[Merope]

I know this varies and each case is different, but I was just wondering if anyone has had positive experiences with therapists who offered reduced rates when clients were hit by financial difficulties.

I think I’m about to enter such a period and am really worried about not being able to afford seeing T the same as before. I feel like my life is such a mess that I can’t imagine not having his support at this time—it wouldn’t end well.

I also feel extremely awkward bringing this up with him because it feels like I’m asking for favours and I’m worried about what he’ll say. I really don’t like bringing money talk into the relationship. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Mountaindewed]

I talked one time with one of my T’s about what would happen if I lost my insurance and she said I could see a student therapist.

I don’t know how much they are but you might want to look into that. I know student dentists are pretty inexpensive. I’d assume student therapists are the same.

[Lostislost]

I'm in the UK and have been paying privately to see my T. Financial worries naturally come up in conversation as part of my therapy, especially when I couldn't work or last year with covid hugely affecting my income.

My T doesn't want me to worry about money on top of everything else. I pay him what I can afford...and if that has been zero some weeks, he's never made a big thing about it.

[Merope]

Originally Posted by Lostislost

I'm in the UK and have been paying privately to see my T. Financial worries naturally come up in conversation as part of my therapy, especially when I couldn't work or last year with covid hugely affecting my income.

My T doesn't want me to worry about money on top of everything else. I pay him what I can afford...and if that has been zero some weeks, he's never made a big thing about it.

Thank you, this is encouraging! I’m hoping for a similar situation. I could probably pay him, but maybe not fully. I’ve been seeing him for four years and we have a really good relationship. I think I’ll have to bring it up, but am scared he’ll think I’m trying to be cheeky and get out of paying fully. But maybe that’s my anxiety. I don’t think I could see another T.

[Lonelyinmyheart]

My T offered a reduced rate from the outset when I explained my situation. She didn't advertise reduced rates on her website at the time either. I think many therapists do this especially when you've been seeing them for a while and in the context of the pandemic your situation will be far from unusual. Definitely speak to him about it.

[Lostislost]

Originally Posted by Merope

Thank you, this is encouraging! I’m hoping for a similar situation. I could probably pay him, but maybe not fully. I’ve been seeing him for four years and we have a really good relationship. I think I’ll have to bring it up, but am scared he’ll think I’m trying to be cheeky and get out of paying fully. But maybe that’s my anxiety. I don’t think I could see another T.

It's definitely scary and awkward to bring up, but hopefully they will make you feel less anxious about it all! Like lonelyinmyheart, my T doesn't advertise reduced rates or anything, so don't worry about that bit. I wouldn't want to change Ts either.

[ScarletPimpernel]

With L, it has always been a reduced rate. I challenged her at the start saying why does she think she deserves a higher fee than T. She never put up a fight.

L has given me a reduced sliding scale fee when H was out of a job and we were running out of money. She'll do it again if the need arises.

L has some slots dedicated to sliding scale. She also does pro bono, but she requires that you pay something even if it's $5. She believes that as part of the relationship's structure, a client needs to pay for a fee.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

L has some slots dedicated to sliding scale. She also does pro bono, but she requires that you pay something even if it's $5. She believes that as part of the relationship's structure, a client needs to pay for a fee.

This sounds similar to my T. He said that he only charged one client $5 a session for a few months when he was in a really bad place. And how some clients pay less than half his regular fee (in some cases, they were seeing him as teens, when their parents paid, then continued when they went to college or were on their own). He shared that when there was a chance my H could get laid off (he makes more than me, and our insurance is through him), and I asked in a panic if there was any way I could keep seeing him at a reduced rate if that happened. He said yes, that we'd work something out.


He has actually given me a somewhat reduced rate ($25 under his usual rate) since my insurance changed its reimbursement level a couple years ago (he's out of network, but I get partial reimbursement from insurance). Then, when I had to replace my car unexpectedly last summer (and was unable to sell or get insurance payout for the old one--long story involving water damage), I asked if he could reduce it a bit further, and we compromised on a temporary rate (about an extra $20 off). Then I asked a few times about possibly extending that rate, and he agreed, eventually saying we would go back to the original discounted rate in May, which we did.

So I would ask for sure. You could always ask for it to be a temporary period if you think he'd be more agreeable to that, like "Can you give me this rate for 3 to 6 months?" then reevaluate after. I'd also suggest having a particular rate in mind when you ask him. Another option, if he's not willing to reduce your rate (or to not reduce as much as you'd need), is to see if he'd be willing to let you carry a balance that you could pay back when your financial situation changes.

[CharlieStarDust]

I had a pretty positive experience with this. I had switched jobs and had to take a pay cut. I think I mentioned in passing the extra stress I had. Then a few sessions down the road she suggested something and in a moment of panic I blurted that I didn’t have the money. And then a couple sessions after that she offered to reduce the rate. I think I said no initially, because of my pride, but quickly relented because I needed the help. Then I went back to her regular fee. And after a while I needed to see her more often so she offered to reduce again. And at that stage offered me that rate indefinitely. Once I got a better job, I started working towards paying her her regular fee.
Money is a funny thing for me too, and it was hard to ask for it and equally hard to accept. But at the end of the day, you’re T can say yes, or no. And if he says no, he can come up with solutions. I’m sure you’re not the first or the last person to ask for a reduced price - especially during these trying times.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I talked one time with one of my T’s about what would happen if I lost my insurance and she said I could see a student therapist.....

That's cold-blooded.

[Quietmind 2]

After a long time of paying my T's full rate, I moved away from my abusive family. Other circumstances meant I wasn't earning enough to pay my bills, so I was using my savings. I was aware she had a sliding scale, as she had offered it to an acquaintance.

So I emailed my T and she offered a slightly reduced rate. I still couldn't afford that, so I offered to see her less frequently. She said to come in to discuss.

During the session, I was really uncomfortable because I find it real hard to talk about money. But I did talk about my situation, and how I couldn't cut any more of my other fixed expenses. I could cut down on food but she said therapy fees shouldn't be so onerous that I'm crying over the cost and wondering if I could eat less. She said she trusted that I'd done my budgeting, and asked what I could afford. Told her my absolute maximum and she put me on 2/3rd of it.

[RoxanneToto]

I’ve found the therapists I’ve seen to be pretty understanding. My current T gave me reduced price sessions initially because we started on Zoom, then she said I could keep paying her the same amount when I saw her in person because I don’t earn much. She normally does charge more for in person appointments though.
Another person I saw (once) was asking £30 a session, and I went for what I thought was an initial consultation and, out of character for me, I didn’t think to check what money was in my wallet before I went. So she let me pay what I had on hand and said don’t worry about the rest I’m not recommending that approach, however! I was hugely embarrassed by it. I’m just trying to say people can be surprisingly flexible, especially when it’s clear you’re not just chancing your arm.

[LonesomeTonight]

[QUOTE=RoxanneToto;7087623]I’ve found the therapists I’ve seen to be pretty understanding. My current T gave me reduced price sessions initially because we started on Zoom, then she said I could keep paying her the same amount when I saw her in person because I don’t earn much. She normally does charge more for in person appointments though.
Another person I saw (once) was asking £30 a session, and I went for what I thought was an initial consultation and, out of character for me, I didn’t think to check what money was in my wallet before I went. So she let me pay what I had on hand and said don’t worry about the rest I’m not recommending that approach, however! I was hugely embarrassed by it. I’m just trying to say people can be surprisingly flexible, especially when it’s clear you’re not just chancing your arm.[/Q

She charges more for in-person sessions than for Zoom ones generally? Interesting! I hadn't heard of any T's doing that. I'm glad she was able to work with you on cost though.

[starfishing]

My therapist reduced his rate when I was simultaneously having insurance issues and my household income had gone down, which was very helpful. I brought it up over email and then he followed up with the discussion at the beginning of the next session. It was awkward, but he was reassuring about it and made sure I knew he wouldn't offer a fee that was lower than he could sustain. He was somewhat flexible about the amount over time, so one month I paid 60% of the full rate, most others 80%. He also let me wait to pay in full until my insurance payments came through, which made things much easier at times.

Now that things are caught up, after my insurance reimbursements kick in I end up paying an amount that's affordable for me, and he's making 90% of his full self-pay fee. I feel more reassured now knowing that although his full fee is very expensive, it's not immovable.

[Merope]

Thank you everyone! I had a conversation with T about it and I mentioned being worried about affording therapy, but he immediately replied that he operates on a sliding scale and that we would find a solution if my circumstances change. I feel extremely relieved, I am so grateful!

[LonesomeTonight]

Oh, I'm glad to hear that, Merope!