Why is Therapy so Expensive?
Why is Therapy so Expensive?
This question has plagued therapy participants and those who have desired to participate in therapy for hundreds of years! Well, maybe not hundreds, but maybe tens of years at the very least. Since I was introduced to this art form of healing, the cost has been the elephant in the room. Sadly this elephant has also been the barrier keeping far too many away from quality services and the cause of much injury to the reputations of therapists who have dared to build wealth from their craft. While I believe that cost should not be a barrier to anyone accessing care to enhance mental wellness, I know that the investment is sometimes hard to justify.
A Quick Look at Mental Illness
The mind can be a beautiful and frightening place influencing actions, decisions, and even relationships. If left untreated, mental health dis-ease can result in physical illnesses, broken relationships, and a decline in one’s overall functioning. Therapy can provide a haven in which one is allowed the opportunity to identify the cause of their emotions, process them and learn skills to move them forward.
Thankfully in the 21st century, there has been increased recognition of mental illness as a valid health concern that must be addressed, managed, and treated. In 2020, approximately 53 million Americans were recorded to have various mental illnesses ranging from moderate to severe. The National Institute of Mental Health collated this record and added that only half of this number is receiving treatment.
Have you had any distressing emotions that don’t seem to go away for weeks at a time? Are you entertaining thoughts of anxiety, worry, or any negative behavior that affects your physical wellbeing or current relationships? If these thoughts are recurring and long-lasting, you could benefit from contacting a therapist near you!
So here we are again. Adding yet another “struggle” to the already stressful issue of mental illness… cost. You may be asking yourself, “Do I really need therapy? I have friends!” Refer to my blog, Therapy Myths!
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The Effectiveness of Mental Health Therapy
The American Psychological Association has recorded different studies showing that an estimated 75% of the population who undergo psychotherapy treatment reports getting improvement at the end of their treatment.
The PubMed Central also collected about 50 research reviews showing that the practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has effectively treated adults with substance abuse disorder.
Another research of at least 38 studies shows that interpersonal psychotherapy is effective in treating adults who are going through depression, whether the treatment is standalone or done alongside a medication.
In other words, if you want a trusted therapist who is truly at the front line of their specialization, then it is best to pay for one. You know how the saying goes, “You get what you pay for!” The alternative is trusting someone who only plays a therapist on social media. #DontAtMe
So why is therapy so expensive?
Let’s Do the Math: The Cost of Therapy
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Undergoing mental health therapy means that you will be under the supervision of a professional who is legally licensed by the state. The license ensures that you will be taken care of by someone competent in the field. Due to the different training and preparations, acquiring licensing requires an investment of time, effort, and of course, finances.
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For someone to be a licensed professional counselor, they have to enroll in a relevant field, in a recognized university in their state, acquire a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree for specialization, and some more years of internship. The tuition cost for this education ranges from $9,000 - $25,000 per year, depending on the state and specialization. There’s also the exam just to become a licensed associate clinician, which starts at $375, and the continued supervision hours for full licensure ranging from $60-$160 an hour. South Carolina requires 1,380 supervision hours.
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Once licensed, a mental health counselor is still required to pay fees to maintain their license and upgrade their education. In South Carolina alone, reinstatement fees for licensed counselors begin at $150. The fees for business licensure begin at $150 in certain states.
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Your licensed therapist will also allow time to review and research your condition to provide the best course of action to attain your optimum mental wellness. Time is a valuable asset that does come at a cost.
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While this is an intangible expense, the strength and effort spent to facilitate a person’s mental treatment, absorbing the different ranges of emotions, and finding outlets to release these negative emotions would be costly to a licensed therapist’s overall wellbeing. Therapists have therapists, too, and while this is to maintain their mental wellness, it benefits the client as well.
In Conclusion…
Therapy is expensive, but it is an investment in your mental wellbeing and integral to building your psychological fortitude. You deserve to get the best treatment available to you. Furthermore, while therapy sessions do come with a cost, various therapists offer different payment options.
If you’re seeking a licensed professional therapist in South Carolina, click “Get Started” to schedule your consult and inquire further. If I’m not the therapist for you, I’ll help you find the one who is!
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