatment and appropriate for mild to moderate concerns.

Types of Mental Health Providers

Psychiatrists (MD/DO): Medical doctors who prescribe medications and provide psychiatric evaluation. Average cost: $200–$400 per initial visit; $150–$300 for medication management follow-ups.

Psychologists (PhD/PsyD): Doctoral-level providers offering therapy and psychological testing. Average cost: $150–$300 per session.

Licensed Therapists/Counselors (LCSW, LPC, LMFT): Master's-level providers offering the full range of psychotherapy. Average cost: $100–$200 per session.

Community Mental Health Centers: State-funded centers providing services on a sliding scale based on income. Many charge $0–$50 per session for qualifying individuals.

Telehealth Platforms: BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Cerebral offer online therapy starting around $60–$100 per week.

Mental Health Insurance Coverage

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) require most insurance plans to cover mental health services. Mental health benefits must be equivalent to physical health benefits — the same deductibles, copays, and visit limits.

In practice, finding an in-network provider can be challenging due to provider shortages. If you cannot find an in-network provider, many insurers will authorize out-of-network coverage at in-network rates through a process called a single case agreement.

Free and Low-Cost Mental Health Resources

• 988 Lifeline: Free crisis counseling by phone or text, 24/7
• SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 — free referrals to local treatment programs
• Open Path Collective: $30–$80 per session for uninsured clients
• NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 — information and referrals
• Community Mental Health Centers: Sliding scale fees based on income
• University Training Clinics: Low-cost therapy by supervised graduate students
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Free confidential counseling through your employer

Taking the First Step

The most important thing about mental health services is using them. Research consistently shows that treatment works — the vast majority of people who receive appropriate mental health care see significant improvement. Whether you start with a call to SAMHSA's helpline, a telehealth appointment, or a session at a community mental health center, any first step toward care is the right one.