How to Find Free or Low-Cost PTSD Treatment

Cost is a major obstacle to treatment for many people who need mental healthcare. In 2022, 7.6 million American adults reported that, in the past year, they needed mental health services but were unable to access them. Nearly 59% of these people said they thought treatment would cost too much.

One mental health condition some people struggle to get treatment for is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An estimated 5% of Americans, or 13 million based on the latest data, are living with PTSD in a given year. Veterans and active-duty members of the military whose condition is connected to their service can get care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But others with the disorder, even those with health insurance, often face high out-of-pocket costs for their therapy and medication. 

“The VA has worked very hard to increase access to PTSD treatment for our veterans,” Debra Kaysen, PhD, ABPP, who is the past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, told GoodRx Health. “However, in the civilian world, there are far fewer resources and many may not be so easy to access.”

This article explains what PTSD is, and covers the various inexpensive tools and services available to help people living with PTSD. There are also suggestions about ways to find additional resources.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a reaction to experiencing a traumatic event, such as a serious accident, natural disaster, war, sexual assault, or abuse. Sometimes, PTSD occurs after a person experiences an indirect trauma, such as witnessing violence or working as a first responder. The condition can impact a person’s mental and physical health.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Nightmares

• Flashbacks

• Insomnia

• Loss of interest in your favorite activities

• Intrusive thoughts

As mentioned, stressful events can trigger PTSD. This is especially true of situations in which you feel your life is in danger, such as:

• Sexual trauma or domestic violence

• Mass conflict or displacement

• Exposure to a war zone, military combat, or community violence

• A traumatic injury, such as a motor vehicle accident

• Medical trauma like a heart attack or stroke

• Trauma in childhood, such as physical or sexual abuse

• Time as a first responder or healthcare professional 

What are some low-cost treatment options for PTSD?

Treatment for PTSD generally consists of mental health therapy, medication, or both. (The VA provides a treatment comparison chart that shows how each form of treatment works.) Although cost is a common barrier to accessing mental healthcare, there are some low-cost or free treatment options for PTSD. 

To find them, “be active in your communities and ask for help. Seek out people who live around you to ask for resources, and also search online for organizations and nonprofits,”Davia Roberts, LPC, a Washington, D.C., counselor who has worked with people dealing with PTSD, told GoodRx Health.

Here are seven places to look for free or low-cost PTSD treatment. 

1. Therapists with sliding-scale fees 

Some therapists are willing to lower the rate for their services based on income or need. The Open Path Psychotherapy Collective maintains a national directory of therapists who do this. Whether you find a therapist through Open Path or elsewhere, you’ll likely have to pay sliding-scale fees out of pocket. 

“Ask how much treatment is going to cost, not per session but by how many sessions they estimate [you’ll] need,” Kaysen recommended. 

2. Local colleges and universities 

You may be able to find a nearby college that has a clinic that’s open to the general public. Supervised master’s-level and doctoral students who are pursuing degrees in counseling sometimes provide services at these types of clinics for as little as $5 per session. 

3. Nonprofit clinics

An online search using phrases like “community mental health centers” may lead you to nonprofit clinics in your area. Many of these facilities provide therapy along with supportive health and wellness services, such as therapeutic yoga.

4. Community organizations

Reach out to community organizations like the YWCA or YMCA to see if they offer therapy or support groups. You can find local, community-based organizations through FindTreatment.gov or the website of your local behavioral health department. 

Roberts recommends not getting discouraged if a group at one organization has a waitlist. “Ask for a referral for another organization,” he said. 

5. Affordable therapy or medication management websites and apps

Sites like Talkspace, BetterHelp, and Thriveworks connect you with therapists who may offer sessions at below-market prices. In some cases, they can also provide prescriptions. Not all of the therapists affiliated with these sites accept insurance, so be sure to ask about payment options up front. 

To find more sites and apps that offer these services, use search terms such as “affordable PTSD therapy,” plus specific words that describe your needs and preferences. 

6. Employee assistance programs 

These employer-sponsored programs exist specifically to help employees resolve personal problems, including mental health issues. Check with your HR department or consult your benefits documentation to see if your employer offers one of these programs.

7. VA programs

The VA offers abundant resources to vets and their families to support their road to recovery. All VA medical centers and, some VA clinics, treat PTSD. Community-based Vet Centers also offer free counseling and other services to vets and their families. 

Is PTSD treatment covered by insurance?

Insurance plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act are required to include certain basic mental health benefits. Most private health insurance plans also offer mental health benefits. According to Kaysen, most private plans typically cover PTSD treatments like medications and psychotherapy. 

For information about your plan’s coverage, review the policy’s summary of benefits or contact your health insurer directly to answer key questions, such as: 

• Do I have a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan?

• Will I need a referral for psychotherapy?

• What is my copay for PTSD treatment?

• Does the cost of treatment apply to my deductible?

• Are prior authorizations required for medications?

• Are there annual limits on the number of covered psychotherapy visits?

Also, keep in mind that getting coverage for PTSD treatment will likely require a formal diagnosis that becomes part of your insurance record. “Most insurance providers are going to expect a diagnosis in order for them to continue providing coverage,” Roberts said.

What are some low-cost PTSD support resources that are available online?

Sharing your concerns with an online support group and using an app to help you manage symptoms are daily actions that can help you get through rough patches. Here are some convenient online options to consider.

Online support groups 

Online groups enable people to conveniently connect and share experiences of trauma, so they can strengthen their coping skills. You can search for online PTSD support groups through the following organizations: 

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers free programs, virtual support groups, and educational resources for individuals and families of people living with PTSD. 

• The CPTSD Foundation provides daily and ongoing support through private virtual groups, which can be accessed online at a nominal cost.

• The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) has a directory of free, online peer-to-peer groups for people with anxiety-related disorders.

• Mental Health America provides resources to connect individuals with mental health conditions with online and in-person support.

Mobile apps 

While not a replacement for professional treatment, apps can be helpful tools to accompany talk therapy or manage PTSD symptoms. According to the National Center for PTSD, some apps are useful as treatment “companions,” while others emphasize self-help strategies for those living with PTSD. Studies continue to examine these types of apps’ effectiveness as stand-alone interventions for PTSD.

Here are some free apps to consider:

• PTSD Coach offers self-care tools and information about professional treatment. 

• STAIR Coach provides skill-building to help you manage emotions related to and relationships that can be affected by PTSD.

• ACT Coach aims to help improve coping skills through mind-body exercises, education about acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and assessment tools on value systems.

• Mindfulness Coach focuses on mindfulness exercises to reduce stress, improve mental health, and cope with emotional and physical pain related to trauma.

• PTSD Family Coach provides tools and information to support family members of individuals living with PTSD.

How to find PTSD treatment options near you

If you are in experiencing PTSD, here is one way to find nearby treatment options:

• Go to www.findtreatment.gov.

• Scroll down to “Find a Treatment Facility.”

• Type in your address, a facility name, or other search criteria.

• Click the search button for results.

• Narrow search results by state, county, or distance.

• Review the listings of mental health or other types of facilities.

• Filter results by therapy type, service setting, and other needs.

You can then contact the clinics, health centers, or treatment facilities directly. Or click “More info” for details about services, therapies, and payment or types of insurance accepted.

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Written by:

Arnesa A. Howell

Arnesa A. Howell is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and content creator based in Washington, D.C., writing for national magazines and online outlets about health, social justice, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and culture, and more. A graduate of Howard University, Arnesa has served as board member and scholarship committee chair for the Journalism & Women Symposium, an advocacy organization for women journalists.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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