Free Therapy for all!
OK, I understand that this was a misleading title, but I genuinely have a bone to pick with individuals who seek free or subsidized rates for Therapy.
As a mental health professional, I would really like to put some light on this concern that is faced by most psychologists in India currently.
Few perspectives that you should consider:
1. Multiple Standards: You would rarely ask a doctor who treats your physical health concerns to reduce their fees. In most scenarios, you would either move to a doctor who fits your budget range or you may consider reducing certain expenses to accommodate the treatment.
– Therefore, forward the same courtesy to your therapist. They invest a lot of time and resources (financial as well as others) that are part of providing you with optimum services.
2. Unjust Pressure: The biggest problem here I have with people who can actually afford the services yet choose to pressurize professionals into providing discounts.
– If an individual genuinely has economic constraints, it is understandable that they would acquire free therapy or therapy at nominal rates. But, when individuals are unwilling to compromise on certain “lifestyle” benefits to accommodate therapy, it is borderline insulting to the entire treatment process.
3. It is a cultural phenomenon: many individuals might argue that there is a general cultural aspect to asking for discounts in India. I don’t have any pro or against the argument for this.
– But, do have an opinion to share, that “therapy” is a space of changing and breaking cycles as well as cultural phenomenons. Thus, you may excuse yourself with that expression, but in regard to facts, services, and discounts are usually in place even before you have asked. Therefore, is it really that cultural?
4. Practical Implications: Mental health service in general is supposed to be beneficial and thus a nature of charity is expected. In a nutshell, it needs to be “servicing” a purpose of commission for the greater good.
-Though it might be so, free therapy will not feed your therapists family, it will not fulfill their needs and responsibilities towards themselves and their dependents. It really does not matter if they are supposed to do it for good, as there are actual implications for you to access free therapy on the professional.
So what alternatives are available? Here are a few suggestions:
1. There are welfare schemes, and programs organized by govt and other authorities to accommodate the demands of the population with respect to mental health. You can actually spend some time and research these resources.
2. Check out therapy with trainees, they are usually free and both parties are beneficiaries of the process.
3. Find a fresher therapist, their prices are usually on the affordable side and there are actual benefits to working with freshers (you can check out this post, for more info )
4. Create a realistic budget range for yourself that can be allotted to therapy for a month. Discuss that with your therapist, they will definitely provide you with a plan that accommodates the budget, consider it and decide if you want to stay with them or find any other alternative.
⚠️ Please note, this post doesn’t focus on individuals from low-income strata, as they genuinely are unable to pay.
What are your opinions? Are there any more comparisons or perspectives that you’d like to share? Comment below 👇