Which world do you live in? How often does your MD offer a “sliding fee scale”?

What about your Dentist? How about some 8 dollar root canals?
Mechanic? Free labor every day!
Attorney? Pro Bono baby!
Radiologist? Free X rays!
Optometrist? Free Glasses!
Car dealers? 10k for a brand new Lexus
Realtor? Condo on the beach.. half commission

Yet I am certain that I have paid as much, if not more for my education and training than many of the aforementioned professionals. I have endured a 3000 hour internship and have been required to pass not one, but two board examinations. I have literally saved many lives that would have been lost.

I regularly receive crisis calls, and must respond immediately. Therapists are on par with any “life-saving” medical professional. We assume a great deal of responsibility, and place ourselves in the middle of your problems.

The mentality that therapists are less important is the reason that we have incidents such as Ft. Hood, Columbine, UCLA, etc…..

A licensed therapist should be in every school, laboratory, HR department, training facility, library, and government building. We need to recognize the importance of having QUALIFIED, LICENSED people in places where stress is high and emotions are on the surface.

To imply that therapists should lower their operating fees and provide services at a discount is truly absurd.

Let’s think about the purpose of therapy. It is not simply two people chatting…….You can do that with anyone on the bus. The main difference is the nature of the relationship, and it should be based upon mutual respect.

Ask me for a discount, and you are saying……..I will pay for half of your training, education, and overhead. You are saying…I want the whole service, but I don’t or cannot pay for it.

So how does that work? Do I stop listening half way through the session? Do I do half of the initial assessment, then ignore half of your issues? Should I turn the air conditioning off half way through your session and watch you sweat?

I have a better idea……Let’s just pay what we are asked to pay. If you cannot afford it, then you need a different kind of help. You need financial help. Not therapy.

I am a therapist, not a banker. I cannot lend you money. I don’t get a free phone, office, computer system, furniture, website, advertising, or training. I don’t generally get a discount on anything that I pay for to provide you with a safe place to talk.

“Sliding Scale” pfffffft

As as a caregiver and an advocate, I recommend that caregivers who begin to find themselves in an emotional downturn (including extreme fatigue or an inability to remain productive at work) seek some sort of emotional support. Therapy can provide a way to speak with someone who is not emotionally invested in family matters. This type of professional can not only serve as a sounding board but may help you get to the root of some other emotional baggage that you may have carried around for years that has been exasperated by the caregiving experience.

Another point I personally think is important in finding the right therapist has to do with the style of therapy conducted. For example, some people might want more structure in therapy and are looking for a ‘quick’ solution to help then over a bump in the road. For these people, the idea of intense soul searching on a weekly basis for an indefinite amount of time may seem a bit much (not to mention costly). For others, this might be just what they’re looking for.

I’m currently getting my MA in General Psychology at the New School and as I am learning, there are many types of therapy (CBT, DBT, RET, etc) that have different approaches. With some exceptions, it seems to me that these days therapists are combining techniques to deliver a well-rounded therapeutic approach to cater to many people’s needs. Even so, many have a definite psychological orientation they feel works the best. While therapists may know more than you in terms of how to help you, it’s still important that you are on board with their approach.