How Much Does Therapy Cost in Los Angeles? (2025 Prices)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs in Los Angeles for 2025? This guide breaks down prices by region and provider type, unpacks insurance options, and shares smart ways to save—so you can find quality mental health care that fits your budget.
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Looking for therapy in Los Angeles but concerned about the cost? This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay for mental health services across LA in 2025, with neighbourhood-specific pricing and insurance details.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Regional Cost Variations
- Insurance Coverage
- Affordable Therapy Options in LA
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Transportation Considerations
- How to Reduce Therapy Costs in LA
- LA-Specific Resources
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy session cost in LA: $150-$259 (ranges from $90-$374 depending on provider type and location).
- Psychiatrist session: $225-$518 (average $325).
- Psychologist session: $150-$374 (average $225).
- LCSW/LMFT session: $100-$259 (average $150).
- With insurance: $20-$58 copay (in-network), 50-70% reimbursement after deductible (out-of-network).
- Sliding scale options: Available from $30-$104 per session.
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Initial Consultation | Regular Session | Insurance Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | $275-$633 (avg $400) | $225-$518 (avg $325) | Many accept Medicare/some commercial | Higher in Beverly Hills/West Hollywood; many cash-only practices |
| Psychologist | $175-$431 (avg $250) | $150-$374 (avg $225) | Mixed insurance acceptance | PhD/PsyD with testing capabilities |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker | $125-$316 (avg $175) | $100-$259 (avg $150) | Most likely to accept insurance | Master's level clinicians, often more affordable |
| Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor | $100-$288 (avg $150) | $90-$230 (avg $135) | Some insurance plans | Not covered by Medicare |
| Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | $125-$316 (avg $175) | $100-$259 (avg $150) | Some insurance plans | Very common provider type in LA |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $225-$460 (avg $300) | $150-$374 (avg $225) | Most accept Medicare/some commercial | Can prescribe medication |
Regional Cost Variations
West LA/Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills/West Hollywood: $200-$460 per session (30-50% above city average).
- Santa Monica/Brentwood: $175-$403 per session (15-30% above city average).
- Westwood/Century City: $175-$374 per session (15-25% above city average).
Central LA
- Silver Lake/Los Feliz/Echo Park: $150-$316 per session (0-15% above city average).
- Hollywood/Mid-Wilshire: $140-$288 per session (at city average).
- Downtown LA: $125-$288 per session (at city average).
Valley
- Sherman Oaks/Studio City/Encino: $140-$288 per session (at city average).
- Van Nuys/North Hollywood: $125-$259 per session (5-15% below city average).
- Woodland Hills/Northridge: $110-$230 per session (10-20% below city average).
South/East LA
- Culver City/Mar Vista: $140-$288 per session (at city average).
- Pasadena/Glendale: $125-$259 per session (5-15% below city average).
- East Los Angeles: $100-$230 per session (15-25% below city average).
- South Los Angeles: $90-$201 per session (20-30% below city average).
Insurance Coverage
In-Network Coverage
- Commercial Insurance: $20-$58 copay per session (after deductible).
- Medicare: 20% coinsurance after meeting Part B deductible.
- Medi-Cal: $0-$6 copay (very limited provider network).
- Covered California Plans: Varies by metal tier.
Out-of-Network Coverage
- PPO Plans: Typically reimburse 50-70% of costs after deductible.
- FSA/HSA: Can use pre-tax dollars for therapy.
- Superbills: Most LA therapists provide these for insurance reimbursement.
LA Insurance Tip: Many LA therapists don't accept insurance directly due to low reimbursement rates. Kaiser Permanente members must typically use Kaiser mental health services or pay out-of-pocket for external providers.
Affordable Therapy Options in LA
Training Institutes
- Wright Institute Los Angeles: $30-$104 per session.
- Maple Counselling Centre: $35-$98 per session.
- Southern California Counselling Centre: $25-$92 per session.
University Clinics
- UCLA Psychology Clinic: $20-$86 per session.
- USC Psychology Services Centre: $25-$81 per session.
- Pepperdine Community Counselling Centres: $20-$75 per session.
Community Mental Health Centres
- LA County Department of Mental Health: $0-$40 based on income.
- Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: $0-$58 based on income.
- Airport Marina Counselling Service: $30-$104 based on income.
Online Therapy Options
- LA-based online therapists: $90-$230 per session.
- National platforms (BetterHelp, Talkspace): $60-$104 per week (subscription).
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: $30-$92 per session (one-time $59 membership fee).
Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Provider Experience: More experienced therapists charge 25-40% more.
- Entertainment Industry Specialisation: Therapists who work with entertainment professionals often charge premium rates.
- Session Length: 45-minute sessions may cost less than standard 50-60 minute sessions.
- Frequency: Some providers offer discounts for twice-weekly sessions.
- Office Location: Commercial rent directly impacts fees (Beverly Hills has some of the highest commercial rents in LA).
Transportation Considerations
- Traffic: Factor in 30-90 minutes of travel time each way during peak hours.
- Parking: Many offices offer validated parking, but costs can add $5-$17 per session.
- Public Transit: Limited options, but Metro lines can provide access to some areas.
- Telehealth Options: Many LA providers offer virtual sessions to avoid traffic.
- Location Clustering: Therapists tend to cluster in certain neighbourhoods (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Silver Lake).
How to Reduce Therapy Costs in LA
- Ask about sliding scale fees: Many therapists reserve slots for lower-income clients.
- Consider group therapy: Typically $40-$104 per session.
- Explore university training clinics: Supervised students offer quality care at reduced rates.
- Use out-of-network benefits: May cover 50-70% after deductible.
- Try community mental health centres: Fees based on income.
- Look into LA-specific programmes: LA County Department of Mental Health offers services.
- Consider telehealth options: Often 10-15% less expensive than in-person.
LA-Specific Resources
- LA County Department of Mental Health Helpline: 24/7 mental health support (800-854-7771).
- 211 LA County: Referrals to mental health services (dial 211).
- Maple Counselling Centre: Affordable therapy in Beverly Hills (tmcc.org).
- Southern California Counselling Centre: Sliding scale therapy (sccc-la.org).
- Open Path Collective: Affordable therapy network (openpathcollective.org).
Sources
- California Department of Health Care Services Fee Schedules (2025)
- Psychology Today Provider Directory - Los Angeles (May 2025)
- ZocDoc Provider Listings - Los Angeles (May 2025)
- Covered California Marketplace Plan Comparison (2025)
- American Psychiatric Association Fee Survey (2024-2025)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Fee Survey (2025)
- National Association of Social Workers - CA Chapter Fee Survey (2025)
Note: Prices are current as of May 25, 2025 but may change. Always verify costs directly with providers before beginning treatment.
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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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