Photo by Anna Shvets
These services are just the start. Healwise has a growing list of trusted, affordable mental health resources to explore. Explore here.
Therapy can be life-changing, but for many New Yorkers, cost is a major barrier to getting started. If you’ve been looking for free or pro bono mental health care in NYC, you’re not alone.
The good news? A number of organizations across the city offer counseling at no cost, especially for people navigating trauma, financial hardship, or high-stress frontline roles.
Below, we’ve rounded up several options that provide free mental health care in NYC, for diverse needs and communities.
Whether you’re a healthcare worker, firefighter, or community member facing overwhelming stress, these services are here to help, without adding to your financial burden.
The Emotional PPE Project: Free therapy for healthcare workers
If you’re a healthcare worker whose mental health has been affected by your day-to-day responsibilities, The Emotional PPE Project can help. This national nonprofit connects frontline professionals with licensed volunteer therapists, no insurance or payment required.
Sessions are confidential and virtual, and you don’t need to go through an intake process to get matched.
Friends of Firefighters: Counseling and support for FDNY families
Friends of Firefighters provides free, confidential mental health services to NYC’s active and retired firefighters, as well as their families. You can access in-person or virtual sessions for individual, couples, or family therapy, along with support groups. Services address a wide range of needs, including trauma, grief, anxiety, and family dynamics.
Frontline Therapy Network: Free therapy sessions for frontline workers
Run by The Battle Within, this program offers up to 10 free therapy sessions for frontline workers, including healthcare professionals, first responders, and other essential workers.
It’s a structured, trauma-informed experience designed to help you process stress and begin your healing journey with the support of a licensed therapist.
Garden of Hope: Culturally sensitive care for Chinese immigrant communities
Garden of Hope offers pro bono therapy, support groups, and helpline services for underserved Chinese immigrants in NYC. Services are tailored to address the unique challenges facing the community, including race-related trauma, domestic violence, and family stress.
Care is available in multiple boroughs and delivered in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.
The Door Counseling Center: Free and low-cost therapy for NYC youth
The Door offers inclusive, identity-affirming mental health care for young people in New York City.
Once you become a member, you can access free or low-cost short-term therapy, crisis support, art therapy, and more, whether you’re working through trauma, navigating identity, or facing housing instability or substance use challenges.
Get started with free mental health care in NYC
Mental health support should be accessible to everyone — regardless of income or insurance status. If you’re looking for free therapy in NYC, we hope this list offers a helpful starting point.
Explore even more no-cost and sliding scale services on the Healwise platform.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)