Can we talk numbers?
I'm in the process of a career change. I wanted to be a therapist when I was an undergrad but never pursued it. Now 20 years later, I'm thinking of quitting my 16 year corporate job and going back to school.
I'm aware that the money isn't great for the first few years while under supervision, but it doesn't seem so bad after that. Granted, I'm coming at this knowing that for me, it's private practice or bust. I don't think I have much interest in working in other settings after licensure.
I talked to my own therapist about it and she was quite candid. She bills at $150 an hour, Headway takes their cut, and she gets 130. If I assume she averages 20 sessions a week, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less, and takes 4 weeks off a year, that's about 120k. Obviously minus taxes, like any other job, and minus expenses and health insurance if one doesn't have a partner who gets it.
But still, not too bad. She says that notes take her a couple minutes after each session. So it's essentially a part time job for 120k a year.
Am I missing something? Because that sounds pretty damn good to me. My current pay is higher, but I'm so done with this industry.
Posted May 28, 2026, 5:10 PM UTC