#1 We’re slow to start. It takes about
seven years of school, Bachelors plus Masters, and apart from the classes, you
need to spend roughly 1000 hours on unpaid internships that include some
300 therapy hours. Getting that done takes a year, sometimes more. So getting
to the point where we can work costs a bomb.
#2 We do a lot of stuff you don’t see. You
talk for an hour, but the second you leave, we’re writing up session notes.
Then, before we talk next time, we read through the notes to prepare. While it
varies, for every hour we talk, I tend to spend an hour on notes and prep.
#3 We're always studying. Every job
involves constant learning but psychology is particularly intensive. I do
constant journal sweeps as well as reading new publications, attending lectures
and taking short courses. It costs money to stay current.
So there you go. I keeping costs down by working
online. I don't have a fancy office with lots of rental, and I do my own paperwork which keeps everything nice and private and means I have no staff costs.
I could probably double my prices, work less and earn the same. But I believe therapy should be at least a bit accessible if possible. So if I work a bit harder to survive, I'm okay with that.
