That's great that you are so close to your goal! I know it has been tough. Maybe more people are beginning to contact her so she needs to raise them to avoid having to turn anyone away. So it could just be a supply and demand type of situation. You're not inferior for not being able to afford her new rates, because those new rates are not directed toward you. She probably wants to be consistent and does not feel it is fair to repeat clients to raise rates so frequently, but needs to do something to control her work load.

It's good that you are able to talk about all of this with her. I know how tough it is to discuss financial matters with a therapist or anyone for that matter. I struggle with it myself and try to avoid that topic.

You really love this therapist and feel she is competent, has great qualities, and most importantly she knows and understands you very well by now; but the financial stress weighs on you so much, even after finding a middle ground with her or being reassured there is no problem. So the best way to decide if you would like to look for a new Therapist that accepts your insurance is by a cost/benefit analysis. It will be hard to transition to a new Therapist but maybe it would be worth it in the end.

Did you go with the online therapy because it is more flexible and works better with your schedule? Or are there any other reasons in particular you chose it instead of going through insurance?