Some therapists want to scare you into believing that people won’t pay an EMDR therapist under $200 in Denver, CO
I’ve been in the field for over a decade. My experience spans working in community health clinics with men newly diagnosed with HIV, in Brooklyn criminal court, community mental health, and private practice. I’m a certified EMDR therapist providing EMDR therapy under $200 in Denver, CO.
When I set my rates, I didn’t expect the pushback from other therapists in Colorado and New York.
I’ve heard all the reasons to raise my EMDR therapy rates in Colorado:
- I’m bringing down the rate for others
- My “low rate” is a mindset problem and I don’t know my worth
- I’ve paid for advanced training and should charge what I’m worth
I have advanced training in
- EMDR (certified EMDR therapist)
- Perinatal mental health (certified perinatal mental health practitioner)
- Somatic psychology
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Cognitive processing therapy
- Schema therapy
But the clients I work with in Denver and Maine can’t afford to pay $200 for EMDR therapy
I know the time and money I have invested in my advanced training, becoming an EMDR-certified therapist, and the work I’ve put in as an EMDR consultant-in-training. And I know that I have hella experience and the value I bring to my therapy clients and EMDR consultees every day. Occasionally my ego makes me wonder if I should raise my rates because therapists with a quarter of my experience are charging my rate or more, but then I remember what my values are. And, I feel lucky that I worked in community mental health for much of my experience and did not have to pay for my own quality EMDR consultation.
Why I charge under $200 as an EMDR therapist in Denver
I’m lucky: My practice is fully remote, so for now, my overhead cost is pretty low.
I’m a social worker treating other therapists, social workers, and healthcare workers in Denver and Maine. $185 is expensive for people starting out in the field or who have dedicated their careers to remaining in community based work. I don’t take insurance, so I want to make quality EMDR therapy at least somewhat accessible to people in these settings.
I could offer sliding scale, but therapists, nurses, physicians, and teachers in the public sector make up the bulk of my caseload. Like many of the therapists charging $300 per hour, I only have the capacity to see so many patients in a week. I intentionally keep my overhead costs low so that I can keep my fees as low as possible and make enough money to cover my regular business expenses, advanced trainings, and salary. Outside of session time, I’m still hustling making content, growing my practice, networking, and learning from other advanced therapists and academics to hone my skill.
I also recognize some of this might change. I’m paying for advanced consultation to hone my craft and if I continue seeking ongoing, advanced opportunities for this type of growth, I’ll either need to take on more clients or (reluctantly) increase my fees.
Being an EMDR therapist under $200 in Denver does not make me less skilled
I know exactly what I’m doing. I’ve run all the numbers – believe me, I’m a type A anxious person with ADHD, so I’ve crunched the numbers multiple times in multiple places. I know my financial and business goals.
While other therapists may be charging more, $185 is a stretch for most of my clients. They would much rather see someone through their insurance and they’re willing to see me out of pocket because they know the benefits of working with someone with my level of skill and expertise.
It’s an honor to show up for the patients in my practice and to see them through this part of their healing journeys. It’s an honor to be chosen by them, knowing that they’re investing in their mental health and are entrusting me with their care.
The values driving my EMDR therapy practice in Denver, CO
Accessible, quality mental health care for all
I believe that mental health care should be accessible to all. Unfortunately, I also know that our healthcare system is not adequate and the people doing some of the hardest jobs caring for others are unable to access quality care. $185 is a stretch for the people I serve and I don’t take it lightly that they are investing a substantial amount of money to see me.
Integrity
My integrity is everything to me. My practice is collaborative and it’s important to me that my clients are satisfied with the therapy service they’re paying me for.
In line with my integrity, I only raise my rates when I need to and try not to stretch my clients too thin when I do. We work together so they don’t lose access to services they need.
Learning and growth are required
This is twofold: I love a challenge, both in the therapy room and in my life. Learning a new skill gives me an edge as an EMDR therapist and keeps my clients on their toes. New techniques allow me to get around the defenses that creep up when we both get too comfortable in our work together. Learning new skills also engages my brain in ways that I thrive on. Hey – I never said I’m completely selfless.
Balance
I need to be able to find balance in my own life. I LOVE what I do. Truly, I cannot stress enough what an honor it is to be able to provide EMDR consultation and quality EMDR therapy under $200 in Denver. More than that, I get to continue to serve populations I am passionate about. I truly believe in paying it forward and that when I get to care for you, it trickles down to all the people that you provide quality care to.
And, I need to be able to live my life. Investing time with my community and family fills my cup. I have kids I want to nurture and whom I want to feel deeply loved. Spending time in nature, traveling, and eating delicious foods restores me so that I feel whole.