This is a reoccurring question we as therapists hear, and though I’m young in the field, I have heard this question over and over and over again. While I understand some of the heart behind this question, I believe it’s important to address this question from a therapist’s perspective & hopefully it’ll shed some light on this question for you if you or someone you know is wondering about it.
First of all, I believe therapy should be affordable and available to all who need it, and that’s one of the reasons I believe there are so many lanes for therapy so clients can find the best fits for them, and I’m thankful for those lanes. So many need therapy and as therapists we truly do hope that people receive all the Mental Health care they need. The reality is, every therapist can’t offer sliding scale or pro-bono, and every therapist won’t want to, and if that’s the case there isn’t anything wrong with that. Keep searching out the best fit for your needs.
Secondly, therapy is much more than just coming and sitting down and speaking with someone about your problems. Therapists provide a safe space for you to share, vent and process, but therapists also provide you with skills and tools to manage your life in a healthier way. They offer an objective, third person perspective on your situation and your life in a way that a friend or family member can’t. They facilitate a safe space for you to discover and uncover things about yourself & your life that you didn’t know before, which opens the door for depths of healing and growth.
Thirdly, as therapists we also go through years of education and training, and it’s not cheap. A good therapist will want to be skilled, credible and well equipped to serve their clients, and that means investing in their growth and advancement, and this investment is emotional as well as financial.
Fourthly, much of this question comes down to the value people place on Mental Health and how much of a priority it is to them. People talk a lot but then do little to nothing when the avenue is provided to them. Everyone’s situation is different of course, and, some people simply don’t truly value their Mental Health & Wellness. Therapists should not be asked to diminish their services because of a lack of value someone places on it. The reality is, when you value something, you invest in it.
Lastly, being a therapist is a job; it’s not a hobby, and for some therapists it’s their primary source of income. Just as many do, therapists have bills to pay, families to support, student loans to pay back, rent to pay for their office spaces - the list can honestly go on depending on the therapist, but hopefully this adds some perspective for you.
Therapists work hard, and they’ve worked hard to get to the point they’re at in their career. Although this field is rewarding, it’s also not an easy field to be in. Therapists spend time and money to equip themselves to be the best therapist possible for you. They care about you, and, they also need to be well compensated for all the time, energy, effort and money they put into their professional advancement; I hope we all remember to hold space for both sides. ♥️