Therapy Costs Explained: It’s More Than Just Time
In times of rising rent, power bills, and grocery prices, it’s natural to pause and think: Is seeing a psychologist in Melbourne right now really worth it? Why does it cost so much for just 50 minutes in a room?
These are fair and important questions. At time of writing, the Australian Psychological Society’s recommended fee sits at $318 per 50-minute session. Whilst many psychologists charge less than this, it is still a figure that can understandably feel surprisingly high for what looks like only an hour of time. But therapy fees cover far more than just the time you spend face-to-face with your psychologist.
Understanding what goes into the cost of your sessions can help you feel reassured that your money is supporting a deeper, more thoughtful process — one that’s about you and your wellbeing.
Let’s unpack where therapy fees actually go.
1. Time Outside Your Session
You may only see your psychologist for 50 minutes a week (or fortnight, or even month), but their work for you doesn’t start and end when you walk through the door.
Before your appointment, your psychologist will spend time reviewing your notes (or what is in your referral or initial enquiry), reflecting on what’s been happening for you recently, as well as what you discussed last time. They will then plan your session to ensure it is working towards your goals. After your session, they will write detailed case notes – not just to tick a box legally, but to track your progress, record important insights, and plan the next steps in your therapy journey.
They are also likely to spend time thinking about you between sessions: wondering how you’re going, reflecting on what you shared, and considering how best to help you move forward. In this sense, you are held in mind – you’re not forgotten as soon as the session ends. This emotional and cognitive holding is an important part of ethical, compassionate care.
2. Ongoing Professional Development
Psychology isn’t a static field. New research is constantly emerging about what helps people heal, grow, and thrive. To provide the best possible care, psychologists undertake regular professional development.
This includes formal training in evidence-based therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or Internal Family Systems Therapy. Professional development requires significant financial investment, and even ongoing refresher courses to maintain accreditation. It also includes informal learning: reading research articles, attending webinars, and engaging with emerging best practice guidelines.
Ultimately, your psychologist’s commitment to lifelong learning ensures that what happens in the therapy room is grounded in up-to-date science and tailored interventions – not just intuition or guesswork.
3. Supervision and Peer Consultation
In Australia, all registered psychologists are required to engage in regular supervision. This isn’t about being checked up on; it’s about ensuring ethical, effective, and safe practice.
Through supervision, psychologists can reflect on their work, seek guidance for complex cases, and gain alternative perspectives that benefit their clients. Peer consultation groups offer similar value, fostering professional growth and accountability.
When your psychologist invests time and money in supervision, they’re investing in you – ensuring your therapy is thoughtful, considered, and delivered with integrity.
4. The Psychologist’s Qualifications and Expertise
Becoming a psychologist requires years of university study, comprising of at least 1000 hours of practical placements, plus supervised training. This includes a minimum of six years before attaining general registration, with many undertaking additional postgraduate studies to specialise (for example, pursuing endorsement as a clinical psychologist).
This expertise isn’t just academic. It equips psychologists with the skills to understand complex human experiences, provide evidence-based interventions, and hold space for you in moments of deep vulnerability.
When you pay for therapy, you’re not just paying for the time in session – you’re paying for years of training and knowledge that supports your journey.
5. Business Operating Costs
Running a therapy practice also involves more than just the cost of the psychologist’s time and expertise. Fees also contribute to:
- Room rental and utilities
- Professional insurance and registrations (which can be in the thousands every year)
- Secure practice management software for confidential note keeping, and other technology subscriptions
- Clean, welcoming furnishings to create a safe and comfortable environment
While these aren’t the bulk of your fee, they are essential in making therapy accessible and professional.
6. The Emotional and Mental Presence in Therapy
Therapy is not “just a chat.” During your sessions, your psychologist is deeply listening, attuning, and thinking carefully about how to help you move towards your goals. This process requires emotional energy, focused attention, and a capacity to sit with distress, uncertainty, and complexity.
Outside of sessions, this continues. Many psychologists find themselves thinking about their clients while out on a walk or reading something that might be helpful to share. They might be planning the best intervention to try next session, or simply hoping you’re travelling okay.
This mental and emotional presence is part of what makes therapy powerful. You are not just another appointment – you are held in mind as a whole person deserving care and thoughtful support.
After All That, Is It Worth It?
In a cost of living crisis, every dollar counts. Therapy is undoubtedly an investment, and like any investment, you want to make sure there’s going to be a good return. But unlike many other investments, therapy is one that has the potential to transform your whole life.
Improving mental health doesn’t just reduce distress in the moment. To list just a few areas, therapy can:
- Enhance and improve relationships
- Improve work performance and satisfaction
- Support physical health
- Build resilience to navigate life’s challenges
- Increase your sense of purpose and meaning, confidence, and self-compassion
These benefits extend well beyond the therapy room. They ripple out into your family, friendships, workplace, and community.
Hot tip: If your experience of therapy isn’t living up to your expectations, read our blog on how to give feedback to your psychologist.
Final Thoughts
It’s completely okay to wonder where your therapy fees go. In reality, each dollar supports not just the time you spend in session, but the years of training, preparation, reflection, and care that your psychologist brings to your healing journey.
If cost is ever a barrier for you, don’t hesitate to raise it with your psychologist. Together, you can discuss options to ensure you’re receiving support within your means.
Therapy is not a luxury – it’s an investment in you. And you are worth that investment.
If you’re tossing up whether therapy is worth it, you might like to read about how talk therapy can help you, or perhaps how to tell if it’s time to seek professional help.