Can you see a therapist on the cheap?

It depends on what local services are offered in your area, but normally yes.

If you are still in school (high school or college), ask a councilor if they know of any local services that offer therapists. A few have them on staff or will have access to volunteers.

Some homeless shelters have therapists who volunteer a certain number of hours each month, especially if they have a drug or rehab center as part of their program.

Some churches will offer counseling and advice for free, though it may be a member of clergy; a few have therapists on staff or are therapists in addition to being clergy.

If you have any type of insurance you may be able to get a certain number of sessions free or at least discounted with the insurance picking up the bulk of the cost.

If you are open to the idea of group therapy you should also look into group sessions and meetings; depending on what you need therapy for many cities (at least the larger ones) will have free group therapy meetings relating to specific topics: alcohol and drug abuse, survivors of rape, cancer, children of abusive parents and so on. Any issue that can be traumatic and require therapy will usually have a group somewhere that meets and helps each other, they are often led by a counselor or therapist who volunteers their time.

Groups like this may advertise at local libraries, hospitals and community centers. Ask at any of those locations for additional advice, they are more likely to know your local area and what is available there than any advice you will find online.

As a last resort if it is an emergency (thoughts of suicide) than any hospital will be able to offer at least one session as part of evaluating if you are a danger to yourself or others. They may keep you 24 to 48 hours for observation.