How Much Does Therapy Cost in Flagstaff, Arizona? 2025 Guide
Therapy costs in Flagstaff can range from $75 for a session with an intern to over $200 for a session with a licensed professional, depending on the provider and your insurance coverage.
This guide provides a clear breakdown of therapy costs across Flagstaff, Arizona, including typical fees by provider type, regional 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
Average Session Costs by Provider Type
Who Can Provide Therapy in Flagstaff?
Insurance Coverage for Therapy in Flagstaff
Quick Summary
- Average Cost: Individual therapy sessions in Flagstaff typically range from $75 to $200 for a fully licensed professional, with intern and sliding scale options offering significantly lower rates.
- Provider Differences: Psychiatrists and fully licensed counsellors command the highest rates, while pre-licensed interns and community health centres with sliding scales offer more affordable entry points, with sessions as low as $75.
- Affordable Options: Flagstaff has strong community-based options like North Country HealthCare and The Guidance Centre, which provide services on a sliding fee scale and accept public insurance like AHCCCS.
- Insurance: Most Arizona insurance plans are required by law to cover mental health services, but verifying coverage with your specific provider is essential, as some may be out-of-network or not accept certain plans.
Average Session Costs by Provider Type
The cost of therapy in Flagstaff is influenced by the professional’s qualifications, experience, and the city's role as a regional hub in northern Arizona. Psychiatrists, as medical doctors who can prescribe medication, have the highest fees. However, the presence of community health centres and practices with training programmes provides more accessible cost options.
| Provider Type | Average Session Cost |
|---|---|
| :--- | :--- |
| Psychiatrist (MD, DO) | $250 – $450+ |
| Psychologist (PhD, PsyD) | $150 – $250 |
| Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) | $150 – $200 |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | $150 – $200 |
| Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) | $150 – $200 |
| Associate Counsellor (LAC) / Intern | $75 – $105 |
| Community Health Centre (Sliding Scale) | Varies by income |
Who Can Provide Therapy in Flagstaff?
To get good care, it helps to know about the different types of mental health workers in Flagstaff. The Arizona Board of Behavioural Health Examiners (BBHE) is the primary regulatory body that gives licences to most mental health professionals, ensuring they meet strict standards for education and training.
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 Arizona Medical Board.
- Psychologist (PhD, PsyD): Psychologists hold a doctoral degree and are trained in psychological testing, assessment, and providing psychotherapy. They cannot prescribe medication in Arizona. They are licensed by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners.
- Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC): An LPC has a master's degree in counselling and has met supervised experience requirements to provide psychotherapy and assessment.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): An LCSW has a master's degree in social work and has completed supervised clinical experience, including a licensing exam. They provide assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy.
- 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.
Insurance Coverage for Therapy in Flagstaff
Most health insurance plans in Arizona are required to provide some level of coverage for mental health services due to federal parity laws. However, the extent of coverage can vary significantly between plans, and it is important to confirm with both your insurance company and the therapy provider before starting treatment.
Top 5 Plans
While many insurance providers operate in Arizona, the following are some of the most common plans available in the Flagstaff area:
AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System)
- Arizona's Medicaid program, widely accepted at community health centres like North Country HealthCare.
Medicare
- Typically covers 80% of the cost for outpatient mental health services after the Part B deductible is met.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
- A major insurer in the state. Many local practices, such as Cultivate Counseling, are in-network with most BCBS plans.
Aetna
- A major national insurer with a large network in Arizona, also accepted at many local practices.
UnitedHealthcare/UMR
- Another major national insurer with a significant presence in the area.
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. Community health centres are often in-network with public plans like AHCCCS.
- 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. Many practices, such as Flagstaff Counselling Centre, will provide a superbill (an itemised receipt) for this purpose.
Affordable Care Options
Flagstaff has a strong network of community-focused organisations that provide accessible mental healthcare.- Community Mental Health Centres: These centres are the backbone of affordable care in Flagstaff, providing services to residents of Coconino County, often on a sliding scale or through AHCCCS.
- The Guidance Centre: A not-for-profit Community Mental Health Centre serving Flagstaff since 1969, offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient services for all ages. They also operate a 24/7 crisis hotline.
- North Country HealthCare: Offers integrated behavioural health in its primary care settings, as well as specialty psychotherapy and medication management. They accept private insurance, AHCCCS, and Medicare, and offer a sliding fee scale for those who are financially eligible.
- Southwest Behavioural & Health Services: Provides outpatient services in Flagstaff including individual, group, and family counselling, psychiatric care, and peer support.
- Sliding Scale & Intern Programs: Some private practices offer reduced fees to make therapy more accessible.
- Example: Cultivate Counselling Flagstaff offers a sliding scale rate of $105 per session for qualified clients and sessions with MA Therapist Interns for $75.
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
Provider Strategies
- Ask about a sliding scale. Community health centres like North Country HealthCare and The Guidance Centre are required to offer reduced fees based on income.
- Consider group therapy, which is often a fraction of the cost of individual sessions. Cultivate Counselling offers an OCD Education & Skills group.
- Inquire about seeing a therapist intern. Cultivate Counselling offers sessions with interns for $75.
Alternative Resources
- Check with Northern Arizona University (NAU) if you are a student, as they may offer free or low-cost counselling services.
- Check with your employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which may offer a limited number of free counselling sessions.
- Use your out-of-network benefits if you have a PPO plan by submitting a superbill from your provider.
Therapy Cost Directory
- Nearby Cities: Phoenix | Mesa | Chandler | Sedona
- State: For a statewide overview of therapy costs, see: How Much Does Therapy Cost In Arizona
- Country: For a country-wide overview of therapy costs in the US, see: Therapy Costs Across the US
- Worldwide: For a global overview of therapy costs, see: Therapy Costs Worldwide
References
Cultivate Counseling Flagstaff - Services & RatesFlagstaff Counseling Center - Payment and Rates
North Country HealthCare - Behavioral Health & Mental Illness
The Guidance Center of Northern Arizona
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners
Southwest Behavioral & Health Services - Flagstaff Outpatient
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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