where does the money come from for your therapy?

pbutton · Mar 01, 2013, 02:43 PM

I work a full-time job that I don't particularly love. It probably messes with my anxiety at times. However, it provides great insurance and a good salary that make paying for therapy a non-issue.

Ineptitude · Mar 01, 2013, 02:54 PM

My psychologist charges $85 per session to folks without insurance that pay up front in cash.

I sold all of my belongings, so I am forced to have to borrow money to pay in the hopes I will become a functional enough member of society to be able to leave my house and work again so I can pay it back.

"Tilly may" · Mar 01, 2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrise

I pay $125-$180 per session, depending on the length, and all is out-of-pocket. I have sessions every 2-4 weeks and can vary the interval to help save money. Right now I am in the middle of a 4 wk interval and am appreciating having the extra money in my pocketbook. Usually, I deduct from savings to pay, as my salary doesn't cover all my living expenses and daughter's college tuition. I try to find ways to cut back on expenses, such as stopping newspaper delivery, letting magazine subscriptions lapse, stopping Netflix, downgrading my CostCo membership, not going to the doctor, etc. I also stopped taking one of my more expensive medications, and this helped with the cash flow too. Every little bit helps! I haven't done this for therapy, but in the past, when I needed extra cash, I would do focus groups at a market research firm. Another thing I used to do was buy popular concert tickets and then resell them on eBay at a profit.

cool and very creative!

healed84 · Mar 01, 2013, 04:12 PM

I have a $20 co-pay each visit and I pay for it. I just moved to two sessions a week and felt like we could afford it, bit now.. We are doing marriage counseling starting on Monday.. That is put of pocket...$75. And- my h I'd DoD employee and it is looking like is is going to get a 20% pay cut starting at the end of April... Sooo, it is starting to look like we will have to cut backy session to at least once a week or may every other.

trdleblue · Mar 01, 2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbutton

I work a full-time job that I don't particularly love. It probably messes with my anxiety at times. However, it provides great insurance and a good salary that make paying for therapy a non-issue.

Ditto for me minus the insurance and great salary. I am on my own, and I have one full time job. I'm lucky that my T and the group I'm joining work with me, and the already low rate I was paying has been reduced. I think regardless I would try to make t work, even if it meant paying more. I'm worried about my life in the future if I don't continue with this. If I had to get a second job to pay for t, then I would.

stopdog · Mar 01, 2013, 04:59 PM

I am employed and have very few expenses.

CantExplain · Mar 01, 2013, 05:00 PM

I pay the whole sum out of my own pocket. (My wife's purse too, I guess.)

Permanent Pajamas · Mar 01, 2013, 05:12 PM

Where does the money for your therapy come from?

I pay a $600+ per month health insurance premium. My therapy/doc visits eat almost all of that, so I guess it's fair.

ThisWayOut · Mar 01, 2013, 05:19 PM

I used to have a sliding scale with my old therapist, and she also billed me, because I was in a really bad space and she did not want me to do it on my own. We will be paying her back with part of my wife's 401k from the job she just lost. My current therapist is through a non-profit and I am on a sliding scale. I pay $8/session, it is their lowest fee. I have no insurance and no income. I applied for state benefits to hopefully help tide us over until we can both find jobs. Since we have no income, I borrow from my mom, or I can pay once the 401k comes in... We suck at finances and budgeting, but this has been a priority for me. I've been lucky enough to be able to connect with treaters that have some flexibility with payment, and can help see me through the rough times.

Victoria'smom · Mar 01, 2013, 07:16 PM

My insurance pays for 15 sessions which is about every 3 weeks. My therapist gets prior authorized for a couple more so I can see T every 2 weeks but I take December, June, and July off.

sittingatwatersedge · Mar 01, 2013, 08:52 PM

from my pocket.
Wayyyy too private for any other setup. I don't want anyone else
knowing about my therapy,
guessing what I need,
telling my T what to charge,
or me when to stop.

except all of you, of course, lol

Jolisse · Mar 02, 2013, 09:42 AM

I pay out of pocket and it's expensive.....$200 an hour.

Mar 02, 2013, 09:54 AM

Full time job, and i dont spend much on myself.

sconnie892 · Mar 02, 2013, 11:02 AM

I work full time. My insurance does not offer any mental health coverage, so I pay the $140 out of pocket twice a month. ($280/month).

I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores and garage sales, do most of my cooking from scratch at home, have a garden with veggies, walk all the errands I can, make gifts and cards, don't have cable TV, dropped my YMCA membership, and I pay cash for almost everything. When I am outta cash, I am done buying for that month. That keeps me in my budget.

Even though I am forced to sacrifice some things, it is totally worth it and I know seeing t is not forever. And it is nice to be free of the restrictions insurance can place on therapy.

Willowleaf · Mar 02, 2013, 11:41 AM

I'm a single parent who works full time. I pay out of my own pocket and feel guilty I am not spending it on the children.

ECHOES · Mar 02, 2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willowleaf

I'm a single parent who works full time. I pay out of my own pocket and feel guilty I am not spending it on the children.

I can understand that guilt. But really, they are benefiting indirectly

meganmf15 · Mar 02, 2013, 02:45 PM

I pay 600$/week out of pocket! 3 visits per week 200$ a pop.

How's that for loving your T?

Pam

sittingatwatersedge · Mar 02, 2013, 06:42 PM

(((((((((((((((((( sconnie )))))))))))))))))

i am wishing you the greatest benefits from your therapy. Go you!!!

sittingatwatersedge · Mar 02, 2013, 06:43 PM

Willow - pls read Sconnie's post. What you are doing is not selfish. If you are wounded from your childhood, be comforted in the fact that YOUR children will never have those experiences.

CantExplain · Mar 02, 2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willowleaf

I'm a single parent who works full time. I pay out of my own pocket and feel guilty I am not spending it on the children.

Oh, but you are spending it on your children.
You're getting therapy so they don't have to.
It's a great investment in their future!

CantExplain · Mar 02, 2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meganmf15

I pay 600$/week out of pocket! 3 visits per week 200$ a pop.

How's that for loving your T?

Pam

It's commitment, certainly.

buy_time · Mar 02, 2013, 07:30 PM

$120/50 min at bottom price. I pay for it by working about 15 hours a week. I am a student and thankfully I found a job--it's crazy, but it's worth it.

lostin08 · Mar 02, 2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

I have Medicare but it does not cover T sessions because she has a Master's degree and medicare only covers those who supervised by MD/DO. So I pay $50 cash each session

With medicare you need to see a licened clinical social worker. I also have medicare.

Willowleaf · Mar 03, 2013, 03:40 AM

Thanks folks. You are all right. SAW, I know deep down this will benefit the kids more than money. Hopefully I won't mess them up quite like I was!
Sconnie you are amazing. I think you are quite right. Well done for getting your priorities right and just think one day when we are done, and I hope there will be a one day, we will have all this extra money

likelife · Mar 03, 2013, 02:28 PM

I have health insurance, but a huge deductible, $4000 I think. So I end up paying the "discounted" insurance rate, which is about 80% of T's normal rate. I work part-time in a professional field, and do well enough to mostly be able to afford T. When I was still in grad school, I kept my expenses to an absolute minimum to be able to afford it.

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where does the money come from for your therapy?

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