From time to time, there are people (clients, friends, etc.) who ask me this question: “Why are psychological services so expensive?” Sometimes, a follow-up question is, “Isn’t it too much for just an hour of conversation?” A few years ago, one of my clients even sincerely asked me what factors influence the pricing of one session. And I understand them. I understand because, at first glance (especially during the first meeting), it may seem that way — you go to a psychologist, talk throughout the session, they listen, ask some questions, you agree on the next session or promise to call back, you pay, and you leave. And on your way home, you may wonder what exactly you paid that 10,000 AMD (or less, or more) for.
This is an important point, as research in organizational and industrial psychology has long shown that people tend to seek information about a product after purchasing it, rather than before — to justify their choice and the expenses made. In other words, they try to convince themselves that the money spent was justified and the decision made was the right one. That’s why product manufacturers usually address this issue at the packaging stage, including brochures and leaflets that explain the product’s benefits and functionality in detail.
However, the results of a psychologist’s work, or psychological counseling and psychotherapy, as we all know, are intangible (unlike a book bought in a bookstore or a coffee in a café) and, at times, even “invisible” or unnoticeable (especially in the initial phase) to the client.
So, why is it expensive, or why does it cost what it costs?
To understand this, one should know what path a professional goes through to become a practicing psychologist and what current expenses they bear. Below, let’s try to break this down by looking at the key points only:
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Academic education
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Postgraduate education or professional training in counseling and psychotherapy
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Supervision
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Continuing education
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Participation in conferences
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Membership in professional organizations
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Other expenses
Academic Education
Naturally, everything starts with university education. In our country, to be called a psychologist, one must have at least a bachelor’s degree, which requires 4 years of study at an accredited institution (e.g., ASPU, YSU). To continue studies and receive specific qualifications (e.g., clinical psychology, psychotherapy, forensic psychology), a master’s degree (2 more years) is required. For 6 years of academic education in Armenia, a future psychologist pays approximately 2-3 million AMD, or about 330-500 thousand AMD per year.
Postgraduate Education
Next, a qualified psychologist (unless choosing an academic research career) continues their education in psychological counseling and psychotherapy. This can be done either at an academic institution (4-6 years) or through various training programs of different duration and intensity. In Armenia, the second option is the only available one, as no universities currently offer postgraduate psychotherapy education.
According to European standards, postgraduate training in psychotherapy (minimum of 3,200 hours) requires approximately 3-5 years (7 years minimum for a European Certificate of Psychotherapy) and costs 3-5 million AMD, i.e., 500 thousand to 1 million AMD per year.
Supervision, Continuing Education, Participation in Conferences, and Professional Membership
The abovementioned are only the initial requirements. For maintaining and improving qualifications, additional professional activities are necessary. A psychologist providing counseling or psychotherapy must ensure ongoing supervision and continuing education (e.g., workshops, training programs) — according to European standards, at least 50 hours per year, costing another 100-350 thousand AMD annually.
Another important element is participation in conferences, where the specialist learns about innovations in the field, attends workshops, and develops new skills. Participating in 1-2 conferences per year requires an additional 20-150 thousand AMD, depending on the nature and status of the event. For international conferences, travel and accommodation costs are added.
Membership in professional organizations (e.g., APA, EAP) is also an essential condition, as it helps the specialist stay informed, develop professionally, and follow ethical guidelines. Annual membership fees range from 15-25 thousand AMD per organization.
Other Expenses
Finally, the psychologist also incurs other expenses — office rent (in Yerevan starting from 100 thousand AMD per month) and taxes (5% turnover tax), or a commission fee (30-60%) if working under a psychological center. Additionally, time spent on Pro Bono or voluntary work, which is an ethical obligation, is unpaid.
Thus, I’ve tried to outline what it takes, financially and professionally, to become and remain a competent psychologist. Of course, I have mentioned only the main points, leaving aside costs such as books, professional journal subscriptions, etc. (some people read only open-access electronic materials).
Now, based on all this, you can decide for yourself whether it is worth paying a psychologist 10,000 AMD (or less, or more) per session (in reality, a dedicated specialist spends an extra 30-60 minutes preparing for each session, which is naturally included in the price) — for the sake of your mental health and well-being.
P.S. Naturally, there are psychologists who [have not yet] gone through this entire path and therefore do not bear such financial obligations, but their services are still not cheap. In this case, it is up to the client to familiarize themselves with the psychologist’s professional biography and decide whether to seek their services.