Where to Find Free and Low-Cost Therapy in Austin, TX
Therapy Doesn’t Have to Be Out of Reach
If you’ve been putting off therapy because of the cost, you're not alone—and you're definitely not out of options. Austin is an incredible city, but let’s be honest: the cost of living isn’t what it used to be. Between skyrocketing rent, packed schedules, and long commutes, mental health care can feel like a luxury.
But here’s the thing: affordable therapy is out there, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re looking for something totally free or just need a low-cost way to talk to someone, this post will walk you through what’s available in Austin and how to make therapy work for your life.
Free Therapy Resources in Austin
Yes, completely free therapy exists—especially if you know where to look. Here are a few great starting points:
Integral Care
This is Austin’s local mental health authority, offering free and low-cost counseling for Travis County residents. If you don’t have insurance or you meet certain income guidelines, you may qualify for free individual and group support.
integralcare.orgUT Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center
If you're a student at UT, you can access free individual therapy, workshops, and crisis services.Training Clinics & Nonprofits
Local orgs like Capital Area Counseling and The Austin Center for Grief & Loss offer low-cost sessions with graduate-level interns (under supervision). It’s a great way to receive high-quality care at a fraction of the typical cost.
How Austinites Are Getting Creative About Mental Health Care
In true Austin spirit, people are getting innovative when it comes to support. If traditional therapy doesn’t feel doable right now, here are a few community-based alternatives that many locals are turning to:
Mutual Aid Groups & Peer Circles: From Instagram communities to in-person meetups, Austinites are organizing mental health support outside of clinical settings—especially for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent communities.
Virtual Wellness Communities: Apps and online spaces like Mindful Austin or Evenbrite wellness events offer donation-based breathwork, somatic healing, and journaling sessions.
Sliding-Scale Coaching & Somatic Support: Some wellness practitioners and spiritual counselors (non-licensed) offer affordable rates, especially for first-time clients or those facing financial strain.
Creative Circles: Art therapy meetups, poetry circles, or writing-for-healing groups pop up all over the city. These aren’t therapy in the traditional sense—but they’re powerful tools for connection and emotional processing.
Why Online Therapy Might Be the Easiest (and Most Affordable) Option
For many people, online therapy just makes more sense—especially if you’re juggling a full schedule, don't drive, or live outside central Austin. Here’s why it might actually save you money:
No traffic or transportation costs
Easier to squeeze into your lunch break or evening
More choices—since you can work with any therapist licensed in Texas
Less need to take time off work or arrange childcare
At the end of the day, the goal is to get support in a way that works for your life—and online therapy often makes that more doable.
What Is Sliding Scale Therapy?
When a therapist offers “sliding scale” rates, it means their fee is flexible based on your income. You might pay $50, $90, or something in between—depending on your financial situation. It’s not quite free, but it makes therapy sustainable for a lot of folks.
Some therapists also offer bi-weekly sessions as a budget-friendly option, so you still get the consistency of therapy, just at a gentler pace.
Low-Cost Therapy at Sagebrush Counseling
At Sagebrush Counseling, we offer low-cost and sliding scale therapy for individuals and couples across Texas. Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship struggles, ADHD, or burnout, we’re here to support you in a way that feels safe, warm, and accessible.
We have limited sliding scale spots available, and also offer bi-weekly sessions for those on a budget. All appointments are virtual, which means no commuting, no parking headaches—and yes, we offer evenings and weekends too. Reach out today to see if we have a low-cost spot open. We’d love to connect.
You Deserve Counseling Support
Needing affordable therapy doesn’t mean you’re asking for too much. It means you care about your well-being, and you’re doing your best with the resources you have. Whether it’s a peer group, a nonprofit clinic, or a sliding-scale therapist, you deserve support that fits your life and your budget.
And if you’re not sure where to start? We’re just a message away.
