HOW MUCH MONEY DOES MY THERAPIST ACTUALLY MAKE?

 

The state of California rivals New York for the highest paying locations for therapists. High cost of living also means that salary can be evelated as well.

According to "Indeed" the average therapist's salary is $39 per hour in California. This amount ranges depending on the therapist's experience, as well as the setting. Most therapists working at a non-profit (for example) will make less money than a therapist working for a more profitable healthcare system.

For therapists in private practice that hourly rate can change from client to client. Each insurance plan has their own rate. Some clients may pay privately, where others may pay nothing at all (sliding-scale).  

In addition to the variances among hourly rates, a therapist's practice is considered full with 30 patients. Cancellation rates average between 10-20%. If you cancel a session, if you are a no-show, your therapist will not be paid. Additionally your therapist is not paid for the time spent answering emails, voicemails, or dealing with insurance. These time consuming tasks are the reason that most therapists can only mangage around 30 patient sessions per week. 

Despite what we see on TV, most therapists do not have large offices with leather couches. Being a therapist is extremely rewarding, but not the most lucrative career choice.