Package Rates for Multiple Therapy Sessions
You might be wondering if I offer discounted packages for multiple therapy sessions, perhaps 10 or 20 sessions at a reduced rate. As a Seattle therapist, I've chosen not to offer package deals, and I want to explain why this actually benefits you and supports better therapeutic outcomes. Let's explore therapy packages and why pay-as-you-go often serves clients better. Information on my fees can be found here.
Why Some Therapists Offer Packages
The Package Model
Common package structures include:
Buy 10 sessions, get 10% off
Purchase 20 sessions for bulk discount
Monthly unlimited packages
Intensive retreat pricing
Annual membership models
Business Motivations
For the Therapist:
Guaranteed income
Reduced administrative work
Client commitment secured
Cash flow predictability
Marketing appeal
Marketed Benefits:
Cost savings
Commitment device
Simplified billing
VIP feeling
Advance planning
Why I Don't Offer Packages
Therapeutic Concerns
Artificial Commitment Packages can create:
Pressure to attend when not ready
Guilt about unused sessions
Financial obligation overriding clinical needs
Stuck feeling if not good fit
Barrier to ending appropriately
Power Dynamics Prepayment affects relationship:
Harder to address concerns
May continue despite poor fit
Financial investment clouds judgment
Termination complicated
Boundary complications
Treatment Flexibility Therapy needs change:
Progress varies individually
Life circumstances shift
Frequency needs fluctuate
Different phases require different pacing
Rigid packages don't accommodate
Ethical Considerations
Client Autonomy Pay-per-session preserves:
Freedom to leave anytime
No financial penalty
Genuine choice each week
Empowered decision-making
True consent ongoing
Avoiding Exploitation Packages can inadvertently:
Exploit vulnerability
Pressure during difficult times
Take advantage of hope
Create dependency
Prioritize business over care
Practical Issues
Refund Complications What happens with:
Moving away
Job loss
Insurance changes
Therapist availability
Health issues
Treatment Planning Effective therapy requires:
Organic progression
Responsive adjustments
Unknown timeline
Flexible approaches
Natural endings
Benefits of Session-by-Session Payment
For You
Complete Freedom
Attend because you choose to
No sunk cost pressure
Leave when ready
Adjust frequency easily
True therapeutic consent
Financial Flexibility
Budget week by week
No large upfront cost
Pause when needed
Match life circumstances
No unused sessions
Honest Feedback Easier to:
Address concerns
Request changes
Evaluate progress
Consider alternatives
End appropriately
For Our Work
Genuine Engagement Each session represents:
Active choice
Current commitment
Present-moment decision
Authentic participation
Mutual investment
Responsive Treatment We can:
Adjust frequency
Take breaks
Intensify when needed
Space out sessions
End naturally
Clear Boundaries
Professional relationship maintained
No financial entanglement
Clean therapeutic frame
Ethical clarity
Mutual respect
Common Package Concerns
"But I'd Save Money"
Consider Total Cost:
Only save if using all sessions
May attend unnecessarily
Could prolong therapy
Hidden costs of commitment
Flexibility has value
Alternative Savings:
Use HSA/FSA (instant 20-30% savings)
Submit insurance claims
Time therapy strategically
Focus on efficient treatment
Value over volume
"It Would Make Me Commit"
Healthier Commitment Comes From:
Seeing progress
Feeling supported
Trusting the process
Valuing the work
Internal motivation
External Pressure Problems:
Resentment builds
Compliance vs. engagement
Misses therapeutic point
Creates resistance
Undermines autonomy
"I Like Planning Ahead"
You Still Can:
Schedule multiple sessions
Maintain consistent time
Plan around life events
Create routine
Without financial lock-in
Educational Programs
Different from Therapy:
Skills-based groups
Psychoeducational series
Workshop formats
Curriculum-based
Not processing personal material
My Approach to Consistency
Supporting Regular Attendance
Without packages, I encourage consistency through:
Same day/time slots
Therapeutic relationship
Progress tracking
Between-session support
Investment in outcomes
Natural Commitment
Clients continue because:
They see value
Feel supported
Make progress
Trust the process
Choose healing
This organic commitment is more powerful than financial obligation.
Financial Planning Without Packages
Budget Strategies
Weekly Planning:
Set aside therapy funds
Automatic transfer
Therapy "bill pay"
Consistent allocation
No surprises
Using Benefits:
Maximize insurance
HSA/FSA planning
Employer benefits
Tax advantages
Multiple resources
Value Perspective
Consider:
Quality over quantity
Efficiency matters
Right fit crucial
Flexibility valuable
Outcomes focused
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Job Loss
With Package:
15 prepaid sessions remaining
No refund policy
Adds financial stress
Must continue or lose money
Pay-Per-Session:
Pause immediately
No financial obligation
Return when stable
No guilt or pressure
Scenario 2: Rapid Progress
With Package:
10 sessions left
Goals already met
Feel obligated to continue
Artificial dependency
Pay-Per-Session:
Celebrate success
End when ready
Natural termination
Clean completion
Scenario 3: Poor Fit
With Package:
Realized after 3 sessions
17 prepaid remaining
Difficult conversation
Financial loss
Pay-Per-Session:
Address concerns freely
Transition easily
No financial complication
Client empowerment
The Therapeutic Frame
Why Structure Matters
Clear boundaries support:
Professional relationship
Therapeutic safety
Ethical practice
Client autonomy
Effective treatment
Session-by-Session Supports This
Through:
Ongoing consent
Active participation
Clear agreements
Mutual respect
Professional ethics
Making Therapy Affordable
Without Packages
I support affordability through:
Insurance super bills
HSA/FSA acceptance
Clear fee structure
Efficient treatment
Transparent costs
Focus on Value
Rather than volume discounts:
Specialized expertise
Integrated approaches
Efficient treatment
Lasting results
True healing
Your Autonomy Matters
The freedom to choose, session by session, is itself therapeutic. It:
Empowers you
Respects your judgment
Honors your process
Maintains dignity
Supports genuine healing
Questions to Consider
When evaluating packages elsewhere:
What if I need to stop?
Is there a refund policy?
What about therapist availability?
Can frequency be adjusted?
Why do I want to prepay?
My Commitment
By maintaining session-by-session payment:
Your freedom protected
Our work stays clean
Progress drives attendance
Natural flow honored
Ethical clarity maintained
This structure has served my clients well for 15+ years.
Next Steps
If you're ready to begin therapy with the freedom of choice each session:
No packages to evaluate
No pressure to commit
Start when ready
Continue by choice
End when appropriate
