Finding affordable mental health care can be challenging, but Washtenaw County is home to several nonprofit organizations, community clinics and university programs that provide counseling and psychiatric services at reduced rates or on a sliding fee scale.
Whether you are uninsured, covered by Medicaid, or simply looking for a lower-cost alternative to private practice, these organizations offer accessible care for adults, children, families and seniors.
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
Address: 555 Towner, Ypsilanti
Phone: (734) 544-3050
Website: washtenaw.org/839/Community-Mental-Health
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is the county’s public behavioral health agency, providing crisis intervention, counseling, psychiatric services, case management and substance use treatment. The agency serves adults, children and families, with many services available at little or no cost for individuals who qualify through Medicaid or county funding. Staff members can also help connect residents with other local mental health providers when appropriate.
Crisis services are for those with urgent needs.
To report a crisis, call 734-544-3050 at any time of the day or night.
Catholic Charities Washtenaw County
Address: 4925 Packard St., Ann Arbor
Phone: (734) 971-9781
Behavioral Health Intake: (734) 926-0155
Website: ccwcwashtenaw.org
Catholic Charities offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children, and families regardless of religious affiliation. Self-pay counseling begins at approximately $40 per session, and sliding-scale fees are available for qualifying clients. The organization also accepts many insurance plans, including Medicaid, and provides treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and relationship concerns.
Packard Health
Address: 2650 Carpenter Rd., Ann Arbor
Phone: (734) 971-1073
Website: packardhealth.org
Packard Health is a federally qualified community health center that integrates behavioral health with primary medical care. Patients have access to counseling, psychiatric consultation and referrals while benefiting from sliding-fee discounts based on income. The center welcomes uninsured patients and accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most commercial insurance plans.
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Eastern Michigan University Community Behavioral Health Clinic
Address: 1075 N. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti
Phone: (734) 487-4987
Website: emich.edu
Operated by Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Psychology, this clinic provides therapy and psychological assessments performed by graduate clinicians under licensed supervision. Because it serves as a training clinic, fees are among the lowest in the area, with therapy sessions typically costing around $10. Services are available for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
The Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan
Address: 1100 Victors Way, Suite 10
Phone: (734) 973-6779
Website: womenscentersemi.org
The Women’s Center offers individual counseling and support groups using an affordable sliding-fee scale. Their “Soundings” program does not require any pay for counseling, or pay what you can. Counseling services are available to people of all genders. The nonprofit specializes in making mental health services accessible for uninsured and underinsured community members.
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (Thrive Counseling)
Address: 2245 S. State St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor
Phone: (734) 769-0209
Website: jfsannarbor.org
Jewish Family Services offers counseling through its Thrive Counseling program for individuals, couples, families and older adults regardless of religious affiliation. The agency accepts Medicaid, Medicare and many private insurance plans while offering financial assistance for eligible clients. In addition to counseling, JFS provides case management, caregiver support, and numerous community assistance programs.
Additional Community Resource
Residents who are unsure where to begin can start by contacting Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, which serves as the county’s central access point for behavioral health services. Staff members can determine eligibility for county-funded programs or refer callers to other affordable providers in the community. Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis should call 988 or contact Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s 24-hour crisis line for immediate assistance.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
