In the past I had a therapist who did not charge me for a whole year and then when I was well enough to get a job, I paid her a much lower fee.

I understand why other people would be uncomfortable with this or feel it wasn't the right boundaries. I for one didn't suffer any repercussions. This therapist never mistreated me in 12 years. It didn't cause any issues that I can think of.

I think it depends on how your mind works, at least a little bit. In a previous job I did a significant amount of pro bono work. Not because I'm a very nice person or even generous, but because I saw an opportunity to help people out who would find it really difficult to pay and because I could do so without much inconvenience and no direct cost to myself. It felt good to do this and I only ever had an issue with one person. That person was uncomfortable with their inability to pay and projected it onto me. I had to get quite "real" with them to disabuse them of their fantasy that I looked down on them or was anything other than happy to help. I also explained that I got something out of it too - experience with a wide variety of hardware and software. If I had the opportunity to do something similar in my current position, I wouldn't hesitate.

I think that therapist saw charging me the same way I did with my clients. I didn't have a problem accepting what she gave me, and she didn't have a problem giving it. I didn't begrudge her for helping me and she didn't begrudge me for accepting that help. I assume she benefitted similarly to how I did with my pro bono work - primarily that she felt good about making a difference for someone who needed it. I very much doubt she was deprived due to not getting money from me.

What to her was a little was a lot to me. Of course, doing this for me necessarily meant she could not do it for someone else. Or she might have helped other people in the same way but the point is there's a limit.

I get the impression based on how I always hear other people talk about this topic that this is unusual and somehow wrong. I just don't think it's such a simple yes/no answer except per individual.

That said, this is never an expectation I have. I had to stop seeing my psychiatrist of 12 years because I couldn't afford her when I was in school. It sucked, but I certainly didn't hold it against her. As soon as I graduated and got a job, I went right back to her.