Affordable Therapy Resource Guide

Getting affordable help can be confusing.

Let us break it down for you.

Before you begin…

If you are currently experiencing a mental health emergency, please call the Alachua County Crisis Line at 352-264-6789 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Para servicio en español, llame al 1-888-9454. These services are free.

If you are NOT a Gainesville, FL musician or resident, we HIGHLY encourage you to scroll to the bottom of our page to find resources that we have available for you. We have a full list of 24/7 national warmlines, which are phone numbers you can call free of charge any time to talk. These are NOT a substitute for talk therapy, but they can help get you someone to talk to to get you through a bad night on tour or at home.

You should also know…

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Therapy that works for one person may not work for another, and finding the right therapist is a personal and subjective decision. We encourage you to, if you didn’t feel like one therapy option did not work, please continue to try others until you find the one for you.

Therapists who practice in Gainesville are licensed by the state, so if you are a Florida resident and they also offer teletherapy, you should be able to work with any of the therapists listed by name below.

Unless listed as a partner elsewhere on our website, Upbeat GNV is in no way affiliated with the organizations and services listed below. Experiences will vary.

If you find an error, an outdated resource or are on our resource guide or are listed and want to be unlisted for whatever reason, you can email us at help@upbeatgnv.org to report an issue.

Free Individual Counseling

 

These organizations offer no-cost one-on-one mental health treatment for residents of Alachua County.

  • Alachua County Crisis Center

    County-run service that provides a 24/7 crisis hotline for Alachua County residents and offers free short-term individual mental health counseling to walk-ins. Also offers additional services.

    Learn more

  • UF Equal Access Clinic

    University-run community clinic offering free short-term mental health counseling through its Free Therapy Night program. Also offers additional health services.

    Learn more

  • Helping Hands Clinic

    A volunteer medical clinic for the homeless and poor in Gainesville, FL. The clinic provides showers, medical care, support groups, and mental health treatment.

    Learn more

Qualifying Free Counseling

 

The following programs are available to offer mental health treatment to you if you are members of a certain qualifying group.

  • UF Counseling & Wellness Center

    A mental health and wellness center for students at University of Florida. Through the center, students can access support groups, wellness classes, individual therapy and also couples counseling. Students can also learn more about off-campus therapy options through the center.

    Available to UF Students

  • The Gainesville Vet Center

    Mental wellness services provided for free to veterans through the VA hospital. The clinics specialize in treating issues specific to veterans.

    Available to Veterans

  • Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

    A local, government-run victims service center that services Alachua, Bradford and Union Counties. The center provides 24/7 service, emergency response, face-to-face counseling, restraining order assistance and other support to victims of crime.

    Available to Crime Victims

  • Westside Samaritans Clinic

    A religiously affiliated clinic based in Gainesville that runs from 6-8p.m. on the Tuesday of the month, offering basic health care and mental health care. The clinic runs on appointments, and while it charges no fee, it will not accept any patients with existing health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Call to ensure you qualify.

    Available to those who meet federal guidelines

Sliding Scale Counseling Under $20

 

Sliding scale, or income-adjusted payment, means therapists may lower the fee that you pay for services based on your income and ability to pay. These providers are Alachua County providers that offer patients sliding scale payments lower than $20 per session.

  • Meridian Behavioral Healthcare

    Starting at $3 per session

    Nonprofit organization that offers mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. Their sliding scale is as low as $3 per session. They offer a free phone consultation. Also offers additional services, including a 24/7 crisis line.

    Learn more

  • Gainesville Community Counseling Center

    Starting at $20 per session

    Nonprofit organization that offers mental health counseling and family counseling at a negotiable sliding scale rate. Also offers mental health training, seminars and group counseling for students.

    Learn more

  • Archer Family Health Care

    Starting at $10 per session

    University-run clinic in Archer that offers psychiatric and counseling services. Also offers additional services.

    Learn more

  • Catholic Charities Gainesville

    Call 352.374.0294 (ext. 18) for sliding scale information

    This resource is religiously affiliated and may provide faith-based care.

    A Gainesville-based Catholic community outreach program offering mental health counseling on a sliding scale, specializing in marital issues, divorce, loss and recovery.

    Learn more

Private Sliding Scale Therapy Database

Sliding scale, or income-adjusted payment, means therapists may lower the fee that you pay for services based on your income and ability to pay. These providers are unaffiliated private mental health counselors who offer sliding scale. Please call to confirm sliding scale is offered.

  • Kelly Aissen

    Ph.D., LMHC

    Specialties
    Addiction
    Depression
    Relationship issues

    Learn more

  • Arise Wellness GNV

    Private clinic

    Specialties
    Will vary depending on counselor

    Learn more

  • Sarah Atkinson

    Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Depression
    Relationship Issues
    Trauma and PTSD

    Learn more

  • Cheryl A Barry

    MSW

    Specialties
    ADHD
    Trauma and PTSD
    Relationship Issues

    Learn more

  • Susan Armstrong

    Ph.D.

    Specialties
    Children and adolescents
    Relationship issues
    Depression

    Learn More

  • Jenny Banks

    M.Ed., Ed.S., RMHCI

    Specialties
    LGBTQ+
    Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
    Truma & PTSD

    Learn more

  • Mae Beckman

    MSW, RCSWI

    Specialties
    Attachment
    Relationship
    Family Issues

    Learn more

  • Mary Bobowiec

    M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Depression
    Trauma/PTSD

    Learn more

  • Karissa K Boser

    LMHC, MPA, MA

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Life Transition
    Sex Therapy

    Learn more

  • Danielle Clark

    M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Depression
    Grief
    Eating Disorders

    Learn more

  • Lora Coleman

    DNH, LCSW

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Spirituality
    Depression

    Learn more

  • Judah Cordovano

    LCSW

    Specialties
    Depression
    Anxiety
    Coping Skills

    Learn more

  • David Cox

    Ph.D., EdS, MA

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Stress
    Trauma/PTSD

    Learn more

  • Shanti Cruz-Perez

    MSW, RCSWI

    Specialties
    LGBTQIA2S+
    Trauma/C-PTSD
    Anxiety/Depression

    Learn more

  • Paige Dyer

    LMFT

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Self-Esteem
    Relationship Issues

    Learn more

  • Debbi Dykes-Howe

    Ed.S., M.Ed.

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Depression
    Trauma/PTSD

    Learn more

  • David Forest

    MLA, MSW, LCSW

    Specialties
    Depression
    Anxiety
    Self-Esteem

    Click Here

  • Ely Fuentes

    M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Suicidal Ideation
    Self-Harm
    Self-Esteem

    Learn more

  • Joseph Furmeister

    MA

    Specialties
    Anger Management
    Trauma/PTSD
    Self-Esteem

    Learn more

  • Katie Hughes

    LMHC, M.Ed., Ed.S.

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
    Relationship Issues

    Click Here

  • Jessica Kirpala Goldberg

    MSW, LCSW

    Specialties
    Trauma and PTSD
    Women’s Issues
    Domestic Violence
    Life Transitions

    Learn more

  • Marshall Knudson

    Ph.D.

    Specialties
    Relationship Issues
    Coping Skills
    Suicidal Ideation

    Learn more

  • David I Kranson

    LMHC, CAP, MA

    Specialties
    Addiction
    Anxiety
    Anger Management

    Learn more

  • Paul Maxfield

    Ph.D., LMHC, LPC Intern

    Specialties
    Relationship Issues
    Anxiety
    Depression

    Learn more

  • Lori Lynn McGruder

    M.Ed., Ed.S., NCC, LMHC

    Specialties
    Substance Use
    Depression
    Trauma/PTSD

    Learn more

  • Robert Merrell

    Ph.D., MA, MS

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Obsessive compulsive disorder
    Depression

    Learn more

  • Nikki Nelson

    M.Ed./Ed.S.

    Specialties
    Suicidal Ideation
    Depression
    Eating Disorders

    Learn more

  • David E Reed

    MA, LMHC

    Specialties
    Christian Counseling
    Inner Healing Prayer
    Marriage/Family

    Learn more

  • Collin Richards

    M.Ed., Ed.S., RMHCl

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
    Codependency

    Learn more

  • Kim Richmond

    RHMCI, Ed.S., M.Ed.

    Specialties
    Life transitions
    Self-esteem
    Relationship issues

    Learn more

  • M. Leslie Robinson

    MSW

    Specialties
    Mood disorders
    Trauma/PTSD
    Elderly persons disorders

    Learn more

  • Rising Calm Center

    Private Clinic

    Specialties
    Christian Counseling
    Stress/Anxiety
    Relationship Issues

    Learn more

  • Peter L. Rudnytsky

    Ph.D., LCSW

    Specialties
    Relationship Issues
    Trauma/PTSD
    Anxiety

    Learn more

  • Isabelle Springer

    Ph.D.

    Specialties
    Relationship issues
    Depression
    Self-esteem

    Learn More

  • Marina J. Smerling

    MA

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Women’s issues
    Relationship issues

    Learn more

  • Matthew Tansey

    LCMHC, LPC

    Specialties
    Men’s Issues
    Anxiety
    Marital and Premarital

    Learn more

  • Village Counseling Center

    Private clinic

    Specialties
    Will vary depending on counselor

    Learn more

  • Kathryn M Williams

    M.Ed., Ed.S., LMFT

    Specialties
    Stress
    Coping Skills
    Anxiety

    Learn more

  • Bethany Wilcox

    LCSW

    Specialties
    Grief
    Anxiety
    Coping Skills

    Learn more

  • Ashley Ordway

    M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
    Anxiety
    Parenting

    Learn more

  • Jennifer Weitzel

    Ph.D.

    Specialties
    Anxiety
    Relationship Issues
    Stress

    Learn more

  • Jessica Williams

    LMHC

    Specialties
    Relationship Issues
    Domestic Violence
    Trauma & PTSD

    Learn more

  • Lisa Wolcott

    MSW, LCSW, CGP, CDWF

    Specialties
    Relationship Issues
    Depression
    Self-Esteem

    Learn more

  • Kate Wrench

    M.Eds., Ed.S., LMHC

    Specialties
    Suicidal Ideation
    Trauma/PTSD
    Addiction

    Learn more

  • Xiaomin Zhang

    Graduate Intern

    Specialties
    Trauma/PTSD
    Depression
    Anxiety

    Learn more

Local Support and Crisis Lines

The following are local telecounseling options that you can call whenever you’re in a time of need. Note: Warmlines may not be answered right away. Most warmlines request you leave a message.

  • NAMI Gainesville Warmline

    The Gainesville chapter of NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Offers a warmline that provides individual counseling over the phone. Also offers additional services.

    Call now

  • Alachua County Crisis Line

    County-run service that provides a 24/7 crisis hotline for Alachua County residents. Despite being called a Crisis Line, this number can be called for emotional support in non-emergencies.

    Call now

  • Alachua County Sexual Assault Helpline

    County-run, 24/7 hotline specifically for sexual assault survivors.

    Call now

  • Meridian Helpline

    Nonprofit organization that offers mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. Also offers additional services, including this 24/7 crisis line.

    Call now

Local Group Therapy

 

The following are options for people to obtain counseling in a group setting with peers. These groups may be free or may charge a fee. We have limited inclusion to groups that are $40 per session or under. Call to confirm per-session prices. Use the arrow to scroll the available options.

  • NAMI Gainesville

    The Gainesville chapter of NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Offers two groups, the Connection group, for those suffering from mental illness, as well as the Family Support group for those with family members suffering from mental illness.

    Learn more

  • Alachua County Crisis Center

    County-run service that provides a 24/7 crisis hotline for Alachua County residents and offers free short-term individual mental health counseling to walk-ins. Its group program is its Survivors of Suicide support group.

    Call now

  • Meridian Behavioral Health

    Nonprofit organization that offers mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. They offer a free phone consultation. Also offers additional services, including a 24/7 crisis line. Group therapy options are available.

    Call now

  • Trauma Support Group

    A weekly meeting offered at LiveWell Gainesville offering a focus on recovering from traumatic experiences.

    This group is limited to women only.

    Learn more

  • Gainesville Nonviolent Communication

    A monthly group offered by The Healing Collective focused on teaching conflict resolution and communication skills for personal and professional relationships.

    Learn more

  • Anxiety Support Group

    A group focused on using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to assist those who suffer from anxiety symptoms.

    This group is Telehealth only.

    Click Here

  • Women Supporting Women

    Women Supporting Women is a woman-focused support group focused on self-esteem, trauma and women’s issues. It is hosted by therapist Kris Arana and runs weekly.

    This group is only for women, and is recommended for early birds: It meets at 5:30a.m.

    Learn more

  • Mind-Body Interventions for Greater Wellness

    A group hosted by Gainesville Community Counseling Center. It teaches the relationship between physical and mental health and includes guided stretching and breathing exercises.

    This group meets seasonally.

    Learn more

  • Stress Management & Anxiety Support Group

    A group hosted every week by the Rising Calm Center that focuses on processing stress and anxiety in a safe, group format designed to fight feelings of isolation.

    Learn more

  • Food, Mood, and Move Group

    A group hosted by the Alachua Adult Child & Family Guidance Center. Focuses on a class-like approach to weight management, nutritional awareness, exercise, and movement.

    Learn more

  • Identity and Life Transition Group

    A group hosted by Alachua Adult Child & Family Guidance Center focused on making life transitions and working on issues of identity or identity crisis.

    Learn more

  • Eating Disorders Group

    A group hosted by Alachua Adult Child & Family Guidance Center focusing on eating disorders.

    Learn more

  • Connecting with Others and Ourselves

    A weekly group hosted at Gainesville Community Counseling Center focused on personal development. Recommended for those struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and confidence.

    Learn more

Resources for Anyone, Anywhere

The following are resources available to anyone, regardless of location. All state hotlines/warmlines included are free, available to anyone in the country and can be called 24/7. If they are not 24/7 lines or available to those out-of-state, they have been omitted. Use the drop down menu below to find resources that fit your needs! Touring? Try our 24/7 Warmline and Crisis Center Database. These are perfect for those late nights when you need someone to talk to for support. Therapy apps, included below, may also be an alternative to in-personal, local talk therapy. The monthly cost can sometimes be cheaper, depending on what your needs are, than weekly sessions, and can offer benefits like texting with your therapist.

  • Grow Therapy

    Online platform that connects you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance. Provides personalized matching and diverse therapy options tailored to your needs.

    Website

  • Addiction Help

    An educational guide to addiction, recovery, and public resources. Founded by a recovering addict, an addict's spouse, and a board-certified addiction doctor.

    Website

  • Talkspace

    A well-rated and reputable online alternative to talk therapy. Depending on your needs, can be a cheaper alternative to weekly sessions.

    Website

  • BetterHelp

    A well-rated and reputable online alternative to talk therapy. Depending on your needs, can be a cheaper alternative to weekly sessions.

    Website