Many people wonder why therapy costs so much, or ask about discounts and reduced rates. To clarify, therapy fees reflect the many expenses that come with maintaining a professional and ethical practice.
Therapists must cover costs such as professional insurance, memberships in regulatory bodies, ongoing training and development, supervision, professional online platforms, website fees, accounting fees, etc.
In addition, there are standard operational expenses, including rent/ room fees, commercial rates, gas and electricity, WiFi, utilities, and maintenance.
Most therapists also dedicate hundreds of hours to voluntary (free) work during their training and qualification, as many therapist in training don't take any payment for their work. And while they do that, it costs an average of 25,000e to get qualified as a therapist, as well as an additional 8,000e for mandatory supervision and personal Therapy while in training.
Working as a therapist is someones profession, and like any other job, therapists need to earn a living. For this reason, sessions typically need to be paid for and cancellation fees apply.
If free or low-cost counselling is more suitable for your circumstances, there are organisations that provide services through volunteers, and therapists are often happy to guide you toward those resources.