Can you Charge that Much When You're First Starting as a Therapist? Extended Cut

This is the minimally-edited, podcast-style version of my video "Can you Charge that Much When You're First Starting as a Therapist?" You can catch the shorter and snappier version of the video here:
• Can you Charge that Mu...
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This video is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field.
Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
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This video is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

[@kimpriscila4474]

As someone who has been to therapy over the years for 15+ years I would have never thought that therapist don’t make a lot of money. Where I live therapists charge $120-180 and not all of them take insurance. My current therapist charges $180 and she is cash pay only. She’s incredible and I recommend her to everyone! On another note, I just discovered your videos and love them!

[@embodiedtarot]

This! Thank you so much for addressing the systemic issues that put pressure on us a clinicians. I’ve been feeling that pressure and often feel squeezed by it. This video helped me feel validated in some of the fee choices I’ve been making.

[@kurtish2930]

Thank you for covering this topic! I graduate from grad school in May 2024 and would like to get into private practice sooner rather than later, and establishing the session rate is one of my major concerns. I'm like #19!

[@eolauryn4]

I can’t thank you enough for breathing life into this topic. It’s very difficult to make decisions with hourly rate in today’s economy. I’ve gone from working in group pp insurance based, to solo and my clients nearly fell over realizing I was going cash pay. Some understood the “ever so reduced rate” but shifted to bi weekly and some agreed to pay full rate, but hope To accomplish more, quickly. I’m grateful I have dual income household, but it’s tough out there. Sometime I feel like I need to provide this “spiel” within this video. But now, I can just send them the time stamp for a listen, instead! Thank you for this!!!!

[@BleddyBear81]

Just charge the local going rate. How is this even a concern? I have been practicing for a few months now and charge more than the going rate and my schedule is filled with people knocking on my door.

[@jessman8597]

As a client, this is a very difficult topic to navigate. I was working 45 hours a week and spending 50% of my net pay on therapy. I want my therapist to make a livable wage too, but then how do I live? I have no answers. The sad reality is that many of the people who need the most help will have to suffer because they can't afford the health. It's a system that can only work for higher income clients.

[@drkatrinapt]

Totally - even though I have a decent rate I charge, I have at least $40k of expenses + taxes, which adds up! And I have to pay off grad school loans and invest my money for my future!

[@ogonebasiamang2163]

This was very insightful

[@mikeracki5226]

Thank you for addressing this issue! I often wonder where affordable therapy intersects with a livable wage for us? There are many factors as you know- where we live/practice, and quite frankly, I look at the health care system as a whole and have long concluded that we therapists are undervalued and need to be compensated for what we do much more so than managed care historically has provided. Helping others? Ofcourse. Making a decent living? Definitely - MUST happen if we want to encourage others into our field. My granddaughter started college last year and asked me about becoming a therapist. I had to pause but reiterated the pros/cons, basically. I also referred her to your channel. I would be proud, but the high hurdles and low pay initially? I continue to love your advocacy for us - Thank You!

[@Mscursed2]

Love this series

[@chicanica64]

Would you address the expectation of waiving 👋🏽 No show and short notice cancelations? It’s a real problem.

[@AmronC24]

This is so true.

[@realitytvtherapy]

Marie, Can I ask what type of microphone you are using? Love this format

[@PrivatePracticeSkills]

Oh Dr. Diane I did a complete gear overhaul! I'll DM you my gear it's a whole thing! lol :)

[@KittyFergusonLCSW]

Sadly, therapists can be so toxic to each other… it’s always reminded me of those who blame the person your partner cheated with (fellow therapists) versus holding the responsible party accountable (the system). Classic displacement.

[@BleddyBear81]

Therapists are quite often narcissistic and/or borderline personality