Free Therapy in San Antonio: Counseling Help Without Insurance

Therapy without insurance usually sounds impossible — private sessions can cost more than a car payment. In San Antonio, it is not impossible. There is a counseling center that is completely free, a county service that cannot turn you away for inability to pay, and several trusted clinics that set your fee by what you earn.

This page lists the real options, what each one costs, and who each one is for — plus the free crisis lines to use when you need help today, not next month.

Completely free: UTSA Sarabia Family Counseling Center

• What it is: free counseling for individuals, couples, and families, open to everyone in the community — you do not have to be a UTSA student.
• Who you will see: master’s and doctoral counseling students, supervised by university faculty. It is real counseling, delivered by counselors-in-training.
• Where: UTSA Downtown Campus, 501 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.
• Appointments: 210-458-2055
• Cost: free.

The county safety net: The Center for Health Care Services

The Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) is Bexar County’s public mental health authority — the place set up to serve residents whether or not they can pay.

• Cost: a sliding fee based on family size and income — and CHCS states plainly that no one is denied services because of an inability to pay.
• Who it serves: Bexar County children and adults with mental health conditions, substance use challenges, and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Appointments: 1-833-501-2427
• In crisis, 24 hours: 210-223-7233 (210-223-SAFE) or 1-800-316-9241

Sliding-scale clinics: pay what your income allows

Family Service Association of San Antonio

• Licensed counselors for individuals, couples, families, and groups, in English and Spanish — for children, youth, families, and seniors.
• Cost: you do not need insurance. Uninsured clients are seen on a sliding-scale fee, and no one is denied help because they cannot pay the full cost.
• Phone: 210-299-2400 (main office: 702 San Pedro Ave.)

Jewish Family Service of San Antonio

• Individual, group, marriage and family therapy, psychiatry, and case management — for people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds, in English and Spanish. You do not need to be Jewish to be seen here.
• Cost: JFS describes its counseling as affordable and says it works to remove financial barriers — ask about the fee when you call, and tell them what you can afford.
• Phone: 210-302-6920

For children and teens: Clarity Child Guidance Center

• San Antonio’s nonprofit mental health treatment center for kids ages 3 to 17, including outpatient therapy and a 24/7 walk-in crisis clinic for children and teens.
• Cost: in a crisis, Clarity works with families to get treatment regardless of their ability to pay; it also accepts Medicaid and offers financial aid.
• Phone: 210-616-0300 (8535 Tom Slick)

Free support groups (not therapy — and still worth a lot)

NAMI Greater San Antonio runs free, peer-led support groups: the Connection group for adults living with a mental health condition, and a Family Support Group for loved ones. They are run by trained peers, not licensed therapists — NAMI says so itself — but for many people they are the first place that feels safe to talk. NAMI also staffs a free Warm Line with trained peer specialists for non-crisis support. Call 210-734-3349.

If you need help right now

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24/7, in English and Spanish. Veterans: press 1. This is crisis support and referrals — not ongoing therapy — and it is there any time of day or night.
• CHCS 24-hour crisis line (Bexar County): 210-223-7233 or 1-800-316-9241.

See what else you qualify for — free 2-minute check

Mental health help often travels with other needs — food, rent, a health plan, a ride. Our free checker reviews all of it at once and matches you to the programs that fit your life.

Check what you qualify for →

Rather have us do the legwork? Apply for Me is our free service — tell us your situation once and we send you a personal guide to your matches.

Related guides

• Free mental health help in San Antonio
• Free trauma counseling in San Antonio
• Free counseling for veterans in San Antonio

Helpful links & phone numbers

• UTSA Sarabia Family Counseling Center (free): 210-458-2055
• The Center for Health Care Services: appointments 1-833-501-2427 · crisis 210-223-7233
• Family Service Association: 210-299-2400
• Jewish Family Service: 210-302-6920
• Clarity Child Guidance Center (kids 3–17): 210-616-0300
• NAMI Greater San Antonio: 210-734-3349
• 988 Lifeline: call or text 988

Fees and programs are set by each organization and can change — this page reflects their published information as of October 2026. If you are in crisis, call 988 first and read the rest later.