I hope I am not going to offend you on this. I really do feel for you, the predicament you are in. However, there is a reality here. Yes, in our dreamy world, we like to think we are "special" and our therapists really care about us. But in truth, bottom line, it is a business they are running. They, like many of us in other professions, have paid alot of money for education plus have either rent or mortgage to pay for their office, utility bills and much more of the like. Just like you and me. Yes, they are in the business of helping people, but that in no way means they should suffer any less than another person in other professions that have to make difficult decissions for financial gain. That is why we work. To get paid. We go to them because they are [I]professionals. Think of it this way.....say you are a designer and have had several clients come to you for your services......and you only have time in your schedule for one of them........who would you choose? The lowest paying one? I think not. Designers go into their profession because they have a love for it. Do you think they wrong for making the decission that sounds most sensible?
I know this may sound harsh and I am sorry for that. I just don't know how to word this delicatly. I feel therapists deserve the same professional respect and the right to bill how they choose. It is unfortunate for alot of us that really need this help, but it is just the cold hard truth. They are trying to earn a living just like you and me. Most therapists are in it because they felt compelled in some way to help others....but the reality is, there is a business side to it.
Insurance companies have made this field a nightmare for both patients and clinicians. They have caused this. I can't even find a pdoc within 30 miles of my home that takes ANY insurance. It's horrible. I stress big time if I will be able to afford my next appointment or not. But I do not blame the Dr. I blame the insurance companies for not paying them fairly.
In your case though, it sounds like you have other issues with your therapist that are not just financial and that is what you should focus on. Does this therapist deserve the rate they are demanding? Just like the designer I talked about---I wouldn't choose one that did not care about the outcome and wouldn't work with me in the way I needed for the best results.
That is what I hope you will dig deeper into.
It's so hard to find the right T for ourself, let alone one we can afford.
I hope this did not offend you. I just felt so strongly about this, I had to respond. I'm not good at writing so I did the best I could here. Sorry it's so long.
I wish you well with this. I really feel for you and your situation.
You deserve good care. That is the most important bottom line.