Abundant Practice Podcast - Episode #647: Are You Charging Too Much
Release Date: May 10, 2025
Host: Allison Puryear
In Episode #647 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into a crucial concern for many therapists: "Are You Charging Too Much?" This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of fee setting, addressing both mindset challenges and business model alignment to help therapists cultivate thriving private practices.
1. Understanding the Concern: Is Your Fee Too High?
Allison opens the episode by acknowledging the discomfort that arises when therapists question their fee structures. She emphasizes that determining whether a fee is too high isn't a straightforward yes-or-no decision but involves a deeper analysis of both mindset and business alignment.
“I want you to know it's okay if you've been questioning if your fee is too high. But here's the thing. It's not a simple yes or no question and answer situation.”
— Allison Puryear [02:15]
2. Identifying the Two Groups
Allison categorizes therapists facing fee concerns into two distinct groups:
Group 1: Mindset-Related Concerns
- Characteristics: Therapists in this group often struggle with imposter syndrome, fear of rejection, or doubt about their worth.
- Core Issue: The perceived high fee is more about internal fears and inadequate marketing rather than the actual price.
- Solution: Enhance marketing strategies to effectively communicate value, and work on mindset to confidently state fees.
“The fee is not the problem. It's your marketing.”
— Allison Puryear [06:30]
Group 2: Alignment with Business Model
- Characteristics: These therapists have been charging a fee for some time but feel a disconnect between their pricing and their business's evolving goals.
- Core Issue: The fee may have once been appropriate but no longer aligns with the therapist’s current vision or the services offered.
- Solution: Reflect on business goals, possibly restructure service offerings to better align with personal and professional aspirations.
“When you are in business for yourself, it is not just about what you charge. It's how your fee aligns with your vision for your work and your life.”
— Allison Puryear [07:45]
3. Allison’s Personal Journey: From Consulting to the Abundance Party
Allison shares a personal anecdote to illustrate Group 2’s challenges. In 2017, she raised her consulting fees due to increasing demand but soon felt uneasy despite the business growth. This discomfort wasn't about the money but about misalignment with her purpose.
- Initial Success: Raised consulting fees to alleviate time constraints, resulting in continued client acquisition.
- Growing Unease: Despite financial success, Allison felt something was off, leading to introspection.
- Realization: The issue wasn't the fee but the delivery model, which limited her ability to impact a broader audience.
- Solution: Transitioned from individual consulting to creating the Abundance Party, enabling her to serve more people at accessible price points, aligning with her mission to help build successful practices broadly.
“My purpose wasn't about working with just a few clients at a time. My model was about helping more people build successful practices.”
— Allison Puryear [05:20]
4. Aligning Fees with Purpose and Business Goals
Allison underscores the importance of ensuring that fees reflect both personal values and business objectives. She advises therapists to undertake self-reflection to determine whether their current pricing aligns with their desired impact and operational model.
Steps to Align Fees:
- Self-Reflection: Assess feelings about current fees. Are they driven by money shame, imposter syndrome, or misaligned service offerings?
- Evaluate Business Model: Consider if the current structure supports your long-term goals. For example, transitioning to group sessions or scalable models may better serve your mission.
- Align with Purpose: Ensure that your fee supports the kind of work you want to do and the lives you aim to impact.
- Continuous Adjustment: Recognize that as your practice evolves, so might your fee structure. Regularly revisit and adjust as necessary.
“Your fee could support your overall business and your personal goals.”
— Allison Puryear [08:30]
5. Practical Tools and Resources
To aid therapists in navigating fee structures, Allison offers practical tools and resources:
- Free Worksheet: Setting Your Fees Worksheet to explore and establish appropriate fee structures.
- Membership Program: Abundance Party—a step-by-step membership program designed to help therapists work fewer hours, increase income, and better serve their clients.
- Additional Resources: Access to free trainings, checklists, and a supportive community through AbundancePracticeBuilding.com.
“If you're struggling with pricing or you want some guidance on how to navigate it, I've created a worksheet to help you explore your own free structure, make the right decisions for your practice.”
— Allison Puryear [09:30]
6. Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Allison concludes by reinforcing that fees are not a reflection of a therapist’s worth but a component of a well-aligned business strategy. She encourages continuous reflection and adaptation to ensure that fee structures support both personal fulfillment and professional success.
“The fee you charge should feel expansive. It should feel aligned with your personal goals.”
— Allison Puryear [09:55]
Key Takeaways
- Identify Your Group: Determine whether your fee concerns stem from mindset issues or misalignment with your business model.
- Reflect and Align: Regularly assess if your fees and business structure align with your evolving goals and values.
- Utilize Resources: Leverage available tools and communities, such as the Abundance Party, to support your practice’s growth and alignment.
- Continuous Evolution: Understand that fee structures and business models are dynamic and may need adjustments as your practice develops.
For therapists seeking to refine their fee structures and align their practices with their personal and professional aspirations, this episode of the Abundant Practice Podcast provides invaluable insights and actionable strategies. Whether grappling with self-doubt or restructuring business models, Allison Puryear offers guidance to cultivate a more fulfilling and prosperous private practice.
Access Additional Resources:
- Free Worksheets and Checklists: AbundancePracticeBuilding.com
- Membership Program: Abundance Party
- Support Email: help@abundancepracticebuilding.com
Join the Conversation: If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with a therapist colleague and leave a rate and review to support the podcast's mission to help build successful private practices.