Therapist wouldn’t tell me fees? Is this weird?

[CeceJoyce]

So basically I contacted a private therapist as both of my daughters need help with anxiety which has gotten quite bad for them (ages 17 & 15). She replied and said she could call me the next day to discuss some of their issues etc. I said thank you and yes I’d be free to talk and then I asked if she could please let me know her fees.
She responded with a link to a charity and a recommendation to contact cahms (I have already done this the waiting list is long and we are in a fortunate position to pay for private therapy).

She said the charity may offer low rates.
In no way did I say I couldn’t afford the going rate but I’m in London so looking online I’ve seen therapists charge anything from £40 per 50 minutes up to £85. I don’t think I’m unreasonable to ask her rate!! But she hasn’t told me and just said to try this charity??
It feels a bit rude to me, is it unreasonable to ask how much she charges, do very wealthy people not need to ask and she’s assumed i can’t afford her??

That would put me right off. Maybe look around for someone more open and upfront?

I'd assume her fees are extortionate.

Seems weird. Perhaps she used to have a sentence in there saying how much she charges and accidentally cropped it out when cutting and pasting!

I’d have expected her to say I charge £x per hour, and then put the charity info.

I’d get back to her and let her know she still hasn’t told you how much she charges!

Make sure you choose someone who is either HCPC registered or BABCP accredited so they have the right expertise to charge the price I imagine she is going to!

That is weird. It’s like she thinks if you are so terribly crass to have to ask, then you can’t be the sort of person who can afford her. Look elsewhere.

Just ask her what her private fees are? You are over thinking it. She probably just forgot to include that info.

@babouchette @Elieza
I emailed straight back and said thank you for the information but could you let me know your fees as they vary a lot in the area. She didn’t even respond….

She is either assuming you're poor (silly and rude of her) or she's just cagy about her fees (own goal).

Either way, find someone else.

I would try elsewhere. If this is the start i wouldn't feel comfortable

I wish it wasn’t so hard to find someone.. teen therapists seem rare around here! Most places charging huge fees for diagnosis before therapy (they both already have a diagnosis) we just want some cbt or talk therapy for them now! I’ll keep searching but I think I will send her an e-Mail just to say I was a bit disappointed she couldn’t reply to my e-Mail about her fees.. and something else a bit passive aggressive because I’m in a mood 😂

"Why do you feel you can't tell me your hourly rate?"

Have you looked on the Counselling Directory OP?

@Orgasmagorical yes I’ll say that when I e-mail her… it probably sounds petty but there’s nothing in any e-Mail that suggested I can’t afford her. I think any service should expect people to ask their fees!

Some counsellors decide fee's on a case by case basis and may want to have an initial meeting / assessment before giving a price.

Rude of her and unprofessional not to tell you what she charges. Do consider seeing an online therapist - fees vary a lot.
I have heard therapists say if you have to ask my fees you can't afford me.

Look for a clinical psychologist- private therapists are a nightmare to check the credibility of.

It is against the law not to tell consumers the price of something before the work is done by the way. However if she is properly qualified and trained her fees will reflect that. Remember anyone can set up as a "therapist" - it is not a protected word like doctor nurse solicitor barrister that only the qualified may use - anyone can use therapist so do be careful and if she is rock bottom prices she is probably not qualified. If she is £200 an hour she probably is.

A good and easy way to check credibility is whether or not someone is accredited with a reputable regulating body eg the BACP or BABCP. Don’t need a psychologist necessarily.

Sorry but that's completely wrong, I know lots of extremely qualified clinical psychologists who charge between £40 and £80 an hour and an entirely unqualified person who charges £150. Fees are not a reflection of skill or expertise.

It's a bit like she's saying "if you have to ask, you can't afford me."
Sounds like someone I would be avoiding as it's a nasty attitude to potential clients.

@fuckoffImcounting

Rude of her and unprofessional not to tell you what she charges. Do consider seeing an online therapist - fees vary a lot. I have heard therapists say if you have to ask my fees you can't afford me.

Exactly.

Wow, so much misinformation here!

OP, her not telling you her fees is really weird. Where did you find her details? Therapists usually have a website and online directory entries which will list fees.

Anyone can call themselves a counsellor but you can easily check they are qualified by checking they are registered with a professional membership organisation such as (but not limited to) the BACP, NCS or UKCP. Counsellors should also be happy to give details of their qualifications if asked.

Counselling Directory is an good place to find a qualified counsellor.

Being “accredited” is not the same as being “qualified”.

Prices vary and many qualified therapists offer low prices because they are able to afford to and think it is the right thing to do, £200 an hour is rare for a CBT therapist. A low rate doesn’t mean they are unqualified.

@AdmiralCain

Some counsellors decide fee's on a case by case basis and may want to have an initial meeting / assessment before giving a price.

She could have said that then.

Anyone can call themselves a counsellor but you can easily check they are qualified by checking they are registered with a professional membership organisation such as (but not limited to) the BACP, NCS or UKCP. Counsellors should also be happy to give details of their qualifications if asked.

^ that's why I recommend a clinical psychologist. It is a protected title and means doctoral level training.

But the OP hasn’t said she needs someone with doctoral level training, she wants CBT or talk therapy (which can be delivered competently and professionally by a non-doctoral level therapist).