[skysblue]

I've spent close to $3,000 since I began therapy 8 months ago. I wonder if it's worth it. Or is it just an expensive self-indulgent activity?

[wintergirl]

I think it's expensive AND self-indulgent, but it can lead to a more meaningful and purposeful life. How can you put a price on that?

[BlessedRhiannon]

It's worth it. I'm not even going to think about how much I managed to deduct from last year's taxes...suffice to say it was of sufficient amount to qualify for a medical deduction.

For me, anyway, I've seen enough results, that I've decided it's worth paying for. I could probably find someone less expensive, or someone that takes my insurance, but I've gone that route before and it wasn't a good experience. My T is phenomenal, and I'm willing to pay for that.

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by BlessedRhiannon

It's worth it. I'm not even going to think about how much I managed to deduct from last year's taxes...suffice to say it was of sufficient amount to qualify for a medical deduction.

For me, anyway, I've seen enough results, that I've decided it's worth paying for. I could probably find someone less expensive, or someone that takes my insurance, but I've gone that route before and it wasn't a good experience. My T is phenomenal, and I'm willing to pay for that.

Oh, we can deduct it from taxes? Good to know. My T is worth every cent - that's not the problem. She's worth even more than that. But I question whether someone like me without serious problems should be spending this kind of money. It's not like I'm rich or even close to it.

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I think it's expensive AND self-indulgent, but it can lead to a more meaningful and purposeful life. How can you put a price on that?

You've got a point. I suppose if we added up all the money we spend on 'entertainment' over a lifetime, it would be much more than that. I guess I'll continue as long as I can find the money - even cut back a little might help the finances a bit. I've become addicted to my sessions so I wonder if I'm just feeding an expensive addiction.

[protector1973]

can lose alot more gambling , must need threapy. so look at it as an investment in your future.

[Butterflies Are Free]

I agree that it is worth it - I spend about $200 - $250 a week for my T. plus my doc at times. I have gotten about half back in taxes for the past three years. My T. is wonderful and I have made a lot of progress while working with her. It is expensive, but I think you are worth it. If you really like your T. and you think she is worth it, then you are worth it too - working through your issues takes a lot of courage. Good luck!

[SillySelf]

Originally Posted by skysblue

I've spent close to $3,000 since I began therapy 8 months ago. I wonder if it's worth it. Or is it just an expensive self-indulgent activity?

Here is my trick. I go to a local non-profit mental health agency. If you are in the U.S.A you can ask the United Way about these or call up your local mental health agency and they will help you find them. I pay $10.00/week for therapy.

Before this place, I went to a local University that trained doctoral -level college students studying to get their PHd. Their clinic only charged me $20.00/week.

There is NO NEED to pay huge amounts for therapy. Some churches also have charitable counseling services. I have had good luck with all three. Give it a try !

[SillySelf]

I also wanted to add that these non-profit agencies or university clinics that train PH.D's or charitable church counseling is NOT ONLY FOR THE POORER.
Keep that in mind. A lot of people think you have to be poor to qualify for these things. That is not true. I knew someone that made $55,000/yr and still only paid $15.00/session.

The non-profits will go off of your income, but they are still dirt cheep even with a higher income. The university training clinics are a set fee for all regardless of income. In my case, it was $20.00 at the one I went to.

Churches, well, usually I believe all you have to do is ask them for counseling services and it is usually free, if not, dirt cheap. The churches that I know do this regardless of your income.

[crazycanbegood]

you can deduct a portion of your therapy as medical expenses if you meet a minimum set according to your salary. whatever is over that minimum you can deduct from your taxes. most people won't qualify unless therapy is very expensive as well as other medical costs/insurance etc

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by SillySelf

Here is my trick. I go to a local non-profit mental health agency. If you are in the U.S.A you can ask the United Way about these or call up your local mental health agency and they will help you find them. I pay $10.00/week for therapy.

Before this place, I went to a local University that trained doctoral -level college students studying to get their PHd. Their clinic only charged me $20.00/week.

There is NO NEED to pay huge amounts for therapy. Some churches also have charitable counseling services. I have had good luck with all three. Give it a try !

Too late for me - I'm already super attached to my T.

[rainbow8]

skysblue, I have the same concerns that you do. "Is my therapy just an expensive self-indulgent activity?" I wonder that too. I always said I was addicted to therapy, and that may be my worst problem. I spent an awfully lot on therapy for 15 years. My H thinks I go just because my T makes me feel good. He's partially right, but needing her so much is only temporary, I hope.

I don't see what's wrong with being in therapy as long as your T doesn't replace real life people. We pay a lot for an education, and I consider therapy an education. The curriculum is ME. If it helps to talk to a T regularly even though our problems are not serious, what could be the harm in doing so? IF, I repeat, if therapy doesn't become our whole life.

[SpiritRunner]

I only pay 20 per session, but that is still 40 a week right now, so 160 a month for a few months now - add in the 500 I know we will have to pay for my hospitalizations and it does start to add up!
I never knew that you could deduct taxes for therapy! But probably I haven't spent enough on it for that anyway.

[laceylu]

So glad I have insurance and a lovely T and pdoc that are on my plan. First time through I paid $50.00 a week plus meds. I used my student loans and did without other things. It was so worth it, even though I probably quit too soon because of money. I was laid off and the loans were done. It was life changing. I was really sick. And if I did it all over again I would still go to T and be broke. My first time cost about $7800.00 and that was 20 years ago.

It IS super expensive. When finances become tight, or the bill becomes stressful, I would encourage you to talk with your T about maybe how to manage? That you do find value in going, but at the same time, this can be a major stressor!

Allow yourself to really examine if you're getting the 'bang for your buck'. If your sessions feel helpful, focused, goal orientated, etc and symptoms are resolving or atleast going down that path - how do you price tag that?

Still - expenses like therapy, can be a huge source of stress.

[dizgirl2011]

Hey there,

I agree it's expensive but I try to look at it like this....

If I smoked or went out drinking every weekend - which I don't do but many people do- I would be out much more money than the money I pay for my session each week and it wouldn't help me half as much lol.

We often spend money on other things and dont realise how the costs can build up, or we happily give someone else money each week or spend money on others and dont realise the cost of it, which can be much more than therapy.

I don't think of it as self indulgent (which isn't a bad thing anyway) but as self care!

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by dizgirl2011

Hey there,

I agree it's expensive but I try to look at it like this....

If I smoked or went out drinking every weekend - which I don't do but many people do- I would be out much more money than the money I pay for my session each week and it wouldn't help me half as much lol.

We often spend money on other things and dont realise how the costs can build up, or we happily give someone else money each week or spend money on others and dont realise the cost of it, which can be much more than therapy.

I don't think of it as self indulgent (which isn't a bad thing anyway) but as self care!

You're absolutely right. It is so easy to see how much is spent on therapy because it's a wallop of an amount at a time. But what if I divided it by each day? Then it would be about $11.50 per day. I can easily spend that amount on non-essentials and if needed could eliminate those non-essentials.

[with or without you]

I've spent tens of thousands of dollars.

Fortunately I have insurance so I'm not paying full price out of pocket, but yes, it is still expensive. But I have never considered it self-indulgent. I have a mental illness that requires consistent treatment and monitoring. If this was a chronic physical illness I wouldn't question needing care, so I don't see how this is any different. What is helpful for me is that my insurance treats this as any medical illness. The co-pays and access is exactly the same. I find that refreshing and validating that mental illness is not seen as some forbidden diagnosis or treated any differently.

[wintergirl]

I have to add that I think it's actually really brave to be in therapy.

If you choose to be there, you're admitting you have a problem, and you're actively seeking outside help to break free from damaging patterns of behavior.

[splitimage]

I don't like to think of all the money I've spent on therapy since I've been in private therapy since 1998. But it's been hugely worthwhile in helping me. I used to go every week, then went down to every other week.

My usual rate is $160 / week, but since I've been unemployed, my T has cut the rate to $100 / week which is still really expensive. But I'd rather go without other stuff in order to continue T.

splitimage

[sunrise]

Yes, it's expensive, and yes, I do think that for myself, it is kind of self-indulgent. At this time, I could get by without it. I am not unstable.

I change my frequency of going to therapy to match my needs. There have been times when I dropped down to one appointment every 3-4 weeks. Now I am back up to going every 1-2 weeks because I am in greater need currently. I like that flexibility and find it easier to increase my frequency now than it would be to decide to restart therapy after quitting. So I keep going perhaps just to maintain the relationship and have T in my back pocket so I can pull him out when I may need him.

I am going through something super hard right now and had a session with T today, and it was INVALUABLE. Maybe some would christen that self indulgent, but I'm not going to examine that too closely. It is helping me so I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

For the last couple of years I have itemized deductions and gotten bucks back due to my medical expenses. That really helps a lot, since I pay out of pocket for my therapy.

[WePow]

For me, I did feel like that at one point. But my T walked me through those feelings.
The truth is that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Even if you don't have a cavity, you still should go to the dentis 2x a year to get your teeth cleaned.

If it brings you health, it is worth the money.

[rainbow_rose]

I don't think of therapy as self indulgent but more like self care. I've spent so long not taking care of me... to finally do so and have professional help is a great start to finally taking care of me. it's scary, painful and expensive but a big part of me feels that it is worth it.