Counseling Sticker Shock: A Reframe

You’ve scoured the internet, asked friends, family members, doctors, and that nice middle aged lady at Kroger who was eavesdropping on your conversation in the frozen food section gave you a referral to a therapist. You think you’ve found a therapist you’d like to see but when you check their fees per session you feel nauseous and weak in the knees.  You ask yourself, “Why on earth is it so expensive to see a counselor? It’s only talking! I pay less to see my doctor.” You get grumpy and are reluctant to call and take that leap.

I can assure you, you are not alone in these feelings.  When searching for a therapist supervisor, I too, had a similar nauseated feeling.  I even knew what the cost might be and that I would be paying out of pocket. Once that wave of nausea passed, I reminded myself of what I’m actually paying for and that it is more than 45-60 minutes of “just talking.”  While my need for a therapist is different (supervision vs. counseling) what I’m paying for is the same as any client:

A Highly Educated & Knowledgeable Helping Professional 

All counselors have AT LEAST a master’s degree, which required not only academic study but at least a year of internship/pre-degree hours to complete before even receiving that pricey and well earned piece of paper.

Government Regulated Services

In addition to that master’s degree, licensed therapists are required to have a certain amount of hours, including direct client hours, supervision, and non-direct client hours, take certain tests, and get background checks to even become licensed.  The hours and types of hours needed vary between licenses and states, but they are intense work, and assure a highly skilled and quality counseling services.

Continuously Advanced Skills

Counselors are required by the state to obtain so many continuing education credits per every 2 years.  This means, counselors must continually develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding of therapy throughout the course of their counseling career, therefore offering up-to-date therapy.

Specialized Care

Continuing education also allows therapists to specialize in certain areas.  Specialists in the field of mental health are comparable to specialists in the medical realm and may charge more for this advanced knowledge and skill, especially in areas under-served with this specialty.

Behind the Curtain Work

Even though you only see your therapist for about an hour, they are working long past then, which is considered “unpaid work.”  Therapist write notes, contact doctors, update treatment plans, coordinate care, consult with colleagues, argue with insurance companies, manage records and billing, and return calls and emails of clients and potential clients.  This is all to give you the best quality of care, adhere to legal and ethical regulations, and manage a business so that they are able to help you.

Sessions

You get an hour of someone’s time who is there to help you through a time of need, in a completely unique relationship unlike any other relationship you’ve had before.

In short, your fee for the hour buys you all the knowledge and skills counselors work hard to obtain and maintain, ethical, current, and considerate care, a unique helping relationship, and, of course, their time.  When you think about all that they do outside your session with them, you’re actually kind of getting a huge deal! Even if you have some severe sticker shock, there are also many opportunities for affordable mental health care with all of the wonderful benefits. 

For another informative article on the cost of counseling, check out this article here.