How Much Does a Therapist Cost in Illinois?
Takeaway: Therapy is one of the best investments you can make in yourself, but let’s be honest—it can also feel like trying to read a menu with no prices listed. This guide breaks it all down, from the average cost of a session to what your payment options are, so you’re not left guessing.
How Much Does Therapy Cost in Illinois? A Guide to Understanding Costs and Options
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether therapy is worth the cost—or even how much it costs in the first place—you’re not alone. The decision to start therapy often brings up questions around affordability, insurance coverage, and where to even begin looking. For many people, concerns about money can be the biggest barrier to accessing high-quality mental health care.
I’m Elizabeth Bodett Dresser, a licensed therapist and the owner of Still Oak Counseling. I specialize in working with high-functioning adults dealing with anxiety, burnout, and trauma. In my years of experience in the mental health field, I’ve supported countless clients, many of whom started with the same financial questions you might have right now.
This blog post is designed to help you make an informed decision about mental health services by answering key questions about therapy costs in Illinois, insurance coverage, affordable options, and how to find the right therapist for you. Whether you’re just beginning to seek support or looking for clarity about your out-of-pocket costs, you’re in the right place.
How Much Is a Therapy Session in Illinois?
On average, the cost in Illinois is between $80–$300 per session, depending on factors like location, provider experience, and the type of therapy. While urban areas tend to have higher fees, even within the same city, prices can vary widely.
Below is a table showing how much therapy costs based on out-of-pocket rates per session for 25 therapists in each of the following Illinois cities:
| City | Individual | Couples | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $172 | $162 | $70 |
| Rockford | $140 | $150 | $60 |
| Naperville | $168 | $174 | $60 |
| Evanston | $190 | $200 | $80 |
Sessions can add up quickly, especially for those paying privately. But understanding what impacts pricing can help you evaluate your options more clearly.
Are Therapy Sessions Covered by Insurance?
Yes, therapy is covered by health insurance. Many health insurance plans include mental health benefits as part of their standard coverage. However, what’s included depends on your specific insurance provider and plan. If you have health insurance coverage with a higher deductible, you may not meet that deductible with mental health treatment in a calendar year unless you are also billing other services.
I’m an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance companies directly. Instead, clients pay me upfront and submit a superbill to their insurance carrier for possible reimbursement. If you have out-of-network benefits for mental health services, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement depending on your insurance plan and deductible. I also partner with Mentaya to simplify this process.
Working out-of-network offers more privacy, flexibility, and choice. It also means:
We’re not limited by what insurance defines as “medically necessary”
No diagnosis is required on your permanent medical record
We can tailor care to your needs, not session limits
Here’s a quick breakdown of the difference between in-network and out-of-network options:
In-Network: You pay a copay, and your therapist bills your insurance company directly. You’re limited to therapists within your plan’s network.
Out-of-Network: You pay the therapist up front, and your insurance carrier may reimburse a portion of the cost after meeting your deductible.
While working with an in-network provider can be more affordable, going out-of-network gives you greater flexibility in choosing a therapist who’s the best fit—someone who offers specialized treatments or high quality care you might not find within a limited insurance network.
What If I Can’t Afford Therapy?
If the full cost of therapy isn’t an option right now, you still have access to affordable options for mental health care. There are many free therapy resources and lower-cost services designed to support those in financial need.
Affordable Options
Community mental health centers: Offer sliding scale based on income for mental health services.
Sliding scale options: Many therapists offer sliding scale fees for clients with financial need.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Short-term support offered by your employer.
Universities and graduate school clinics: Offer sessions with supervised trainees at reduced rates per session.
Nonprofits that offer no cost therapy: For example, Open Path Collective or The Loveland Foundation.
Group therapy sessions: More affordable per session and still provide meaningful support.
Payment plans: Some therapists are open to flexible payment options for those facing financial challenges while seeking therapy.
Don’t let the cost of therapy stop you from getting help. There are paths to care at nearly every budget. Clients can also use flexible spending accounts to cover the costs of attending therapy.
Why Therapy Costs What It Does
While the cost of therapy sessions can be expensive, the overall costs often reflect the training, time, and individualized care involved. Here are several reasons therapy might cost what it does:
Therapist Experience
Experienced therapists often charge more due to years of practice and a strong track record of client outcomes. Some therapists are clinical psychologists who hold a doctoral degree, further raising the value of their services.
Specialized Training and Services
Therapists who offer specialized treatments (like EMDR, IFS, or somatic therapy) typically charge more due to the additional extensive education and certification required. These services can be especially beneficial for clients dealing with trauma or mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Type of Therapy
Group therapy, couples therapy, and individual sessions all have different fee structures. While group therapy sessions are more cost-effective, they may not meet everyone’s needs.
Length and Frequency of Sessions
How many sessions you attend and how long they last (45 minutes vs. 90 minutes) will impact your therapy expenses. Many people benefit from weekly sessions, while others attend biweekly or monthly.
Private Pay vs. Insurance Billing
Therapists who operate on a self pay or private pay model don’t spend time on insurance billing, allowing more focus on client care—but also often means higher fees. However, this also frees them to provide care without the constraints of insurance policies.
Urban vs. Rural Settings
Therapists in urban areas like Chicago often charge higher fees than those in smaller towns, due to higher overhead costs and demand.
Is Paying for Therapy Worth It?
Mental Health Benefits
Therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of mental health issues. Most people who engage in therapy find it to be beneficial. Internal Family Systems (IFS), in particular, has demonstrated strong outcomes for treating complex mental health concerns. A 2016 pilot study found that IFS significantly reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and overall distress in a non-clinical population (Shadick et al., 2016). The benefits of therapy are more than just emotional, research has found that therapy can be effective in relieving symptoms of physical health issues, such as IBS and fibromyalgia.
Better Relationships
Therapy can help you navigate and improve how you relate to others—whether it’s a partner, family member, friend, or coworker. If you’re facing relationship issues, individual therapy can offer insight into attachment patterns and relational dynamics, while couples therapy can support communication, conflict resolution, and rebuilding trust in a supportive space. As you develop greater self-awareness and emotional regulation, your relationships often become more connected, intentional, and fulfilling.
Greater Self-Understanding & Personal Growth
Therapy helps you uncover the “why” behind your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Using approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), you can get to know the parts of you that developed in response to pain or trauma. In one study of adults with complex PTSD related to childhood trauma, IFS led to significant decreases in PTSD symptoms, showing promise as a healing modality for survivors of chronic trauma (Hodgdon et al., 2021).
Healing Wounded Parts from Trauma
One of the most powerful aspects of therapy—especially through IFS—is the opportunity to gently heal wounded inner parts shaped by past trauma. These parts often carry pain, shame, fear, or beliefs that were formed in moments when we didn’t feel safe, loved, or protected. Rather than trying to suppress or ignore them, IFS helps you approach these parts with compassion, allowing them to unburden and heal. This internal healing can create profound shifts—not just in how you feel day to day, but in how you relate to yourself and the world around you. Many clients describe this work as deeply transformative, leading to greater inner peace, confidence, and freedom.
Increased Resilience and Coping Skills
Therapy doesn’t eliminate life’s stressors, but it helps you respond to them with more clarity and strength. Clients often leave therapy with tools they can use well beyond the therapy room—skills for setting boundaries, regulating their nervous systems, and managing triggers. Over time, these tools build confidence and emotional resilience.
While therapy isn’t a quick fix, it’s a powerful investment in your well-being. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself or others, therapy offers a path forward. The changes might be gradual, but they’re often deep and lasting—and you're worth that kind of care.
How to Choose the Right Therapist for You
We know therapy costs can feel intimidating. But when possible, try not to base your decision on price alone. Choosing the right mental health professional is essential to getting the most out of your therapy experience.
Here are other important factors to consider:
General fit: Do you feel comfortable and seen by the therapist?
Therapist’s experience: Do they have experience with your specific mental health concerns?
Therapeutic approaches: Are they trained in modalities that resonate with you?
Payment plans or sliding scale fees: Do they offer pricing options that make therapy sustainable for you?
Insurance compatibility: Do they accept your insurance provider or offer support with out of network benefits?
The right therapist will support your goals while working within your financial and logistical needs.
Final Thoughts
Navigating therapy costs in Illinois can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From understanding insurance coverage to finding sliding scale fees, there are many ways to access the mental health care you deserve.
Therapy is a powerful step toward healing, resilience, and deeper self-connection. Whether you’re managing burnout, struggling with anxiety, or just feeling stuck, know that support is available. I specialize in helping adults who are outwardly high-functioning but inwardly overwhelmed. If you’ve been putting therapy off—telling yourself it’s “not that bad” or that you should just be able to handle it—it might be time to get support. I use a relational, Internal Family Systems-informed approach to help clients quiet their inner critic, understand the parts of them that are stuck in survival mode, and feel more at home in their lives.
If you’re ready to start your therapy journey, I’d love to connect. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
