Ugh, the pressure of proving you can't afford to pay? You're not allowed to live your life (take any trip) for the fear that you will be asked to pay more?

I would have felt terribly shamed as well.

It's hard. Do you value this relationship enough to have to deal with the money issues or would it be simpler to move on to someone else and know you're going to pay X regardless?

I pay a reduced fee, but I've never been shamed about it and T's never threatened to re-increase the fee. However, he also knows I struggle to pay the current fee and often have to miss weeks or breaks based on finances.

If I felt shamed, I'd probably space out my session and eventually stop going. Shaming really isn't a healthy part of a therapeutic relationship.

Do you think you can bring this up with her and maybe she could clarify that she didn't mean it the way it came out?

From an outside perspective, I think I might move on, but I'd be unsure. It's so hard being attached to someone.