Abundant Practice Podcast

Episode #726: Stop Putting Off Fee Increase
Host: Allison Puryear
Date: January 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Allison Puryear tackles one of the most common pain points for therapists in private practice: raising fees and communicating those changes to clients. She dissects the mental blocks and procrastination therapists face around fee increases, and provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide (in her trademark supportive, no-B.S. style) to ensure listeners finally take this crucial business step with both confidence and compassion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. You Didn’t Miss the Boat—Just Change the Date (02:30)

• Therapists often panic if they miss an “ideal” increase date, like January 1st.
• Allison: “January 1st is not the only date on the calendar. Your new fee date is simply six weeks from whenever you tell your clients. You didn't blow anything. You didn't lose your chance. You just… you start now.”
  • Timestamp: 03:10
• The fee increase can begin six weeks from whenever you communicate it; you choose when to start.

2. Communicate in Session First—But Use Email as Backup (04:00)

• Best practice is to inform clients in-session.
• Recognizing therapists often “forget” or avoid, Allison offers a practical alternative:
  • Quote: “If you find yourself ‘forgetting’ in session again and again… then you need to have a backup plan which is to send an email first. Why? Because when you put it in writing, now all of a sudden you’re accountable to bring it up in session.”
    • Timestamp: 04:22

3. The Perfect Script—Say It, Don’t Over-Explain (05:10)

• A clear, concise approach is best—no lengthy explanations or apologies.
• Allison’s script:
  • “I want to let you know that my fee will be increasing to [new fee] starting [date, six weeks from now]. I’m going to send you a new financial agreement and a good faith estimate to sign. Please feel free to bring any questions you have to today’s session or next time.”
    • Timestamp: 05:32
• Avoid overcomplicating with details about inflation, personal life, or apologizing excessively.

4. Follow Up in Writing—Be Compliant (06:15)

• Immediately send written documentation and new agreements after notifying clients.
• Allison: “Anytime your financial agreements change, these documents need to be updated. We follow the rules. We are adults and professionals. We're also very tired, but we are still compliant.”
  • Timestamp: 06:47

5. Don’t Assume Clients Can’t Handle It (07:05)

• Therapists tend to write “fictional economic backstories” for clients based on little real information.
• Quote: “Stop doing that. You do not know their finances. You do not know their priorities. You do not know what they will or won’t invest in.”
  • Timestamp: 07:25
• Clients are responsible for stating if the new fee won’t work; it’s not the therapist’s job to assume or preemptively discount.

6. Know in Advance Who Gets an Exception (08:05)

• Before telling anyone, get clear (write it down!) if you’re willing to keep certain clients at the current rate (effectively a form of sliding scale).
• Evaluate for resentment—only make exceptions for clients you’re happy to remain accessible to.
• Allison: “If they go on vacation, you’re not going to be like, ‘Interesting that you can go to Europe but you can’t pay my fee.’”
  • Timestamp: 08:29
• Also, recognize who you’d rather refer out if fee increase is an issue (clients who aren’t a great match, winding down, or disengaged).

7. If a Client Can’t Pay—Have a Plan (09:10)

• Two ethical options:
  • A: Offer referrals—assist clients in finding sustainable care.
  • B: Stick with your predetermined exceptions, but do not negotiate lower than your current rate.
• Quote: “You are not obligated to keep everyone. You are not obligated to adjust for everyone. You are not obligated to do emotional CPR on someone’s financial discomfort. You are obligated to respond with care, to offer options, and to have boundaries.”
  • Timestamp: 09:38

8. Most Clients Will Be Fine (09:50)

• In Allison’s experience, most clients accept the change; few ask to discuss it, fewer still cannot continue.
• Exception: Switching from insurance to private pay may mean more attrition, but that’s not a failure, it’s a transition.
• Allison: “It’s just information. It’s a transition moment when you’re prepared for.”
  • Timestamp: 10:23

9. Raising Fees Is a Key to Sustainability (10:30)

• Fee raises are essential for a resourced, burnout-free practice.
• The structure Allison outlines (six weeks’ notice, clear communication, updated agreements, compassion, and options) is the hallmark of a healthy private practice.
• Quote: “Six weeks from now, you’ll be sitting in your car sipping your tea wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.”
  • Timestamp: 10:34

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On overcomplicating fee increases:
  “You just did the therapist thing, where you panic about a perfectly normal business decision and then accidentally avoid it for three weeks or six months or however long.”
  —Allison (03:46)
• On client assumptions:
  “We write these whole fictional economic backstories for our clients based on what little information we actually have from them.”
  —Allison (07:10)
• On maintaining boundaries:
  “You are not obligated to do emotional CPR on someone’s financial discomfort. You are obligated to respond with care, to offer options, and to have boundaries.”
  —Allison (09:40)
• On taking action:
  “You’re ready. You can do this. Six weeks from now, you’ll be sitting in your car sipping your tea wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.”
  —Allison (10:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:30 – Missed the “ideal” raise date? Here’s what to do next.
• 04:00 – In-session versus email notification strategies.
• 05:10 – The exact fee-increase script therapists can use.
• 06:15 – Written notice and compliance requirements.
• 07:05 – Challenge assumptions about clients’ financial situations.
• 08:05 – How to decide who gets a sliding scale/exception.
• 09:10 – Handling clients who can’t pay: referrals and boundaries.
• 10:30 – Why fee increases ensure clinical sustainability.

Overall Takeaway

Allison’s episode is a direct, actionable, and heartfelt pep talk for therapists paralyzed by fee increase anxiety. She breaks down the process so it’s almost foolproof to execute—eliminating overthinking and guilt, and empowering therapists to uphold boundaries that serve both their clients and themselves.

If you’re stuck on raising your fees, use Allison’s step-by-step plan and scripts. Start today: your sustainable practice depends on it.