NWR Poll: How much would you pay for couple therapy?

polichik

I need to start setting my fee scale for the new practice that I'm working at, and I'm trying to come up with some reasonable numbers. Pre-licensed therapists around here charge anywhere between $20 to $200 for a session, and I feel like I should be somewhere in the middle! I'm getting really varied responses from my friends in the field, so I figured I'd ask you ladies

So, what is the maximum fee you'd be willing to pay to see a pre-licensed therapist (somebody who has their master's degree and is practicing while getting supervised hours to get a full license)?

polichik

I agree, I'd definitely work on a sliding scale. I can't stand how inaccessible therapy can be for people who don't have a lot of extra income, so I need to balance that with needing to make my minimums.

crfische

My take on it is this.

If we were seriously looking for a marriage counselor, I would want someone who was fully licensed. Plain and simple. IT'S YOUR MARRIAGE. And that is some serious business.

I've been in the position that you are though, and I know people need to have that experience, and truly, someone straight out of school can be better than someone who has been in the field a long time recycling the same stuff. IIIIII know that because I know the field. People looking for a counselor aren't going to know that.

I will tell you, that when I was in that position, I was glad to get ANYTHING. Anything at all. Never, ever would I have charged 100 plus dollars to see me without a license. Not that my work wasn't good, but I think you just expect that starting out, and then make up for it when you do have your license.

tenofcups4me

My ex- and I went to couple's therapy, and a few years back DH and I also went for a little while when we hit a rough patch. I don't remember exactly what we paid, but I'd feel comfortable up to about $100, maybe more. I would expect numbers in Cal. to be pretty high. Honestly, anything less than $70 or so and I probably wouldn't want to go to you because I'd think you weren't very professional (there's a word for that, but I can't think what it is -- reverse something).

crfische

I think you just have to keep in mind if people have a choice between someone licensed and someone non-licensed, they are going to choose the licensed person every single time, unless there is a reason not to, KWIM?

ootmother2

Question:

are pre licensed therapists covered by insurance?


That could be a problem if not

leah2b

Also, I think the level of education would count for me.  I would likely expect to pay more for a Ph.D than something less than that.  I understand that therapists with less than a Ph.D can be just as good (if not better), but I would expect to pay more for a doctor. Finally, some insurance programs will not reimburse for an unlicensed professional, so you may need to charge less until you get the actual license.

Finally, I might expect to pay less for someone starting out in the business.  While I agree with pp's that new therapists can be just as good, experience does count for something.  If I found a therapist that had great reviews and a long track record of satified clients, I would pay more to go to them.

That being said, I would pay around $80 to $100/hr for master's degree/ pre-license  new therapist.  I live in the New York City area.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

i get what Fishy is saying, but I would likely go to anyone who specialized in marital therapy, no matter their age or rank, KWIM? If I got a good deal (I'm thinking $60-$75 would be reasonable), even better.

How many sessions do people normally do? Because just wanting to go for 3 sessions for some tune-up and interpersonal communication skills vs. being on the virge of a divorce and having to go to as many as needed (10? 20?) might also make a difference. In the latter case, it would be more expensive for more sessions, but I'd also want the best person possible for the job. Oh, and how long are the sessions? An hour?

polichik

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, ladies! This has been really, really helpful, and I really appreciate the different perspectives.

Pre-licensed professionals are usually not able to bill for insurance. In the neighborhood that the office is located in, most licensed therapists charge $140 and up, although some will slide lower (therapists in other neighborhood charge much less, it's just this one in particular that's steep). Mery, I've worked with people from 1 to 68 sessions at one 50-minute session per week, but couples usually come from 3-25 times.

Thanks again, everyone!

emilyinchile

Poli, I have to wonder how many of the people taking the poll know that you're in SF, which is a HCOL area. I said $61-$80 because for the area I think that's reasonable. I would have said less in a different place where all costs are lower.

Mrs.B6302007

Poli - you're in SF?  I knew you were in CA but I don't think I realized where. We were just in SF last week.