[fallenangel337]

Does anybody here know how much T's make on average? I'm just curious...it's something that I've wondered, but it would be rude to just ask T.

I can see it now..."Hey, T....how much do you make?"

Hmmmm...my T is in private practice, so he only gets paid when he is WITH a client.

I pay $60, but that is a reduced rate. His normal rate is $90.

So if he sees clients 28 hours a week (he told me that number once) and takes 4 weeks of vacation a year, I'd guess he makes between $80,000 and $100,000??? But he has to pay rent, insurance, etc, etc out of that, since everything comes out of his own pocket.

[deliquesce]

it is very, very, very variable here in australia. it depends on what type of T you are (counselling psychologists make a lot less than clinical psychologists), where you work (hospitals < clinics < private practice), years of experience (we have a system where you get re-classified as a higher grade every few years if you can prove yourself worthy) etc.

so anything between 50k - 120k is about "standard". i am sure some therapists make a lot more.

in general, however, private practice Ts charge $160 but this is meant to cover insurance, costs of room hire, and also it is understand that it is a one hour session, and one hour work out of session (client notes, letters, liasing with docs etc).

[sw628]

But remember, they have to pay taxes too.

[deliquesce]

yes, as far as how much training they have to through to become qualified, how expensive and competitive everything is... it's certainly not the sort of area you join because you are in it for the money.

[fallenangel337]

Of course not. I was just curious about how much they make. I can imagine they make a comfortable living, because they're doctors...I just couldn't find any numbers anywhere.

[deliquesce]

^ woops, that's ok!! i'm sorry if it came across that i was putting words into your mouth. some ppl that i talk to (mainly other psych students) hear "$160 an hour" and their eyes light up with little dollar signs.

as for being drs, is it different in the states? over here you can become a practicing psychologist only if you do a Masters. i.e., doing a PhD will not get you registered - you need to incorporate an extra year or two of Masters training also. So there aren't many psychologists here who can use the title "Dr".

Not all therapists are doctors.
I'm an MSW.

It varies by degree, licensure, private practice v. agency, population served, etc.
It could be 30,000 to 120,000 depending.

[fallenangel337]

Originally Posted by stormyangels

Not all therapists are doctors.
I'm an MSW.

It varies by degree, licensure, private practice v. agency, population served, etc.
It could be 30,000 to 120,000 depending.

oops!

I just assumed that because I want to get a Psy D, everybody else has something of equal or greater value. I'm not narcissistic at all.

[TrespassersWill]

My therapist is a phD and charges $140 for 50 mins. I would guestimate she makes in excess of 100,000 a year.

[Hearty]

Hi Fallen,

My T is a psychologist in the west coast. I pay $125/hr.

I called a dozen or so MSWs, psychologists, and psychoanalysts,
and they charge around $70-$180 per hour.

Are you thinking about your future salary before school starts?

Morningcalm

[fallenangel337]

I honestly don't even know what my T charges, because insurance pays most of it. All i know is that i have a $35 copay. *shrugs*

[fallenangel337]

Originally Posted by morningcalm

Hi Fallen,

My T is a psychologist in the west coast. I pay $125/hr.

I called a dozen or so MSWs, psychologists, and psychoanalysts,
and they charge around $70-$180 per hour.

Are you thinking about your future salary before school starts?

Morningcalm

As a matter of interest, I was thinking about it. It's always good to know what you'll be making, so there are no surprises 10 years down the road when it actually happens. xD

you probably already know this but psychologists (phds) make more than psychotherapists (masters degree) because of their extra schooling. my psychologist charges $150 for 45 minutes. she's expensive but gives me a reduced rate of $100. rates probably vary from anywhere between $75 - 200 depending on their degree and experience and what part of the country one lives in.

[Brightheart]

My therapist was a clinical psychologist (there was a 'Dr.' before his name as well) and his charge was $120 an hour. I only paid $20, though, because I have insurance. Being that his office is in cow country, he probably has less than a dozen clients at a time. Then there would be the cost of renting out the building. When it comes down to it, I don't think he's making huge money. He also works at a school.

[Hearty]

Originally Posted by fallenangel337

As a matter of interest, I was thinking about it. It's always good to know what you'll be making, so there are no surprises 10 years down the road when it actually happens. xD

Hi Fallen,

I think it's wise to plan ahead...you're a smart cookie!

Thanks for asking this question, btw. It's interesting to
know what other people are paying.

((Fallen))

Morningcalm

[pachyderm]

What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? - Ursula K. LeGuin

Exactly.

[emilyjeanne]

Originally Posted by fallenangel337

Of course not. I was just curious about how much they make. I can imagine they make a comfortable living, because they're doctors...I just couldn't find any numbers anywhere.

I do therapy with my Pdoc. I pay her $250 per 45 min. session. I don't know how many hours per day.

[Amazonmom]

My T gets 120 $ per hour, she also handles my med adjustments during that hour. I see her weekly. Insurance pays for 25 visits a year ,25 dollar copay. I don't know where the money comes from after that.

[Quorrah]

You can get some answers on the Occupational Outlook Handbook online. Just google it.

[TrespassersWill]

Originally Posted by fallenangel337

I honestly don't even know what my T charges, because insurance pays most of it. All i know is that i have a $35 copay. *shrugs*

Check the statements insurance sends in the mail to see what she charges for each session to find the total cost. That's how I know.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by TrespassersWill

Check the statements insurance sends in the mail to see what she charges for each session to find the total cost. That's how I know.

Also, the T should tell a new client at the first meeting how much he/she charges. There should be complete transparency on this. The client may feel awkward about this topic, but the T does not at all, so will be very open if the client asks about fees.

[fallenangel337]

Originally Posted by sunrise

Also, the T should tell a new client at the first meeting how much he/she charges. There should be complete transparency on this. The client may feel awkward about this topic, but the T does not at all, so will be very open if the client asks about fees.

This is true. I'm pretty sure it's consistent among all of the doctors in the practice, so it would be no different than my previous T. Also, my parents are the ones who handle oll of the financial stuff. I just get a check every week to give to the secretary.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by fallenangel337

Also, my parents are the ones who handle oll of the financial stuff. I just get a check every week to give to the secretary.

Enjoy those days while they last! There is this awkward period where the parent's offspring is an adult--over 18--but yet still a dependent and still on the parent's insurance plan. My oldest daughter is 18 and in this phase now. Recently, there were a bunch of medical charges to her college account from the student health center. I didn't want to pay these unless she had actually gone for services (they make mistakes all the time, so I wanted to verify this), so I asked my daughter if she had gone for services on these dates, and I told her I hoped she was OK, but also said that I was not asking her what she had gone for and that she did not have to share that with me as it was her own health and confidential. I wanted her to know I wasn't prying. She said OK, yes she had received services on these dates, and did not offer any explanation as to her health issues. It does make a parent wonder! I just hope she is OK and would share with me anything critical, like if she had some sort of serious disease.