Mental Health · 2026-02-10

Mental Health Care Costs: A Global Comparison

Mental health care remains one of the most poorly covered areas of healthcare globally. Even in countries with universal healthcare, mental health services often have long wait times and limited coverage.

Therapy Session Costs

A therapy session in the US averages $200 per hour without insurance. In the UK, private therapy costs around $80-120. In countries like Thailand and India, sessions with English-speaking therapists cost $20-50.

Online Therapy Revolution

The rise of teletherapy has made mental health care more accessible and affordable. Platforms connecting patients with therapists in lower-cost countries offer sessions from $30-60, providing significant savings for those in expensive healthcare markets.

Coverage Gaps

Even in countries with comprehensive public healthcare, mental health coverage is often limited. Canada covers psychiatrist visits but not psychologist sessions. Many European countries limit the number of publicly-funded therapy sessions per year.