Money
Real dollar figures for therapy and testing across California, and every route that brings the number down.
Low-cost therapy in Oakland: start with the door that can pay
Six Oakland mental-health routes checked against county and clinic sources: Medi-Cal, HealthPAC, sliding scale, youth care, Spanish care, and insurance.
SLIDING SCALESliding scale is real. Here's how to ask for it without feeling like you're haggling.
How to ask a California therapist about sliding-scale openings, compare the whole price, and use other lower-cost routes.
AUTISMWhat an autism assessment costs in California — child, teen, and adult
For children, California Regional Centers assess free. For adults, private evaluations run roughly $1,500–5,000. Every route, priced, with the scripts.
NEUROPSYCHWhat neuropsychological testing costs in California — and how to get insurance to pay
A full neuropsychological evaluation commonly runs $2,500–6,000 cash in California — but it's the most insurable testing there is. The route, priced.
LOS ANGELESWhat therapy costs in Los Angeles — and how to get the real number
No invented LA averages. Get a written therapy price, use California's 10-business-day rule, and find the county's public access line.
SACRAMENTOWhat therapy costs in Sacramento — and how to get the real number
Get a written therapy price, use California's 10-business-day rule, and call Sacramento County's public behavioral health entry point.
SAN DIEGOWhat therapy costs in San Diego — and how to get the real number
Get a written therapy price, use California's 10-business-day rule, and find San Diego County's public access line.
SAN FRANCISCOWhat therapy costs in San Francisco — and how to get the real number
No invented SF averages. Get a written therapy price, use California's 10-business-day rule, and find the city's public access line.
SAN JOSEWhat therapy costs in San Jose — and how to get the real number
Get a written therapy price, use California's 10-business-day rule, and find Santa Clara County's public behavioral health line.