There are some common myths and misunderstandings when it comes to the cost of therapy sessions with a private psychologist.
Myth: Psychologists 'take home' the full amount paid for their therapeutic hour.
Truth 1: In addition to the time spent in consultation with the client, psychologists need to allocate time to prepare for future sessions, which includes treatment planning, documenting progress, and designing or assessing resources. Additionally, if Medicare rebates are claimed, psychologists must communicate regularly with other care providers (GP, psychiatrist, etc). This means their hourly rate for work is substantially less than the consultation fee.
Truth 2: Psychologists are required by their governing body to maintain strict professional and ethical standards, which necessitate paying for AHPRA registration fees, indemnity insurance, regular supervision, and often memberships to professional organisations like the APS and ANZACBS).
Truth 3: Psychologists are expected to keep up with advances in research around psychological theory and treatment techniques, and to formally demonstrate this ongoing professional development. Professional development usually includes compulsory training, clinical and peer supervision, and purchasing up-to-date assessments and resources. These activities are frequently costly, and also incur a loss of income due to time away from consulting.
Truth 4: In private practice, psychologists must also pay the costs of room rental, electricity, cleaning, office supplies, and internet access. Additionally, there are fees associated with expensive (but critically important) software to protect your privacy, electronic payment processing, business promotion and maintenance, running a website, and administrative support. Finally, there are additional costs associated with accountancy, superannuation and unexpected leave.
Myth: It's only having a chat, my friends can do that for free.
Truth 5: All psychologists have completed a minimum of 4 years of tertiary education; clinical psychologists have completed a further 2 years of formal education and 2 more years of intensely supervised practice; student loans are often onerous. In addition, ongoing training and reading cutting edge research is a key requirement for all psychologists. In all of this formal learning, psychologists acquire a variety of skills and techniques that can make a potentially transformational human connection seem like 'just a chat'.
Truth 6: There is a significant risk of burnout in all health professionals, and one of the key contributors in private practice is being 'overworked and underpaid' (ie needing to see a high number of clients per day to generate sustainable income that befits their expertise and passion for their work).
Thus, the recommended fee for psychologists also reflects the necessity of supporting psychologists' own well-being to ensure the very best ongoing care for their clients.
Myth: Psychologists 'take home' the full amount paid for their therapeutic hour.
Truth 1: In addition to the time spent in consultation with the client, psychologists need to allocate time to prepare for future sessions, which includes treatment planning, documenting progress, and designing or assessing resources. Additionally, if Medicare rebates are claimed, psychologists must communicate regularly with other care providers (GP, psychiatrist, etc). This means their hourly rate for work is substantially less than the consultation fee.
Truth 2: Psychologists are required by their governing body to maintain strict professional and ethical standards, which necessitate paying for AHPRA registration fees, indemnity insurance, regular supervision, and often memberships to professional organisations like the APS and ANZACBS).
Truth 3: Psychologists are expected to keep up with advances in research around psychological theory and treatment techniques, and to formally demonstrate this ongoing professional development. Professional development usually includes compulsory training, clinical and peer supervision, and purchasing up-to-date assessments and resources. These activities are frequently costly, and also incur a loss of income due to time away from consulting.
Truth 4: In private practice, psychologists must also pay the costs of room rental, electricity, cleaning, office supplies, and internet access. Additionally, there are fees associated with expensive (but critically important) software to protect your privacy, electronic payment processing, business promotion and maintenance, running a website, and administrative support. Finally, there are additional costs associated with accountancy, superannuation and unexpected leave.
Myth: It's only having a chat, my friends can do that for free.
Truth 5: All psychologists have completed a minimum of 4 years of tertiary education; clinical psychologists have completed a further 2 years of formal education and 2 more years of intensely supervised practice; student loans are often onerous. In addition, ongoing training and reading cutting edge research is a key requirement for all psychologists. In all of this formal learning, psychologists acquire a variety of skills and techniques that can make a potentially transformational human connection seem like 'just a chat'.
Truth 6: There is a significant risk of burnout in all health professionals, and one of the key contributors in private practice is being 'overworked and underpaid' (ie needing to see a high number of clients per day to generate sustainable income that befits their expertise and passion for their work).
Thus, the recommended fee for psychologists also reflects the necessity of supporting psychologists' own well-being to ensure the very best ongoing care for their clients.