Can’t Afford Weekly Therapy? 5 Ways to Make It Work on a Budget

3 min read

“I want to go to therapy, but I can’t afford it every week."

If that’s been you, breathe. You’re not the only one.

In Nigeria, therapy can feel like something for "big people." You Google prices and see ₦40,000, ₦60,000, and even ₦200,000 for packages. Then you close the tab and tell yourself "Maybe next year." The money anxiety is real.

But here’s what nobody tells you: You don’t need weekly therapy to start healing.

And you don’t need to be rich to afford it.

At MindMed, we believe cost shouldn’t be the reason you suffer in silence. That’s why we built different ways to get support, from ₦4,000 group sessions to ₦7,000 individual sessions, session packages, and self-help toolkits you can use at home.

Let’s talk about 5 real ways to make therapy work, even on a tight budget.

Option 1: Start At ₦7,000 With MindMed Individual Sessions

Yes, ₦7,000, not ₦70,000.

How it works: One-on-one online therapy via http://Doxy.me. 50 minutes. Licensed therapist. No hidden fees.

Why we did this: Because we saw the data. Most Nigerians need help but think therapy starts at ₦40k. Platforms charge ₦10,000-₦28,750 per week, and international ones charge ₦50,000+ per week.

We wanted to change that—real sessions, real results, and accessible.

Best for: First-timers, students, NYSC, anyone who thought therapy was "not for me."

The truth: Lower fee does not mean lower quality. At ₦7,000, you can actually afford to come consistently instead of once and ghosting.

Option 2: Save More With The Session Package - ₦32,500

This is what most of our MindMed clients choose when they’re ready to commit.

How it works: 5 individual sessions for ₦32,500. That’s ₦6,500 per session. Valid for 3 months.

Why it works:

1. You save ₦2,500 vs booking one-by-one

2. You have a plan for 2-3 months. Consistency without pressure

3. No weekly payment stress. Pay once, focus on healing

Best for: The "therapy sprint", tackling anxiety, grief, burnout, or setting boundaries in 5 focused sessions.

Other clinics charge ₦200,000 for 4 sessions. We wanted to make a package that actually fits average Nigerian budgets.

Option 3: Try Group Therapy From ₦4,000

You’re not alone in this. Literally.

How it works: A small group of 4-7 people and 1 therapist. One shared 50-minute session.

Cost: ₦4,000 per person at MindMed. 

Industry average is ₦15,000 - ₦25,000. We made it ₦4,000 because the community should be affordable.

Why it works:

1. You hear "me too" and shame starts to lift

2. You learn from other people, not just the therapist

3. It’s 40% cheaper than an individual

Best for: "Thinking too much," social anxiety, career stress, grief.

Option 4: Use Self-Help Toolkits Between Sessions

Can’t do a session this week? Or want to keep practicing?

We created MindMed Self-Help Toolkits so you’re not left alone between sessions.

What’s inside:

1. Anxiety Workbook - Triggers tracker, breathing scripts, CBT exercises, 4-week plan

2. Depression Workbook - Mood tracker, behavioral activation, thought records, relapse plan 

3. Complete Toolkit - Both workbooks and "Bad Day Protocol" and "How to distinguish between behavior, thought and feeling.”

Why it works:

1. You get therapist-designed tools you can use at 2am

2. It helps you get more from your ₦7,000 sessions because you’re practicing between

3. Perfect if you’re doing bi-weekly or monthly therapy

Think of it as "homework with guidance." The toolkits come with a "How to Use" guide so you don’t feel lost.

Best for: People doing bi-weekly therapy, or those not ready for sessions yet but want to start somewhere.

Ask us about the toolkits when you book.

Option 5: Use Online Therapy To Cut Hidden Costs

The session fee isn’t the only cost.

Hidden costs of in-person:

- Transport: ₦3,000 - ₦8,000

- Traffic: 3 hours

- Taking leave from work

- "What if my neighbor sees me enter a therapist’s office?"

Online therapy fixes that. And it’s often cheaper.

With MindMed, you join from your room in Ibadan, Abuja, PH, anywhere. No transport. No stigma. Flexible hours. At ₦7,000 individual or ₦4,000 group, it’s one of the most accessible options in Nigeria.

Plus you’re more likely to keep appointments, so you don’t waste money.

What NOT To Do

1. Don’t wait until you "have more money" - Start with 1 session at ₦7,000 or grab a toolkit. That’s a decision, not a luxury.

2. Don’t do 1 session and disappear - Healing takes consistency. Try the 5-session package or bi-weekly instead. Session 1 is just an assessment.

3. Don’t compare - Your friend paying ₦80k doesn’t mean you have to. Find what works for you.

You Deserve Support, Period.

Therapy isn’t supposed to break you financially.

Whether it’s ₦4,000 group, ₦7,000 individual, the ₦32,500 package, or a self-help toolkit, something is better than nothing.

The goal isn’t to do therapy "perfectly." The goal is to start. And to keep going in a way that doesn’t add more stress to your life.

At MindMed, we’re here to make that possible.