Therapy in Washington DC typically costs between $220 and $290 per session. According to Fair Health Consumer, the usual and customary rate for a 45-minute session (CPT 90834) is $259 as of 2025. This is higher than the national average of roughly $140 per session—DC ranks among the most expensive cities for mental health services in the country.

The cost of therapy depends on several factors:

• Therapist credentials: Doctoral-level psychologists (PhD, PsyD) typically charge more than master’s-level licensed therapists (LICSW, LPC).
• Specialization: Therapists with advanced training in approaches like EFT, EMDR or Dialectical Behavior Therapy may charge higher fees.
• Session type: Couples therapy often costs more—around $300 per session in DC—because of the specialized training of the therapist and sessions typically run longer.

At Therapy Group of DC, our rates fall within this range, depending on the therapist’s experience and credentials. You will know the session rate before your first appointment. We also offer lower-cost options through the Capital Therapy Project for clients who need more affordable therapy.

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, all ACA-compliant health insurance plans must cover mental health services as essential health benefits. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act also requires insurance companies to cover mental health treatment the same way they cover medical care—same copays, same deductibles, same access.

However, coverage for therapy varies significantly depending on your insurance plan, your insurance provider, and whether your therapist is in-network or out-of-network.

If your therapist is in-network: Your insurance company has a contract with the provider. You’ll typically pay a copay of $20-$50 per session, and your insurance covers the rest. Out-of-pocket costs are lowest with in-network providers. In-network therapists are rare in DC.

If your therapist is out-of-network: You pay the full session fee upfront, then submit a claim to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. Most insurance plans in DC reimburse 50-80% of the session cost after you meet your out-of-network deductible.

About 70% of therapists in Washington DC are out-of-network providers. This is common because many mental health professionals prefer not to have insurance companies dictate their treatment plans. The trade-off: you have more choice in therapists, but higher upfront costs.

To find out what your insurance plan covers, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
• What is my out-of-network deductible?
• What percentage does my plan reimburse for out-of-network therapy?
• Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?

In-network therapists have contracts with your insurance company. Your insurance plan has pre-negotiated rates with these providers, so your out-of-pocket costs are lower—usually just a copay of $20-$50 per session. The downside: fewer therapists to choose from, and insurance companies may limit how many therapy sessions are covered or require a mental health diagnosis for coverage.

Out-of-network therapists don’t have contracts with insurance companies. You pay the full fee at the time of your session, then file a claim with your insurance provider for partial reimbursement. Most plans reimburse 50-80% after you’ve met your deductible. The upside: more choice, no session limits, and your therapist makes treatment decisions—not your insurance company.

At Therapy Group of DC, we’re an out-of-network practice. We know insurance paperwork is tedious, so we handle the claims process for you—submitting your sessions electronically to your insurance company so you get reimbursed without the hassle.

Not sure what your plan covers? Call your insurance company directly to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

Yes. Most insurance plans cover online therapy the same way they cover in-person sessions, as long as the therapist is a licensed mental health professional. This includes coverage through employer-sponsored health insurance, individual insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.

The same in-network vs. out-of-network rules apply. If your online therapist is in-network with your insurance plan, you’ll pay a copay. If they’re out-of-network, you’ll pay upfront and file for reimbursement.

At Therapy Group of DC, we offer online therapy throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia (plus most other states). Our therapists are licensed to provide telehealth services, and we submit insurance claims on your behalf for out-of-network reimbursement.

If you don’t have insurance—or your insurance doesn’t cover therapy—several options exist:

Self-pay rates: You pay the full session fee out of pocket. At Therapy Group of DC, self-pay rates range from $220-$290 per session, depending on the therapist.

Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA): If you have an HSA or FSA through your employer, you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for therapy. This effectively reduces your therapy costs by your tax rate—often 20-30%.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Many employers offer EAPs that include a limited number of free therapy sessions—typically 3-6 sessions at no cost. Check with your HR department to see if your employer offers this benefit.

Sliding scale fees: Some therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income, charging lower rates for clients who can’t afford full-price sessions. Sliding scale availability is often limited.

Low-cost clinics: Community mental health clinics, university training clinics (like George Washington University’s community clinic), and nonprofit organizations offer therapy at reduced rates. The DC Department of Behavioral Health Access Helpline (1-888-793-4357) can connect you with publicly-funded mental health services.

Lower-cost practice options: At Therapy Group of DC, we offer the Capital Therapy Project—a lower-fee option with psychologists in training who charge substantially reduced rates while maintaining the same quality of care.

In Washington DC, $200 per session is actually on the lower end. The cost of therapy in DC is approximately $260 per session, with many experienced therapists charging between $275 and $290.

Nationally, $200 is above average—the U.S. average is roughly $140 per session. But DC has a high cost of living, and therapy costs reflect that.

Whether $200 feels like “a lot” depends on your budget, your insurance coverage, and how you’re paying. If you have out-of-network benefits, your insurance may reimburse 50-80% of that cost. If you’re using an HSA or FSA, you’re paying with pre-tax dollars. And if cost is a barrier, sliding scale options and community mental health clinics offer sessions at lower rates.

The better question: is therapy worth the investment? For most people dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or life transitions, the answer is yes—especially when mental health issues left untreated tend to get worse, not better.

Therapy Group of DC has provided mental health care in Washington DC, since 2003—one of the longest-established private therapy practices in the DC area. Our team includes doctoral-level psychologists (PhD, PsyD) and master’s-level licensed therapists (LPC) with extensive experience in evidence-based treatments.

Our therapists have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, HuffPost, Business Insider, and Oprah Daily as experts on mental health topics. We’re known for thoughtful matching—pairing new clients with therapists based on clinical expertise, therapeutic style fit, and scheduling needs.

We’re an out-of-network practice, which means your therapist makes treatment decisions—not your insurance company. And we handle the insurance paperwork for you, submitting claims electronically so you can focus on therapy.

Our office is in downtown DC near the Dupont Circle Metro station (south entrance)—easily accessible by public transit from anywhere in the greater Washington area. We provide a beautiful, comfortable, and confidential space for in-person therapy sessions.

We also offer online therapy services throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and most other states. The same therapists, same quality of care—from wherever you’re most comfortable.

We offer a full range of therapy services for individuals, couples, and families in Washington DC.

Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety • Depression • Trauma & PTSD • Grief & Loss • Life Transitions • Relationship Issues

Therapy Services: Individual Therapy • Couples & Marriage Counseling • Group Therapy • Online Therapy • Career Counseling

Specialized Support: Young Adults • LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy •  Therapy for Professionals

Our therapists use evidence-based approaches, including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples,  Trauma-Informed Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, EMDR, and —tailored to your specific mental health needs.

Getting started is simple:

1. Tell us what you’re looking for — Use our matching tool (the Make Appointment Button on any page) to share your concerns, preferences, and availability.
2. Get matched — We’ll recommend a therapist whose expertise and style fit your needs.
3. Book your first session — Most new clients find immediate availability and schedule within a week.

Questions before you book? Call our office or contact us.

Yes. We know therapy in Washington DC is expensive, and we’ve built options to make mental health care more accessible:

Capital Therapy Project — A lower-fee part of our practice with psychologist-in-training therapists who charge substantially reduced rates while maintaining the same quality of care.

Insurance Reimbursement — We’re out-of-network, but most clients with out-of-network benefits get reimbursed 50-80% of session costs. We submit claims for you.

HSA/FSA — We accept Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account payments, so you can use pre-tax dollars for therapy.