Therapy Pricing: A Common Controversy

True or False: The higher a therapist’s education and qualifications, the higher the cost of their services.

The answer is false. Oh, the therapy cost controversy. Why are prices all over the place? Who decides? What does it depend on? What is the framework for developing these prices? The truth is, prices rely on so many different factors and because there are no strict set of guidelines to follow, it can range vastly from therapist to therapist. That’s why there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Therapists vary in education, experience, credentials, and work spaces which all play a role in their rates and fees. 

As a private practice owner, factors that can be included in the formation of therapy rates include education, experience, the local market, and overhead costs such as rent, furnishing the office, supplies, marketing and web fees, continuing education, professional fees, insurance, annual professional development, and the cost of living (Campbell, 2019). Fees can also vary depending on the area in which the office is located.

Cost of Services Does Not Equal the Rate of Pay.

Therapists have to charge enough to compensate for the fact they still work a typical 8-hour workday (or more). An important factor we consider is client load! Eight hours of therapy a day can be very heavy and take a cognitive and emotional toll. To be at our best with each and every client, it’s often in our best interest to have fewer clients per day to maintain attentiveness, emotional presence, and to provide the most effective therapeutic techniques and listening ear. While therapists see 15-30 clients on average per week (which is approximately 4-5 clients a day), the remainder of the day is filled with administrative tasks such as responding to emails and calls, scheduling, documentation, peer supervision, operational maintenance (advertising, social media, financials, etc.), ongoing learning, and professional development.

“No one becomes a therapist in the hopes of making it rich”
(Campbell, 2019)

The Bottom Line

Therapists are here to support people, not to profit from their clients’ struggles. We're genuinely passionate about helping individuals navigate their toughest moments, and we believe that financial barriers shouldn’t make those tough times even harder. Our goal is to provide compassionate care that makes a positive difference in people’s lives. While we do our best to price appropriately, we get it – therapy is expensive! To help with cost, some therapists provide a “sliding scale therapy” which means you and your therapist are open and honest about income, life expenses and any other financial stresses. The fee per session can be adjusted based on income and one’s financial stability. The main goal is to receive the help that’s needed without having the financial part weighing on your shoulders (Park, 2024).

Cost should never prevent someone from accessing the help they need, but affordability is a reality. Knowing what goes into the costs of therapy can help with informed decision-making for getting help. Always speak to your therapist if you’re having any financial worries about cost or fees, and we’ll do our best to help.

Sources:
Healthline
FirstSession