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In this episode, we’ll hear from New York based therapist, Dr. Heather Stevenson who stands firmly behind her fee…no matter what. You see, Heather is still in the process of growth. Her practice is not full, she hasn’t yet met her income goals, and she doesn’t have clients lined up at her door. But what she does have is the strength and courage to stand her ground when it comes to her fees.
What do we do when we’re in this position and a potential client asks us to lower our fee? Today, we get to hear from someone who is able to say no, despite her practice not being where she wants it to be…yet. Heather understands that in order to build the practice she knows she can build, the dream practice she imagines, that she has to make the tough decisions – starting now. She understands that she must be willing to tolerate the discomfort in between.
Although it’s not easy to stick to your full fee under every circumstance, there are people who are doing it and Heather will explain what it takes – the challenges, the anxieties, and the mindset required to allow someone to do it.
In this episode, Heather will share:
What it was like growing up in a family that was on the poverty line;
How it felt to say no when a potential client asked her to lower her fee;
Why she refuses to settle for less than her fee of $225;
What it’s like being in the midst of growth;
The mindset shift needed in order to stay true to her worth;
The importance of surrounding herself with a community of like-minded therapists.
Resources mentioned:
More about Heather:
Dr. Heather Stevenson is a licensed psychologist with a self-pay only private practice in New York City. Heather transitioned to private practice after leaving a lucrative job in men’s maximum-security prison in California and moved to New York in 2018 to start a new adventure.
She helps clients build a better relationship with themselves through healing attachment traumas, teaching mindfulness practices, and enhancing body awareness in order to help them feel more confident in the world, create better work/life balance, and enhance deeper connections with others. Heather is on a mission to engage more men in men’s work that challenges the traditional cultural norms of masculinity and what it means to “be a man”.
Check out Heather’s website here.
Thank you, ladies! Love everything in this podcast. I raised and have been sticking to my rates for new clients when I went from PT to FT private practice in Feb. 2019. I need to do the same for some of my existing clients, and do have a couple of sliding scale clients, but only a couple. I still catch myself (and my breath for a nanosecond) in that moment of hesitation before giving clients my fee, and am getting better at just putting it out there confidently, and am always so happy when they quickly say, “ok”!
Tiffany, I love what you said about “building wealth financially and emotionally together”, TRUTH! Thanks, too for the Wellness Fi resource! Definitely going to check them out! (btw, tried /tiffany but didn’t work).
A friend in Next Level Practice recommended your podcast. This is my first listen, and I’m happy to say I”m your newest follower! I need this mindset!
Donna!! I am so glad to hear from you and HIGH FIVE on sticking to your new rates. If you haven’t already joined us over in our new FB group, come hang out with us here: http://www.facebook.com/leaninmakebank
You’re exactly the kind of therapist I like to have around.
I needed to hear this today. I am in the same boat. I am not full just yet and I have given myself until I get my ideal amount of clients before I allow myself any sliding scale clients. Full fee first then I can provide a sliding scale if I choose.
Yolanda! We’re so glad this was helpful and the episode resonated with you.
You’re so right. Keep pushing forward and keep us updated on your goals 😊