what your therapist’s fee really means: exploring the story behind the price of therapy
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in a very different world—personal finance. I advised people on how to manage their money, invest wisely, and make strategic financial decisions. One thing that always intrigued me was the emotional and unconscious relationship people have with money. That fascination stayed with me when I transitioned into counselling, and it inspired the research I later undertook as part of my Master's at Oxford.
For my research dissertation, I explored an area that’s often overlooked in therapy: how therapists in private practice decide what to charge. What factors shape their fee structure? What personal, ethical, or economic considerations go into that decision? This is a surprisingly under-researched topic—yet it impacts clients directly.
Why Don’t We Talk About Money?
In British society, there are two things we tend to avoid: talking openly about money, and questioning our assumptions about what a price tag represents. When we do talk about money, it’s often awkward or uncomfortable. In the context of therapy, this silence can breed assumptions: that a higher fee signals better training, more experience, or greater skill, while a lower fee might indicate the opposite.
But my research revealed a much more complex reality.
What Therapists Actually Consider When Setting Their Fees
Therapists weigh a wide range of factors when setting their fees—many of which are deeply personal and rarely visible to clients. These include:
Living costs and sustainability: Therapists consider how much they need to earn to live and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Unlike salaried roles, private practice often involves unpaid admin time, gaps between sessions, and the need for regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Overheads and logistics: In-person therapy often comes with higher running costs—renting rooms, travel, insurance—while online therapy may allow for lower fees due to fewer overheads.
Ethics and fairness: What’s “fair” is highly individual. Some therapists feel a strong moral obligation to keep therapy accessible and may offer reduced fees or sliding scales. Others may volunteer time with low-cost services or charities to balance the realities of private practice with their values.
Community and purpose: Many therapists are acutely aware of the inequality in access to therapy. Fee setting can reflect a desire to serve the broader community, not just personal income goals.
Ultimately, the decision is always personal. Therapists arrive at a fee that feels right to them—financially, emotionally, and ethically.
How This Helps You Choose a Therapist
Understanding how therapists set their fees can be helpful when you're looking for support. Here are a few important points to consider:
A lower fee doesn’t mean lower quality: A therapist charging less may simply be in a position to do so, and may be choosing to keep their services more accessible. This choice can reflect their values, not a lack of training or experience.
A higher fee isn’t always about status: Some therapists can only work part-time or have specific needs that require a higher hourly rate. A higher fee doesn’t automatically mean a better therapist.
Therapy is personal—so is your budget: Choose a therapist you feel comfortable with, at a fee that is affordable and sustainable for you over time. Don’t be afraid to ask about qualifications or even talk openly about money. These conversations can lead to valuable insights—not just about your therapist, but about your own attitudes to money and self-worth.
Final Thoughts
Therapy is an investment in your mental wellbeing, but it’s also a deeply personal journey. The fee your therapist charges is not a simple reflection of their competence or your value. It’s the result of careful, often thoughtful, reflection on what it means to offer healing in a sustainable and ethical way.
So, ask questions. Be curious. And know that your therapist has likely thought long and hard about the number on their website—not just for their sake, but for yours too.