Should Counsellors Offer Concessions? What to Consider Before You Decide

You became a counsellor to help people, but what happens when someone says they can’t afford your full fee?

Do you offer a concession? A sliding scale? Say yes and quietly resent it – or say no and feel guilty?

In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, I dive into one of the most emotionally loaded decisions counsellors face: whether or not to offer concessions in private practice.

No judgment. No one-size-fits-all answer. Just a proper, honest conversation about the messy middle ground between compassion, sustainability, and valuing your time.

We’ll cover:

• What “concessions” actually mean, and how they differ from pro bono or reduced rates
• Why so many counsellors feel torn about lowering their fees
• Real-world ways to offer concessions without getting taken for granted
• Whether clients still value therapy if they pay less (and what to watch for)
• The role money mindset plays in how you feel about charging
• My own journey with offering concessions, and what I did.

Whether you currently offer reduced fees or not, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and make a choice that feels right for you – not just your clients.

✨ Related episodes:

The Hidden Impact of Money Issues in Private Practice, with Cathy Towers

Should You Offer Therapy Clients a Free First Session?

🌱 Want support with boundaries, pricing and private practice marketing?

Come join us inside the Grow Your Private Practice membership