Losing my therapist of four and a half years was a significant adjustment, especially amid personal and professional changes. As someone navigating life with multiple marginalized identities, therapy has been a vital space for processing and growth. But now, as a disabled person on a fixed income, finding accessible and affordable mental health care feels impossible.
Mental health care is expensive, with sessions often costing $100 to $200. For those on fixed incomes, this means making tough choices between essential expenses and well-being. While insurance may cover some costs, my experiences with limited, pre-selected therapists have left me feeling powerless in choosing the care that best suits my needs. Being unable to choose your therapist, especially when navigating the complexities of race, disability, and gender identity, can make accessing mental health support even more challenging.
Recently, I tried to schedule therapy with four different providers, explaining that I’d need to pay upfront monthly due to my financial situation. Despite my willingness to prioritize my well-being, I was turned away—another reminder of how financial inaccessibility creates barriers to care.
This raises an important question: What does true inclusivity in mental health care look like? As a Master of Social Work (MSW) student, I’m learning that ethical practice includes understanding clients’ financial realities. When therapy is financially inaccessible, especially for marginalized communities, we need to rethink what accessibility and inclusion truly mean in the mental health field.
Mental health care should not be a luxury. We need systems that work for everyone, offering sliding scales and flexible payment plans that allow those most in need to access care. As I continue my journey to becoming a therapist, I’m committed to being part of the change. Mental health care must be a right, not a privilege.
