Your ability to afford counseling should never be a barrier to getting help. There are several counseling agencies and organizations providing low cost counseling services in Atlanta, GA, and surrounding areas. Typically at these organizations, newer therapists are finishing their training, and these therapists provide the low fee counseling services.
Usually, you will need to show proof of income, such as a W2 or a tax return, to be eligible for services. If you are interested in low-cost counseling, I encourage you to consider calling any of the following organizations for more information:
Open Path Collective:
A nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing in-office mental health care—at a steeply reduced rate—to individuals, couples, children, and families in need.
Emory University Outpatient Psychotherapy Training Program:
A Department of Psychiatry training program for new psychiatrists, providing evaluations and individual, couples and group therapy, as well as medication management, on a sliding fee scale; 404-727-0399.
Emory University Psychological Center:
A Psychology Department therapy training center providing individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy on a sliding fee sale. They also provide a variety of lower cost psychological testing, including IQ, learning disability, attention deficit disorder and neuropsychological assessment services; 404-727-7451.
Georgia State University Psychology Clinic:
A Georgia State Department of Psychology training center for new therapists providing individual, couples, family, group psychotherapy, and psychological testing on a sliding fee scale; 404-413-6229. For example, The clinic offers two Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills groups for adults, one for persons from the Atlanta community and one for active GSU students.
Mercer Family Therapy Center:
A Mercer University training clinic for new therapists, providing couple and family therapy; located at Piedmont Hospital, near Buckhead; 678-547-6789.
Care and Counseling Center of Georgia:
A nonprofit, ecumenical organization offering low cost counseling, pastoral care and education to individuals, couples, and families. They have several counselors in training. Located in Decatur, GA; 404-636-1457.
Heartwork Counseling Center:
A therapy training center providing some low fee counseling through their “Project Open Heart” program. Located in Inman Park, near the Marta station; 404-658-1222.
Jewish Family & Career Services:
An organization that provides health, career and human services, including low fee counseling services, serving people of all faiths. They have several locations and counselors in training; 770-677-9305.
The Link Counseling Center:
A nonprofit community counseling center located in Sandy Springs, 404-256-9797, and Cobb County, 770-541-1114.
Karuna Counseling:
Located off Clairmont Road just north of the Emory campus; 404-321-4307.
The Training & Counseling Center at St. Luke’s (TACC):
An outreach of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church serving people of all faiths, providing sliding fee scale. Located in downtown Atlanta just south of Crawford Long Hospital off of Courtland Street; 404-876-6266.
Georgia Community Mental Health Service Boards:
The publicly funded adult and youth community-based mental health service system in Georgia, for the treatment of mental health and addiction; 404-657-2136.