The reason is pretty simple.
I am currently working in mental health and am completing my MA in Clinical Psychology. I hope to be a great clinician one day, but I’ve realized that the biggest issues aren’t necessarily in the quality of clinicians themselves. Instead, the largest barriers to effective mental health care are often systemic: affordability, financial transparency, and the underpayment of clinicians. Each of these factors creates challenges that impact not only clients but also the providers who work tirelessly to support them. As someone who wants to make a difference, I believe we need to address these issues to make care accessible for all.
Affordability of Care
The high cost of mental health services remains one of the most significant obstacles for those seeking care. Therapy sessions, psychiatric consultations, and ongoing treatments can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those without insurance or with limited coverage. This creates a cycle where people may avoid or delay seeking help until issues escalate, leading to crises that require even more intensive intervention.
- The Sliding Scale Solution: One promising approach is the sliding scale payment model, where fees are adjusted based on income. Sliding scales have been implemented by many therapists and clinics, but they’re often not advertised widely enough. Clients who are financially struggling may not know they could qualify for reduced fees. Promoting sliding scale options and making this information accessible could help people feel more comfortable reaching out for support.
Moreover, affordability directly influences the frequency and duration of treatment, which are critical for achieving long-term, meaningful outcomes in therapy. Inaccessible mental health services don’t just impact individuals; they affect families, workplaces, and communities. Addressing affordability isn’t just about helping individuals; it’s about creating a healthier society.
Transparency of Financial Models
A lack of transparency in financial models further compounds the issue of affordability. For many clients, the financial aspects of therapy—session costs, insurance reimbursements, and out-of-pocket maximums—are often unclear, leading to unexpected bills and increased financial stress. The complex, opaque billing practices of many clinics and insurance companies create an environment where clients might hesitate to seek out care due to the uncertainty around cost.
- The Coffee Analogy: If pricing for mental health services were as straightforward as ordering a coffee, more people would feel comfortable accessing care. Transparent pricing structures, flexible payment plans, and up-front information on billing practices could make mental health care more accessible by reducing the “sticker shock” that many experience when they see a bill.
Transparent financial models benefit clinicians, too, as they reduce the administrative burden and improve trust with clients. If people know what they’ll be paying—and why—they’re more likely to seek the help they need and stick with it long-term.
Underpaid Clinicians
Finally, the underpayment of clinicians is an issue that goes hand-in-hand with affordability and transparency but is often overlooked. Many clinicians, especially those early in their careers, face financial challenges themselves. This is particularly concerning because clinician burnout has a direct effect on the quality and consistency of care clients receive. Underpaid clinicians are more likely to take on high caseloads to make ends meet, leading to exhaustion and a higher risk of burnout.
- The Cost of Burnout: When clinicians leave the field due to burnout or low pay, it creates a shortage of qualified professionals, which in turn makes it harder for clients to find available providers. Addressing clinician compensation is not just a matter of fairness. Adequate pay helps ensure that clinicians can commit to their work with the energy and focus needed to provide quality care. It also encourages more people to enter and remain in the mental health field, helping to meet the growing demand for services.
Addressing these issues—affordability, transparency, and clinician compensation—is essential if we want to build a sustainable, accessible mental health care system. As I continue my journey in mental health, I’m passionate about being part of the solution to these challenges. I want to make a difference not just by providing quality care, but by contributing to a system that makes mental health support as accessible and dependable as a warm cup of coffee when it’s needed.
To be Very Clear, we donate 25% of our revenue to sliding scale therapy. This currently happens at the Mind Body Co-op of Chicago. All funding goes directly to patients and their therapists. We hope to increase this percentage as we get off the ground and can function with less income.