How Much Does Therapy Cost in San Francisco, California? 2025 Guide
Therapy in San Francisco can range from low-cost sessions at university clinics to over $350 with a private psychologist, depending on the provider and your insurance plan.
This guide provides a clear breakdown of therapy costs in San Francisco, California, including typical fees by provider type, local affordable care options, and insurance coverage, giving you the essential information to navigate mental healthcare expenses in this iconic city.
Table of Contents
- Quick Summary
- Average Session Costs by Provider Type
- Who Can Provide Therapy in San Francisco?
- Insurance Coverage for Therapy in San Francisco
- Affordable Care Options
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
- Therapy Cost Directory
- References
Quick Summary
- Average Cost: Individual therapy sessions in San Francisco typically range from $150 to $300, with some experienced private practitioners charging $300 for a standard session.
- Affordable Options: Key affordable resources include the San Francisco Community Health Centre (an FQHC with a sliding scale), the CIIS Psychological Services Centre (a low-cost university training clinic), and the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Behavioural Health Access Centre.
- Provider Differences: Psychiatrists and fully licensed psychologists command the highest rates, while community health centres and university-affiliated training clinics provide more affordable entry points.
- Insurance: Many therapists in San Francisco are out-of-network providers who offer a superbill for insurance reimbursement. Common plans in the area include Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente, and Anthem Blue Cross.
Average Session Costs by Provider Type
The cost of therapy in San Francisco is among the highest in the country, driven by its high cost of living and the concentration of specialised practitioners. Fees vary based on a practitioner’s qualifications, experience, and specialisation. Psychiatrists, who are medical doctors able to prescribe medication, have the highest fees, while community health centres and pre-licensed associates offer more accessible price points.
| Provider Type | Average Session Cost |
|---|---|
| :--- | :--- |
| Psychiatrist (MD, DO) | $350 – $600+ |
| Psychologist (PhD, PsyD) | $250 – $400+ |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | $200 – $350 |
| Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) | $200 – $350 |
| Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor (LPCC) | $200 – $350 |
| Associate/Intern | $100 – $200 |
| Community Health Centre (Sliding Scale) | Varies; often reduced fees |
Who Can Provide Therapy in San Francisco?
To get good care, it is helpful to know about the different types of mental health workers in San Francisco. California has several professional boards that ensure practitioners meet strict standards for education, training, and ethics.
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 Medical Board of California.
- Psychologist (PhD, PsyD): Psychologists hold a doctoral degree and are trained in psychological testing, assessment, and providing psychotherapy. They cannot prescribe medication in California. They are licensed by the California Board of Psychology.
- 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 and are licensed by the Board of Behavioural Sciences (BBS).
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): An LCSW has a master’s degree in social work and has completed supervised clinical experience. They provide assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy and are also licensed by the BBS.
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor (LPCC): An LPCC has a master's degree in counselling and has met supervised experience requirements to provide psychotherapy and assessment. They are licensed by the BBS.
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) / Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) / Associate Professional Clinical Counsellor (APCC): These are pre-licensed professionals who have completed their master's degree and are gaining supervised experience toward full licensure. They provide therapy at a lower cost under the supervision of a licensed professional.
Insurance Coverage for Therapy in San Francisco
Many therapists in San Francisco operate as out-of-network providers. This means they do not bill insurance companies directly. Instead, the client pays the full session fee upfront and can then submit a ‘superbill’, an itemised receipt, to their insurance company for potential reimbursement.
Top 5 Plans
While many insurance providers operate in California, the following are some of the most common plans in the San Francisco Bay Area:Blue Shield of California:
- A major insurer in the state offering PPO and HMO plans with mental health benefits.
- Generally includes copays/coinsurance for outpatient therapy; verify current in-network status for your plan and provider
- Telehealth: Typically covered under similar terms as in-person visits; confirm with the plan.
- May offer digital mental health tools or care programs; check the benefits booklet for specifics.
Kaiser Permanente
- An integrated managed care consortium that provides mental health services through its own network of providers.
- Out-of-network reimbursement is typically limited; confirm whether a non-Kaiser provider is eligible for coverage.
- Telehealth: Available within Kaiser’s network with standard cost-sharing.
Anthem Blue Cross:
- Large behavioural health provider network; in-network therapy has predictable copays/coinsurance
- Reimbursement depends on plan; a superbill may be needed.
- Some services may require authorisation for certain therapies or higher-cost treatments.
Health Net:
- Broad plans; in-network therapy usually lower costs.
- Reimbursement depends on plan; check if superbill submission is required.
- Copays or coinsurance apply; deductible may be involved depending on plan.
- Telehealth: Typically covered; confirm plan specifics.
Medi-Cal:
- California’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
- County-run networks may influence wait times and appointment access.
- Non-specialty services through MCPs; specialty mental health through county plans; coordination may be required.
- Some services may require authorisation or specific pathways; verify with the county program.
In-network vs. Out-of-network:
- In-network: Using an in-network provider is the most cost-effective option, as you are typically only responsible for a copay. Community health centres like the San Francisco Community Health Centre often accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
- Out-of-network: This is a common arrangement in San Francisco private practices. You pay the therapist’s full fee at the time of service and then seek reimbursement from your insurance plan. It is important to check your plan’s out-of-network benefits to understand how much you can expect to be reimbursed.
Affordable Care Options
Despite its high cost of living, San Francisco has several excellent resources for affordable mental healthcare.Community Health Centres:
- San Francisco Community Health Centre: This Federally Qualified Health Centre (FQHC) is a key resource for city residents. It offers comprehensive services, including behavioural health, on a sliding fee scale and accepts Medi-Cal and many PPO plans. They currently have little to no waitlist for intake.
University-Affiliated Clinics:
- CIIS Psychological Services Centre: This community clinic, run by the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), offers low-cost, sliding-scale therapy based on income. Sessions are provided by supervised doctoral students. You can reach them at (415) 346-1011.
County Mental Health Services:
- SF Department of Public Health - Behavioural Health Access Centre (BHAC): This is the central point of entry for San Francisco's public mental health services. It provides assessments, referrals, and treatment for city residents, regardless of ability to pay. You can drop in at 1380 Howard Street or call their 24/7 access line at (888) 246-3333.
Crisis Support:
- SFDPH 24/7 Help Line: Provides immediate crisis support and referrals. You can call (888) 246-3333 at any time.
- Street Crisis Response Team: A mobile crisis team for non-violent situations, dispatched by calling 911.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A national, 24/7 hotline for mental health crises, accessible by call or text.
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
Provider Strategies
- Contact the San Francisco Community Health Centre or CIIS Psychological Services Centre to inquire about their sliding fee scales.
- Reach out to the Behavioural Health Access Centre to access county-funded services.
- Ask private practices if they have any availability with a pre-licensed associate or intern, as their rates are often significantly lower.
Alternative Resources
- Check if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which may provide a limited number of free counselling sessions.
- If you have a PPO plan, be sure to use your out-of-network benefits by submitting superbills from your therapist.
- Consider telehealth options, which can sometimes be more affordable and eliminate travel expenses.
Therapy Cost Directory
- Nearby Cities: Sacramento | Los Angeles | San Jose | Malibu
- State: For a statewide overview of therapy costs, see: How Much Does Therapy Cost In California
- 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
Dr. Bear Korngold, Psy.D. - Fees for Therapy
Calm Again Counselling - How Much Does Therapy Cost in San Francisco?
San Francisco Community Health Centre - Mental and Behavioural Health Services
CIIS - Psychological Services Centre
San Francisco Department of Public Health - Mental Health SF
California Board of Psychology
California Board of Behavioural Sciences
Blue Shield of California - Mental Health Resources
Kaiser Permanente - Mental Health Services in Northern California
Anthem Blue Cross - Mental Health Resources
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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