How Much Does Therapy Cost in Brooklyn, New York? 2025 Guide

This guide provides a clear breakdown of therapy costs across Brooklyn, including typical fees by provider type, neighbourhood price differences, affordable care options, and insurance coverage, giving you the essential information to navigate mental healthcare expenses with confidence.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Quick Summary

Average Session Costs by Provider Type

Neighbourhood Cost Variations

Who Can Provide Therapy in Brooklyn?

Insurance Coverage for Therapy in Brooklyn

Affordable Care Options

Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs

Therapy Cost Directory

References

Quick Summary

• Average Cost: Individual therapy sessions in Brooklyn typically range from $125 to $345 per session, with affluent neighbourhoods like Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope at the higher end of the scale.

• Provider Differences: Psychiatrists command the highest rates, often between $250 and $575, while licensed counsellors and social workers may offer sessions starting from $125.

• Affordable Options: Numerous low-cost alternatives exist, including community-based clinics like Community Counselling & Mediation (CCM) and sliding-scale practices such as Greene Clinic.

• Insurance: Most New York insurance plans are required by law to cover mental health services, though the extent of coverage for in-network versus out-of-network providers differs significantly.

Average Session Costs by Provider Type

Neighbourhood Cost Variations

Higher-Cost Neighbourhoods

• Park Slope / Brooklyn Heights / Williamsburg: $150 – $345

Mid-Range Neighbourhoods

• Prospect Heights / Fort Greene / Clinton Hill: $140 – $275

Lower-Cost Neighbourhoods

• South Brooklyn / Bay Ridge: $125 – $225

Who Can Provide Therapy in Brooklyn?

Types of Licensed Therapists:

• Psychiatrist (MD, DO): Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health. They can prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy. They are licensed by the New York State Board for Medicine.

• Psychologist (PhD, PsyD): Psychologists hold a doctoral degree and are trained in psychological testing, assessment, and providing psychotherapy. They cannot prescribe medication in New York. They are licensed by the New York State Board for Psychology.

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): An LCSW has a master's degree in social work and has completed thousands of hours of supervised clinical experience. They provide assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. They are licensed by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

• Licensed Mental Health Counsellor (LMHC): An LMHC holds a master's degree in counselling and has met supervised experience requirements to provide psychotherapy and assessment. They are licensed by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): An LMFT has a master's degree with a specialisation in relationship and family dynamics. They provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families. They are licensed by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP): A Psychiatric NP is an advanced practice nurse with specialised training in mental health. They can diagnose conditions, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe medication. They are licensed by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

Insurance Coverage for Therapy in Brooklyn

Top 5 Plans

• Medicaid: Offers comprehensive coverage with minimal or no copay, though the network of providers can be limited.
• Medicare: Typically covers 80% of the cost for outpatient mental health services after the Part B deductible is met.
• EmblemHealth: One of the largest local insurers, offering a variety of plans with different levels of mental health coverage.
• Healthfirst: A prominent provider of Medicaid and Medicare plans in the New York City area.
• UnitedHealthcare: A major national insurer with a large network of providers in New York.

In-network vs. Out-of-network:

• In-network: If you see a therapist who is in-network with your insurance plan, you will typically only be responsible for a copay, which often ranges from $20 to $50 per session.

• Out-of-network: If you see a therapist who is out-of-network, you will likely have to pay the full fee upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. PPO plans often reimburse 50% to 80% of the cost after your deductible is met.

Affordable Care Options

Community-Based Clinics: Non-profit organisations run clinics that provide services at a reduced cost, often accepting Medicaid and Medicare.

• Examples:
  • Community Counselling & Mediation (CCM) works specifically in underserved Brooklyn communities
  • New York Psychotherapy and Counselling Centre (NYPCC) has locations in Brooklyn and offers services to all ages.

Sliding-Scale Practices: Some private practices are committed to offering more affordable care based on income.

• Example: Greene Clinic is a well-regarded sliding-scale psychotherapy practice located in Brooklyn.

University Training Clinics: These clinics offer low-cost services provided by graduate students under the supervision of licensed professionals.

• Cost: Often between $20 and $80 per session.

Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs

Provider Strategies

• Ask about a sliding scale. Many therapists adjust fees based on income.
• Consider group therapy, which is often a fraction of the cost of individual sessions.

Alternative Resources

• Use your out-of-network benefits if you have a PPO plan.
• Explore online therapy platforms, which connect users with therapists offering low-cost sessions.
• Contact NYC 988, a free, 24/7 confidential helpline that can provide short-term counselling and referral services.

Therapy Cost Directory

• Nearby Cities: Manhattan | Yonkers | The Hamptons
• State: For a statewide overview of therapy costs, see: How Much Does Therapy Cost In New York
• Country: For a country-wide overview of therapy costs in the US, see: How Much Does Therapy Cost in the US
• Worldwide: For a global overview of therapy costs, see: Therapy Costs Worldwide

References

Community Counselling & Mediation (CCM)

Greene Clinic

Health Insurance: Behavioural Health Services - NYC Health

EmblemHealth Plans

UnitedHealthcare New York Plans

Low-cost NYC therapy