AIBU to think that the counsellor overcharged me

[Karenthetoadslayer]

but I am not sure about the going rate, so I may be AIBU.

My DD's counsellor wrote a one page report and charged £320 for this.

I am finally able to discharge the bloody thing which has been causing me sleepless nights, but I only have myself to blame, because I did not ask how much it was going to be and I assumed that it would be about the same as a GP's report which cost about £80.

Please don't tell me that this is my own fault, because I know this.

But isn't it rather a lot of money for a report?

Not at all. Please read my OP.

Does an Aibu thread give you Carte Blanche to randomly rant at the OP?

Cross posted Mrsstarlord

I had a friend who was a psychiatrist (so qualified as a medical Doctor then however many years training as a psychiatrist) who had to put up her fees when she realised her plumber was charging her a higher hourly rate to change a tap than she charged her clients.

(This was in Canada if it makes any difference )

There is a wide gulf between 'working for free and living on fresh air' and charging 80 per hour. And she is not going to tell you '2 hours assesment and 2 hours report preparation' unless you actually ask, so it would definitely be reasonable to ask for a a breakdown of the costs before you pay.

Our plumber charges £30 for a call out.

I appreciate that being landed with this bid bill has come as a nasty shock and I'm not having a go at you for not checking her report rates before hand, it sound's like you've had more than enough to contend with lately. I hope that the other posters have reassured you that you haven't been ripped off though. £45 an hour for therapy with a psychologist is a bargain and even that report seems reasonable to me, as a previous poster said court reports cost a lot more as experts have to factor in the potential to be called to court. It sounds as though you have a right to feel miffed over the lateness of the report but as a previous poster said unless you had some clear, written arrangement about the deadline for the report it may be difficult to pursue this. If she's a Clinical Psychologist she will be regulated by the Heath and Care Professions Council but I don't think there would be grounds for a complaint.

Thank you. I am not planning to complain. I appreciate all the explanations and I'd be too embarrassed to complain anyway. All this pandemonium with my ex has caused enough negative attention everywhere and I do my utmost not to cause any more attention.

Hi, I request medical reports as part of my job. A counsellor report would generally be in the region of £100, a psychologist report around £300 and
a Consultants report anything from £300 -£1000. It sounds like she has therefore charged the going rate, I appreciate that it must have come as a shock though if you had no idea of the cost.
She may let you pay by a couple of instalments if you explain the situation