I am proud to announce that I am now a clinician with Open Path Psychotherapy Collective! This movement, started by Asheville’s own Paul Fugelsang, MA, LPC, is designed to help individuals who are seeking psychotherapeutic services, but who can not afford the typical cost of these services.
Having worked in ‘community mental health’ for years, I have seen firsthand how those who are often in the greatest need of mental health services are also in greatest need in other foundational areas of life. Often these individuals and families are struggling to meet basic needs, such as having a roof over their heads, a warm meal, and a Dr. overseeing their physical health needs. Governmental services that are set up to aid these folks are often aimed at securing these basic life domains, and getting the psychological support they need is often on the back burner. Similarly, students are graduating from college, working minimum wage jobs often without healthcare benefits and barely making ends meet. There are many people who would likely benefit from psychotherapy, and it is my hope that more will seek out this service as it becomes more accessible to them.
Open Path’s approach involves having individuals pay a one time start-up fee to the Collective, and then choosing from a number of therapists in their area to work with. The cost of the therapy is then $30-$50 per session. I am honored to be able to provide counseling to people who can not otherwise afford the high cost of psychotherapy. I do this through my own sliding scale, and now I can also provide help at an even more deeply discounted cost for those who truly value psychotherapy and personal growth, but due to the economic disparity in this country, could not have previously afforded it.
I want to encourage fellow LPCs, LMFTs, LMHCs, LCSWs, PsyDs, and other mental health workers who share this common goal of affordable mental health care to join Open Path!
Check out this video by Open Path Collective:
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective from Open Path Collective on Vimeo.