Fees
At The Marina Counseling Center (MCC) we believe that therapy should be affordable, equitable, and sustainable.
Our standard fee for a 50-minute therapy session is $175 and can be prorated for longer sessions.
For those in need of sliding scale fees, we offer therapy starting at $50 from our Masters-level trainees, and $80 from our Associate Marriage and Family Therapists. All of our clinicians reserve a portion of their caseloads for sliding scale therapy.
If you’re seeking a low-fee spot, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible, as those spots are sometimes waitlisted.
We can provide superbills for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider, and we accept HSA debit cards. Please check with your insurance company to confirm your out-of-network benefits. The Marina Counseling Center assumes no responsibility for bounced back superbills.
Why Choose The Marina Counseling Center?
Affordable
Sliding scale fees to fit
your budget.
Culturally Sensitive Care
Our diverse team provides therapy that honors your values and experience.
Personalized Matching
You will be matched with a therapist who is able to respond to your goals for therapy.
Diversity of Support
We work with families, children, couples, and individuals.
Start Quickly
We aim to match you
within a week.
Flexible Meeting Options
Meet with your therapist in person in San Francisco or virtually throughout California.
1 / Phone Consult
Prospective clients can schedule a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation. Clients should plan to be in a quiet, private space. Fees and scheduling are also discussed in this call.
2 / Therapist Matching
Our intake manager then reviews multiple factors to find a therapist who will best match the client's needs.
3 / Setting Up The First Appointment
The assigned therapist will reach out to the client to introduce themselves and set up the first appointment within approximately one week.
4 / Begin Sessions
The client will meet with their therapist in person or virtually (depending on their preference) and will begin their work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is individual therapy right for me?
Therapy is a great choice if you notice persistent changes in your child’s mood, social life, or school performance. It provides professional support to help them express their feelings and thrive in their environment.
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How do I choose a therapist?
The process of choosing a therapist is deeply personal, and the most important factor is finding a professional you and your child feel safe and comfortable with. At The Marina Counseling Center, we match your child with a therapist whose specialty and approach align with his or her needs. However, it's normal and encouraged to explore your options. You should feel empowered to have initial calls, not just with our team, but with other therapists or centers as well.
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We've tried therapy in the past and it didn’t work for our child / wasn’t a good experience. How will this be different?
Often this happens because it wasn’t the right time, therapist, or modality. We recognize it’s difficult to take the step to be vulnerable and seek help through therapy and to not find the support you’re looking for. We are committed to helping you find what you’re seeking. At the MCC, we have a range of therapists specializing in a variety of orientations and modalities and would be honored to work with you to explore if we can find the right fit for you here. Please let your therapist know what didn’t work well for you when you tried therapy previously.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy at the MCC is a highly individualized process that is tailored to your child’s individual needs and concerns, and so the time it takes can vary by person. That said, we believe therapy should be effective and helpful, and so if you have concerns about progress or fit, we invite you to bring these to your work with your therapist.
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What can I expect in a typical session?
Sessions are 50 minutes and happen on a weekly basis. Our therapists work from a range of orientations, modalities, and interventions, including psychodynamic, somatic, client-centered, relational, CBT, and more. A typical session will depend on your child’s individual therapist, the work your child is focusing on, and your child’s individual relationship with them.
I’m nervous to begin, is this normal?
It is completely normal to feel hesitant about starting therapy for your child. Hesitation can stem from a variety of common concerns, such as worry about the stigma of mental health care, fear that the therapist will "blame" a parent, or uncertainty about what actually happens in a session. If you, your partner, or your child are hesitant, we recommend the following:
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For Parents: Schedule an initial parent-only consultation with the therapist. This allows you to discuss your concerns, review the confidential process, and understand the therapeutic goals without your child present.
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For the Child: Acknowledge their feelings and let them know that therapy is simply a safe, neutral space to talk and learn new skills, not a place to be judged or told what to do. Your assigned therapist will take the first session slowly, focusing on building rapport and trust.
How much is each session?
Fees are offered on a sliding scale based on financial need. Please see our Fee page (link) for more information.
Some therapists on the website are listed as "trainees" or "associates," what's the difference?
Both Trainees and Associates are pre-licensed and work under the supervision of a licensed therapist. They are completing their required hours to become fully licensed. Associates have completed the education requirement while Trainees are in the final year of graduate school.