As a proponent of therapy and a professional working on the administrative side of Avedian Counseling Center, I bring a unique perspective to the conversation on the value of therapy. I see my registered marriage and family therapist colleagues and supervisors pour their heart and soul into the work they do and the individuals and couples they support. I have not only seen the value in therapy on a personal level, but also on a professional level with my coworkers and the clients who leave their offices happy.
So, why is therapy so expensive? Essentially, we have to look at the reason to even ask the question. Often, people do not fully understand the importance of their relationship with a therapist.
Statistics suggest that therapy is an effective resource that can lead to self-actualization. The client-therapist relationship accounts for over a quarter of that success, according to studies, meaning the connection between counselor and client creates an impactful bond that further solidifies the therapeutic journey. This connection is called the therapeutic alliance (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2024).
Avedian Counseling Center’s Nicholas Schaub, AMFT #159459 (supervised by Chrysoula Gkotsi, LMFT #113638) speaks on the importance of the client and therapist relationship, “The therapeutic alliance is a cornerstone of effective therapy, often one of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes. When clients feel truly safe, they open up to parts of themselves they may have never shared with anyone else. This is where the real work begins.” Schaub continues, “Together, you navigate the most challenging aspects of their story and witness their growth firsthand. I like to think of it as an invisible string connecting therapist and client with every session, trust and understanding strengthen that bond, fostering resilience, healing, and transformation.”
This is the important perspective of a professional in the field, who understands that the therapeutic alliance is central to his work.
Avedian Counseling Center’s Rita Akhian, AMFT #142256 (supervised by Chrysoula Gkotsi, LMFT #113638) shares a similar sentiment with her insight, “The therapeutic alliance is one of the most important factors to have successful therapy because it really focuses on building trust, safety, and rapport. The real work and therapy really begins when the client feels comfortable enough to be honest, open, and vulnerable with their therapist.” Akhian further explains how invaluable that connection is, “Human connection is more powerful than any therapeutic intervention because, without a strong therapeutic relationship, all of the tools that the therapist is using are not as effective.”
I have had different therapists with different fees. Now that I have better health insurance, I sought a therapist in-network. My current therapist is experienced and cares deeply for my well-being, but most importantly, the therapeutic alliance is strong. I also believe this because this therapist is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and I believe that focusing on the relational aspects of an individual’s life is particularly important. Often, our relationships can reflect our own insecurities. Those insecurities can spark reactive behaviors that we may assume stem from the other person, when, in reality, they are an indicator of one’s own unmet expectations. Maybe we have failed ourselves before in the same way, breaking our own self-expectations. Processing those feelings with a trained expert is immensely beneficial for mental health. Some people only have their therapist as a support system.
So, how do you put a monetary value on that invaluable support from your therapist? I personally have paid hourly fees of $300 for an experienced therapist completely out-of-pocket; not because I am financially irresponsible or because I could necessarily afford it, but because I value the results of the service I receive.
I value therapy because I see people over twice my age suffering from unresolved trauma and broken relationships, and I take the steps I believe necessary to prevent that from happening to myself.
It is also because I value the profession of psychology and the training and expertise it involves. According to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, after an individual receives a qualifying master’s degree, they must complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours (which can take several years), take and pass the law and ethics licensing exam, and pass the LMFT clinical exam to receive an official license to practice. After obtaining a license, LMFTs must also complete continuing education hours. This whole process involves a massive amount of time, hard work, and money just to help people in need.
Despite this, many therapists acknowledge the economic difficulties we all face and work with a sliding scale, accept medical insurance, or work to meet their clients halfway.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2024). Psychotherapy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608012/
Annette Semerdjian is the Client Experience & Marketing Coordinator at Anger Management 818. She is a multi-media journalist and administrative professional who spends her free time volunteering at animal shelters and writing poetry.
