The risk in every decision we make as therapists

This time of year, I know a lot of therapists are staring at that unsent email or drafted letter about raising their rates for the new year.

👉🏽 Some of you have the announcement written but can’t quite bring yourself to hit send. 👀 😅

👉🏽 Some of you already know the number you want to raise to, but it still doesn’t feel “good enough.”

👉🏽 And some of you are insurance-based therapists who are quietly dreaming about dropping panels altogether… while also terrified that doing so will make your caseload vanish overnight.

If that’s you, I want to say: you’re not alone.

Every decision we make in private practice comes with risk.

• Stay at a lower fee or on panels you resent? You risk burnout and resentment.
• Raise your rates or step away from insurance? You risk business slowing down.

There’s no one right answer for every therapist.

The “right” decision is the one that works for you in this season of your life and practice. 👏🏽

I know, because I’ve been there.

When I was first in practice, I made the scary choice to leave the one insurance panel I was on. 😬 Even though I was only on it for a couple of months. Later, I decided to raise my rates—multiple times. Every single time, it felt risky. What if no one booked? What if clients left?

But here’s the thing: I wasn’t making those decisions in a vacuum.

I had a business coach who walked with me every step of the way.

Having support didn’t take away the risk, but it gave me confidence, accountability, and a sense that even if one option didn’t work, there were always other paths forward.

That’s what helped me follow through instead of staying stuck in fear.

So I’ll ask you:

Do you have that kind of support in your life right now?

Not just people who inspire you, but people who help hold you accountable when you’re on the cusp of change?

Rooting for you,

Amanda 💛