You’ve thought about therapy before. Maybe you even tried it once — scheduled the appointment, showed up, and then saw the bill. Or maybe you looked up rates online, saw $150–$200 per session, and quietly closed the tab. You told yourself you’d figure it out later. But later never came, and the stress, the anxiety, the relationship tension — it all stayed.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Cost is the number one reason people delay or abandon mental health care. And here’s what’s frustrating: the system wasn’t designed with you in mind. But at McCullough Family Therapy, we believe that your zip code, your income, or your insurance card shouldn’t determine whether you get to feel better.
Why Therapy Felt Out of Reach Before
The traditional therapy model is straightforward — and expensive. A private-pay therapist in the Denver metro area typically charges $150 to $250 per session. At weekly sessions, that’s $600–$1,000 per month. Even people with insurance often discover their plan has a high deductible, limited mental health visits, or out-of-network complications that leave them paying far more than expected.
You may have started therapy and then had to stop when finances got tight. Or you’ve been on a waitlist for months only to find out the provider doesn’t take your insurance. These aren’t personal failures — they’re systemic gaps. And they leave real people suffering longer than they should.
What We Do Differently: Sliding Scale Fees That Actually Slide
At McCullough Family Therapy, we offer sliding scale fees based on your household income and financial need. That means your session cost is adjusted to reflect what you can realistically afford — not a one-size-fits-all rate.
Sliding scale isn’t a charity model. It’s a commitment to equity. It means a teacher, a single parent, a small business owner going through a hard season, or a young adult just starting out can access the same quality of care as anyone else. We have honest conversations about what’s sustainable for you so that therapy doesn’t become another source of financial stress.
We Are a Medicaid Provider
Many therapy practices in Colorado don’t accept Medicaid — and if you rely on it, finding quality mental health care can feel nearly impossible. McCullough Family Therapy is proud to be a Medicaid provider, accepting Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) for individual, couples, and family therapy services.
This matters because Medicaid members deserve access to skilled, trauma-informed, evidence-based care — not just whatever provider happens to have a spot. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, or life transitions, your Medicaid coverage is welcome here.
What to Expect When You Start
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve had experiences in the past where cost created barriers mid-treatment. Here’s what you can expect with us:
A transparent intake process. Before your first session, we discuss fees, insurance, and financial options openly — no surprises on your statement.
A real match with a therapist. We take time to pair you with someone whose training and approach fits your specific situation, whether that’s individual anxiety, family conflict, or life transitions.
Flexibility as your life changes. If your financial situation shifts during treatment, we’ll work with you. Therapy should grow with you, not become a reason to drop out.
The Cost of Not Going
It’s worth naming something most people don’t say out loud: avoiding therapy because of cost doesn’t save money. Untreated anxiety leads to missed work. Relationship conflict that festers leads to divorce proceedings far more expensive than counseling. Depression left unaddressed affects parenting, career, physical health. The math isn’t just emotional — it’s real.
Investing in therapy, even at a modest sliding scale rate, is investing in the stability and health of your entire life.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You don’t have to figure out the financial piece alone. Call us at 303-551-9214 or visit www.mcculloughfamilytherapy.com to learn more about our sliding scale options and Medicaid services. We’ll meet you where you are — financially and emotionally — and help you build from there.
McCullough Family Therapy | 3900 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 435, Lakewood, CO 80235
