Why Do Therapists Charge What We Do?
I have just increased my session fee by £5 to £65 for new clients.
I know therapy is a big investment in time and money, and if you’ve been wondering what goes into running a therapy practice, or why therapists charge what we do, here is a little behind-the-scenes insight.
Therapy Is More Than Just the 50 minutes Together
People sometimes assume therapy fees reflect a straightforward hourly rate and that I may be working 40 hours a week at this rate, but the reality is quite different.
Running a therapy practice involves much more than the time spent in sessions. Most therapists carefully manage the number of clients they see to maintain quality and depth of care. I usually work with 16–20 clients per week, this is the number I know I can hold well, ensuring I can stay present, attuned, and grounded.
Although a session may last 50 minutes, the work around it often takes just as long. Every session involves:
Time for reflection and planning – Tailoring the work to people’s unique needs.
Researching approaches – Finding the best ways to support people.
Ongoing notetaking and progress review – Ensuring each session builds meaningfully on the last.
In many ways, every session equates to at least two hours of work, ensuring that each person receives thoughtful and individual support.
What Else Does Your Therapy Fee Cover?
Running a private practice also involves additional responsibilities and costs including:
Monthly supervision – To ensure ethical, grounded, high-quality practice and to continue growing as a therapist.
Professional membership & CPD – I stay registered with BACP and engage in ongoing learning through courses, workshops, and reading to refine my skills.
Therapist self-care – Attending my own therapy and other types of healing sessions to ensure I can be fully present and be my best self for each client. I believe we can only take others as deep as we have gone ourselves and see myself a continual work in progress.
Holiday pay – as a self-employed person, breaks aren’t paid, but they are essential to avoid burnout and maintain good practice.
Tax and pension contributions – Like any self-employed person, I set aside a significant portion of my income for these.
Sick pay – If I’m unwell, I don’t receive sick pay.
Insurance – To ensure a safe, professional practice for both myself and my clients.
ICO fees – To comply with data protection regulations and safeguard client confidentiality.
Marketing & website maintenance – To remain visible to those seeking support, including directory listings, website hosting, and outreach.
Most of these costs increase every year, alongside the rising cost of living, which means periodic fee adjustments are necessary to keep my practice sustainable.
The Journey to Becoming a Therapist
Like many therapists, my path into this work involved years of training, investment, and personal growth. During my postgraduate diploma and MA, I completed hundreds of hours of unpaid placement work while juggling study, essays, my own therapy and working part-time.
While I wouldn’t change the journey or where I am now, it’s worth naming the deep investment in time and money that underpins this work.
The Reality of a Therapy Practice
Therapy is human work, and running a practice can be complicated; cancellations, schedule changes, and unpredictable life circumstances are all part of it. While I have a cancellation policy, last-minute gaps are rarely possible to fill.
Occasionally, people stop attending without notice, leaving unpaid invoices and unfinished work.
School holidays are usually much quieter times, as people are often away and winter months meaning more illnesses, can bring an increase in cancellations and no-shows, which all directly impact income.
All of these factors need to be considered, and setting fees realistically ensures I can keep my practice sustainable and continue providing a safe, supportive space for clients, while striving to keep therapy as accessible as possible.
I Love This Work, and I Value Our Time Together
Being a therapist is a privilege and raising my fees is never a decision I take lightly—it’s about ensuring I can continue offering high-quality therapy while also taking care of my own well-being.
I deeply appreciate the trust my clients place in me and remain committed to providing a warm, supportive space for growth and healing.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.