We rated Open Path Collective 4 out of 5 stars. Along with access to affordable in-person and online therapy, a one-time $65 membership fee includes wellness courses and exclusive discounts on partnered services. With membership, the cost of therapy ranges from $30–$70, available exclusively through private pay.
Open Path Collective At a Glance
Cost: $65 one-time fee; $30–$70 per session
Insurance: No
Medication: No
Location: US & Canada
Pros & Cons
Pros - Affordable therapy for individuals, couples, & families
- Directory has great filtering capabilities
- Many membership benefits (e.g., resources, discounts, wellness courses)
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- Does not offer psychiatry
- Requires you to contact therapist yourself
- Allow for four business days for your therapist to respond
Preview Open Path Collective
Open Path Collective is a nonprofit organization connecting individuals and couples with affordable mental health care. With licensed therapists across all 50 states and Canada, they serve those who are uninsured or burdened by high deductibles and co-pays. To access the directory of low-cost providers, there’s a one-time lifetime membership fee of $65. After joining, clients work directly with their chosen therapist to set a session rate, typically ranging from $30–$70, and up to $80 for couples and family therapy.
My experience with Open Path Collective was positive overall. The sign-up process was simple and judgment-free—I never felt ashamed about seeking lower-cost therapy due to my financial situation. Finding a provider was straightforward, with plenty of licensed therapists available in my state. I especially appreciated the directory’s filter function, which made it easy to find therapists specializing in the areas I wanted to address.
However, I did find the outreach process a bit challenging. Rather than being able to self-schedule through the site or mobile app, I had to contact therapists directly (via phone or email) to inquire about their availability. It would have been helpful to see a general sense of their schedules upfront. Despite this, I found Open Path to be accessible, affordable, and filled with a wide range of therapist options.
While Open Path Collective specializes in connecting individuals with therapists, they do not offer any psychiatrists as part of their network. If you are looking for affordable medication management, I would recommend Talkiatry or Brightside Health. Or browse our list of best online therapy that takes insurance.
Detailed Review
Open Path Collective meets its goal to provide affordable therapy to those who are under- or uninsured in both the United States and Canada. There is a mandatory one-time lifetime membership cost of $65 that grants you access to a library of mental health videos, online wellness courses, and partner discounts. From there, session fees range from $30–$70 for individual psychotherapy and up to $80 for couples and family therapy.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Lifetime Membership
Open Path Collective charges a one-time $65 lifetime membership fee, which helps cover administrative and hosting costs while supporting the growth of their therapist network. As a nonprofit, this fee plays a crucial role in sustaining their services.
With your lifetime membership, you not only gain access to affordable psychotherapy but also enjoy exclusive member benefits, including:
- Discounts from partner companies offering resources for personal wellness.
- Moodfit; Shakti Mats; New Harbinger Publications; The Gottman Institute
- A free library of mental health videos from therapists on a variety of topics, including beginning therapy, trauma, and grief.
- Free access to Open Path’s online wellness education courses, which include 19 courses on a variety of topics such as Anger Management, Communication Skills, Relationships 101, and Parenting. Certificates of completion are an additional cost and depend on the number of credits you take.
Therapy
Open Path therapy begins by searching for a therapist in your area. Their directory offers a variety of filters—such as in-person or online sessions, specialties, and treatment modalities—making it easy to find a provider that fits your needs. Once you’ve chosen a therapist, you’ll need to become an Open Path member by paying a one-time $65 membership fee, which also grants access to additional wellness benefits.
Wellness Education
Open Path’s online wellness education courses are designed to equip individuals with practical tools to enhance their overall well-being. Covering a wide range of topics—including stress, burnout, anger management, financial wellness, co-parenting, and relationships—these courses use evidence-based approaches and tested outcome measures, blending educational content with mindfulness practices to build psychological resilience.
For clinicians and practitioners, access to these wellness courses is available for a standalone fee of $79. If you’re a client using Open Path therapy, your one-time $65 lifetime membership includes access to all online courses at no additional cost.
Library of Resources
Along with online wellness education courses, your lifetime membership also grants access to a resource library featuring around 10 mini workshops, each under 30 minutes. These educational videos are led by skilled, experienced therapists and cover a range of mental health topics, such as grief, trauma, and starting therapy for the first time.
Couples & Family Therapy
Open Path also offers couples and family therapy, with session rates reaching up to $80. Couples only need to pay a single membership fee, and families can access therapy through one membership shared on behalf of the family.
It’s important to note that not all therapists provide couples or family therapy, so be sure to use the directory’s filters to specifically search for those offering these services.
How Much Does it Cost?
Open Path Collective charges a one-time $65 lifetime membership fee. Below is a detailed breakdown of the costs of therapy on Open Path:
- $30 per session for individual therapy with a student intern
- $40–$70 per session for individual therapy with a licensed therapist
- Up to $80 per session for couples and family therapy
Who Do They Serve?
Open Path Collective provides affordable therapy options for individuals who are uninsured, have high deductibles or co-pays, or prefer cash-pay services. Serving individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families, Open Path is available across all 50 U.S. states and Canada. Since therapists may have specific preferences regarding age groups or types of therapy they offer, be sure to use the search filters to find the best match for your needs.
Overall, Open Path Collective is an excellent resource for individuals with an annual household income of less than $100,000, seeking accessible therapy options.
Once registration is completed, you will receive a Member ID in your inbox and can expect to pay $30–$70 to work with an Open Path therapist ($30 for student interns). Couples and family therapy can cost up to $80 per session, depending on what is agreed upon with your therapist.
User Reviews
Due to Open Path Collective not having an app, there are no reviews available on app stores such as Apple or Google Play stores; however, Open Path is one of the most highly recommended resources among therapists as a referral source for clients seeking low-cost, affordable therapy services.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 3.4 out of 5 stars | 1 number of reviews
Positive: There is currently only one review on Trustpilot, but it strongly emphasizes how life-saving Open Path has been in helping the reviewer find an affordable therapist tailored to their needs. The review also acknowledges the importance of the one-time $65 membership fee, noting that it plays a crucial role in helping Open Path Collective maintain its services.
Reviews from Reddit users
Positive: There have been many positive reviews from both clients and therapists who have used Open Path Collective. The majority of these reviews highlight the professionalism and high quality of the therapists available, as well as the affordability of long-term therapy, which would otherwise be out of reach with full private-pay rates.
Negative: Some users mentioned a few drawbacks, including confusion during the sign-up process and the need to reach out to therapists directly to check availability. Additionally, the availability of therapists listed in the Open Path directory to take on new clients is not always clear.
Alternatives & Competitors
For some, Open Path Collective won’t be the best option. Below, we outline several alternatives that may be a better match.
Most Affordable Per-Session Cash-Pay - LiveHealth Online
Cost: $85 – $185 per session
Insurance: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Both
Location: US
LiveHealth Online and Open Path Collective cater to slightly different needs and financial situations. LiveHealth Online offers nationwide online mental health care on a pay-per-use basis. Therapy sessions cost $85 or less, psychologist appointments are $100 or less, and psychiatry services range from $185 for an initial evaluation to $80 for follow-ups. Insurance may lower these costs, but for those without coverage, LiveHealth can be an affordable option for one-off appointments or occasional check-ins.
Open Path Collective operates on a membership model, requiring a one-time $65 fee to access significantly reduced therapy rates—usually between $30–$70 per session. While this can be an affordable long-term solution for those seeking consistent, ongoing care, the upfront membership cost means it may not be the most budget-friendly choice for someone only looking for infrequent sessions.
You can find more information on our full LiveHealth review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Flexible scheduling, including weekends
- Affordable cash-pay rates
Cons - Accepts a limited number of insurance plans
- Unable to prescribe controlled medications
Best for Insurance Coverage - Brightside Health
Cost: $95 – $349 monthly
Insurance: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Both
Location: US
If you do have insurance—something Open Path Collective does not accept—then you may be better off with a company like Brightside Health. They accept a wide variety of insurance plans, and if you’re covered, your costs will likely be dramatically decreased. In addition, they excel at providing both therapy and psychiatry, and really are one of our favorite all-around platforms.
We explore Brightside Health in detail in our full review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Same-day care often available
Cons - Cash-pay rates may be too expensive for some
- Customer service can be little slow to respond
Best Therapist Availability - BetterHelp
Cost: $260–$400 monthly
Insurance: No
Therapy & Psychiatry: Therapy
Location: US & International
Because BetterHelp is such an enormous company with numerous therapists, you’ll likely be able to find a provider who can work around your schedule. That is one thing Open Path Collective can sometimes struggle to do. Plus, you can’t filter your provider search with them by availability.
If you can’t find someone with Open Path who suits your schedule, my advice is to try BetterHelp. While they do not accept insurance, and cash-pay prices can get a little pricey, consider applying to receive financial aid, which, depending on our circumstances, could be anywhere between 10%–40% off.
Learn more in BetterHelp review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - 30k therapists to choose from
- inancial aid available
Cons - Insurance not accepted
- Limited choice over your initial therapist
Why You Can Trust My Review
“I personally used Open Path Collective, giving me firsthand insight into the platform. I appreciated the wide selection of over 30,000 therapists and the ability to browse the directory before paying the $65 lifetime membership fee. The sign-up process was simple: complete a brief questionnaire, confirm your uninsured or high-deductible status, and receive your Member ID to contact a therapist directly.
While I liked the ease of getting started, the diverse therapist options, and the directory’s filtering features, there were some downsides. You can’t self-schedule appointments—you must call or email therapists—there’s no option for insurance reimbursement via superbills, and the platform doesn’t offer psychiatry or medication management services. Therapists may also take up to four business days to respond.
My experience gave me a balanced view of Open Path Collective’s strengths and limitations, and this review reflects my direct use of the platform. I have long been recommending this platform to people, and would certainly do the same for any friends and family who met the requirements.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open Path Collective Legit?
Yes! Open Path Collective is a legit resource that has been trusted by both therapists and clients.
Can Open Path Collective Prescribe Medication?
No, Open Path Collective does not list psychiatrists or medication management.
What States Does Open Path Collective Cover?
Open Path Collective is available in all 50 US States and Canada.
How Much Does Open Path Collective Cost?
There is a one-time lifetime membership fee of $65 to sign-up. Session rates can range from $30–$80 depending on working with a student intern, the rate set by your individual therapist, or couples and family therapy.
Can I Use Insurance for Open Path Collective?
No. One of the goals of Open Path is to completely bypass the insurance industry. Open Path is intended for people who are either uninsured or underinsured.
Can I use Medicaid for Open Path Collective?
If there are no available Medicaid providers in your area, you could use Open Path to meet your need for affordable mental health care. Please note that Open Path rates ($40–$70 per session for individual counseling) are much higher than Medicaid rates for psychotherapy. If there are available Medicaid providers in your area, Open Path Collective asks that you do not use Open Path.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for Open Path Collective
While you may be able to pay for sessions with HSA/FSA cards, Open Path Collective does not provide superbills or any other support for insurance reimbursement. It is usually best to check your insurance benefits to see if this cost would be covered.
Does Open Path Collective Issue Refunds?
Services are charged based on the service provided at that time, therefore it is unlikely that refunds for sessions would be issued. However, if you cannot find a provider after you pay the cost of membership, you can cancel and receive a refund.
Is Open Path Collective HIPAA-Compliant?
Open Path Collective keeps your information private and secure, however, it is important to note that Open Path Collective is solely a directory of therapists and each therapist has their own HIPAA and privacy policies.
Who Are Open Path Collective’s Competitors?
OpenCounseling and Inclusive Therapists Directory are comparable to Open Path Collective.
History & News
Year Founded: 2012
Founders: Paul Fugelsang
Headquarters: Asheville, North Carolina
Open Path Collective was founded in 2012 and officially launched by Spring of 2013 by Paul Fugelsang with the purpose of bridging the gap between expensive traditional therapy and public assistance programs. The Open Path Collective’s mission is to provide affordable mental health care for individuals who cannot afford standard therapy rates but don’t qualify for free or low-cost services.
To date, Open Path Collective is excited to report that they have been able to match more than 140,000 clients across the country to affordable psychotherapeutic care. In addition, over 69,000 students have enrolled to take at least one of Open Path’s online wellness classes.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Frequently Asked Questions. Open Path Collective. Retrieved from: https://openpathcollective.org/client/faq/
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About Us. Open Path Collective. Retrieved from: https://openpathcollective.org/open-path-staff/
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