Cost?

[Xakkun]

My biggest fear about seeing a therapist is cost. To be blunt, I'm very poor. I don't know where to do the research, so I was just wondering, what's the general cost of therapy? If it's a factor, the Knoxville, TN area is probably where I would go, although by the time I can get the money I may be living elsewhere, most likely around Atlanta, GA.

[V M]

You might look at online therapists... I've seen www.gendertherapist.com mentioned and I think there might be a couple of other sites

[Xakkun]

Thanks! I will when I get the chance. I'm forced to have very little time online, when I can even get on.

[Aidan_]

Two different figures I have from experience are: $250 1st visit, $175 each visit after; and $200 first visit, $150 each after.

The first was a Therapist in his own private practice with his own office. The second was a therapist sharing an office and business with multiple therapists. Therapists connected to hospitals may cost even less.

[Xakkun]

Haha yeah, that's what I thought the general costs would be. I'm sure it'll be worth the cost, once I actually get to spend that much money. Thanks for the help, greatly appreciated.

[V M]

Online costs tend to be quite a bit less... Just schedule your appt.s for when you can be online

[meh]

I paid $35 each session, but I did online therapy through http://www.brandnewdaycounseling.com/

[Miss_Anthropic]

The first therapist I had was part of the mental health dept. at a local Hospital, she was $90 for a 50min (I think) hour. She was really friendly and would give me a discount whenever she could, even had a few free sessions. She eventually ended up moving to a private practice and I'm pretty sure her rates stayed the same but they may have gone up $15 or something.

The guy I see now has his own practice and thankfully has a name your own price (sounds cheesy, I know) sliding scale between $40-$90. I usually pay $50 or $60 for an hour long session and he's totally cool with that.

Call around, they are usually pretty willing to give you prices, but remember it's always worth it to find someone who has some experience with transgender issues as a surprising amount don't. I had been seeing someone a while back for some anxiety issues but as soon as the trans stuff came up, she told told me she couldn't really help and I was dropped as a client. 

~Sara

[ClaireA]

(First post!) Depending on your age, there may be an STD/gender issues clinic in your area. I originally found a therapist that specifically treats young people at a rate of one-hour's-pay (i.e. you make $15 an hour, you pay $15 a visit). Her practice was full, however, and she referred me to a youth gender clinic. While they deal mainly with birth control and STD prevention for at-risk youth up to 22 years of age, they also have counseling services, and one that deals specifically with transpeople. With a sliding fee scale, I'm getting therapy sessions with a great psychologist for $10 a visit - I guess there are benefits to being a poor college student!