Sliding scale/affordable therapy centers in Bay Area (no insurance necessary and/or Medi-Cal):
- Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center A sliding scale therapy clinic in San Francisco, with the option to do online therapy as well.
- The Psychology Clinic at UC Berkeley Offers a variety of services on a sliding scale. 2205 Tolman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA. 510-642-2055
- The Wright Institute From their website: Fees are based on income and family size and range from $25 – $75 per session. We also take Alameda County Medi-Cal with pre-approval through Alameda County Central Services. If you want to use your insurance, you should contact Alameda County ACCESS first to receive approval. You may reach them at (800) 491-9099.
- Axis Mundi Center for Mental Health– focuses on holistic, culturally sensitive psychotherapy for diverse clients. Starts at $30.
- Bay Area Psychology Group: individual therapy, anxiety, depression, couples and family therapy, child and teen therapy. Direct acceptance of Anthem Blue Cross, SHIP, and Medicare.
- Berkeley Therapy Institute: Individual, couples families, and groups, psychiatry medication management. Because we are a non-profit community clinic, fees for services at BTI may be based on a share of cost. This scale is linked to financial need. Payment is expected at the time of service and may be made with a credit card. If you have insurance that covers outpatient psychotherapy, we can, at your request, file a claim with your carrier.
- Pacific Center for Human Growth is a sliding scale (based on income) therapy center for LGBTQ+ individuals, starting at $45 per session.
- Open Path Collective– online database to search for sliding scale therapists
Non emergency peer support and group therapy
- California Warmline is a non-emergency, peer led warmline. You can call and talk about whatever is on your mind, from relationship stress to politics to mental health problems. All employees have lived experience with mental health issues.
- Pacific Center for Human Growth has a number of peer led support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals
- CERI: Oakland-based organization providing support groups and trauma-informed therapy that is culturally relevant to refugees and immigrants (especially Cambodian but also serving Burmese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Tibetan, Rwandan, Eritrean, Afghan, Indonesian, and Iranian).
Online clinics and resources:
**Please contact these places directly to verify details and insurance coverage**
- https://www.foresightmentalhealth.com/ Foresight Mental Health: In-network with many/most insurance providers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Virtual sessions and in-person at select locations.
- https://www.capricorncounselingcenter.com/ Capricorn Counseling Center: Our online counseling services can help adults, college students, families, couples, teens, and children who are experiencing complex emotional and behavioral problems. Currently participates in-network with most insurance carriers in California including: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, First Health, Cencal, Cigna, Optum/United Healthcare, MHN/HealthNet, and Modern Health.
Search for specific therapists:
- psychologytoday.com
- https://therapyforblackmen.org/
- https://www.asianmhc.org/
- https://www.therapyincolor.org/
- inclusive therapists
Psychiatry Clinics serving the Bay Area and surrounding cities (with insurance)
- Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way. Our practice accepts Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Wellfleet (UC Berkeley Student Health), Aetna, Managed Health Network (MHN), and Medicare.
- Ocean Psychiatry provides mental and emotional health care to adults and children in and around Fremont, California including an intensive outpatient program. The experienced medical providers can address various disorders that affect an individual’s quality of life including anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and addictions. We offer psychotherapy and medications, as well as innovative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to stabilize mental health. We also customize long-term care plans for autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Psychiatric Alternatives and Wellness Center is a practice where practitioners and staff collaborate to create a seamless care experience, including support for scheduling, billing, and managing prescriptions. Offices in SF, Berkeley, Oakland, Danville, Marin, and other Bay Area locations, as well as telehealth for California.
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support
988 Lifeline: 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
Call Blackline: Call or text Blackline to 800-604-5841. Crisis peer support for BIPOC, LGBTQ.
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860