Low-Cost and Sliding Scale Therapy in Houston
Last reviewed: October 2026
Therapy can be expensive, but cost shouldn't decide whether you get help. Houston has more affordable options than most people realize: university training clinics, nonprofit and faith-based counseling centers, the county's public mental health system, and private practices that offer lower rates with supervised interns.
Below are the main options, grouped by type. Fees change often, so always confirm current rates when you call.
How we chose: providers in the Houston area whose own website describes a sliding scale, reduced fees, intern rates or free services, and that look active. No paid placements. Details come from each provider's website as of October 2026.
University training clinics
Supervised graduate students provide therapy at reduced cost. Quality is usually good because every case is reviewed by faculty.
University of Houston Psychology Research and Services Center
UH campus
Therapy, a couples therapy center, anxiety and sleep clinics, and child and teen assessment. All services are on a sliding scale.
UH Clear Lake Psychological Services Clinic
Clear Lake
CBT, ACT, parent training, and ADHD, autism and learning evaluations for children, teens and adults. Sliding scale based on income and family size.
OLLU Houston Relationship Clinic
North Houston (Sam Houston Pkwy)
Couples and family therapy on a sliding scale. In person and online in Texas.
University of St. Thomas Clinical Training Center
Montrose
Low-cost community counseling with supervised counseling trainees. In person and telehealth. Call for current fees.
Sam Houston State University Community Counseling Clinic
Conroe / The Woodlands area
Individual, couples, family, teen, group and play therapy with supervised counselors-in-training. Hours vary by semester. Call to ask about cost.
Nonprofit and public options
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
Clinics across Harris County
The county's public mental health provider: counseling, medication and crisis services for all ages. Says it doesn't deny services based on inability to pay, with a sliding scale by income. 24/7 line: 713-970-7000.
Catholic Charities Counseling and Behavioral Health Clinic
Midtown (Louisiana St), Stafford
Individual, family and couples counseling and play therapy, with Spanish available. Open to any religion. Sliding scale by income, some grant-funded no-cost care, and takes Aetna, BCBS Texas, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare/Optum. Doesn't take Medicaid or Medicare.
The Montrose Center
Montrose
Individual, couples, family and group counseling, with LGBTQ+ and HIV support. Accepts most insurance including Medicare and Medicaid, with sliding-scale sessions through supervised interns.
Legacy Community Health
Montrose, Third Ward, Alief, Baytown and more
Behavioral health within primary care. Sliding fee scale for those who qualify. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and many insurers.
Private practices with reduced-fee options
Several practices in our other guides offer lower-cost sessions with supervised associates or interns, or limited sliding-scale spots:
- Healing Pathways of Houston (Memorial, Upper Kirby): low-cost intern sessions, and takes Molina, BCBS and other insurers
- Katy Counseling (Katy): low-cost graduate intern sessions for children
- Restoring Hope Counseling (Champions, Montrose, Cypress): reduced-fee slots with interns and associates
- OCD and Anxiety of The Woodlands (The Woodlands): limited sliding-scale slots
- Neema Counseling (Spring Branch): reduced fee based on household size and income
- Destination Therapy (Upper Kirby): lower-cost sessions with a supervised intern
For survivors of domestic or sexual violence, the Houston Area Women's Center offers free counseling.
Tips for finding affordable therapy
- Ask about interns and associates. Supervised clinicians often cost a lot less.
- Ask every practice if they have a sliding scale. Many do but don't advertise it.
- Check your insurance's out-of-network benefits. A self-pay therapist might cost less than you think after reimbursement.
- Look into your employer's EAP. Many jobs offer a few free sessions through an Employee Assistance Program.
FAQ
The Harris Center doesn't deny services based on ability to pay, Catholic Charities has some grant-funded no-cost care, and the Houston Area Women's Center offers free counseling for survivors.
It means the fee changes based on your income and household size. You'll usually be asked for proof of income.
Yes. They're in advanced graduate training and every case is supervised by a licensed professional.
Call or text 988, or call The Harris Center's 24/7 line at 713-970-7000. In an emergency, call 911.
