Why is Therapy So Expensive?

At one point or another, we’ve all seen the clever MasterCard commercials that depict the varying costs of things and their values. Here is one of my favorites: A father and son at a baseball game: two tickets - $46, two popcorns, two sodas, two hot dogs - $27, one autographed baseball - $50, real conversation with an 11 year-old son - priceless. Now if we apply this to the cost of therapy, it looks something like this: The ability to live life well, with relief from the heavy weight of depression (feeling worthless, unmotivated, indecisive, hopeless, sad, maybe even suicidal) - priceless. The ability to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships - priceless. The ability to communicate your desires and needs in a productive, rather than destructive manner - priceless. The ability to recognize emotions and regulate them so you do not become overwhelmed - priceless. The ability to control angry impulses - priceless. Recently, I received a call from a parent who wanted to schedule an appointment for his daughter. When I told him my fee he said “Well, I have to do this. It's for her well-being." This parent seemed to understand the meaning of PRICELESS.