This is the 3rd  post in the series
Reduced Fees, Sliding Scales, and Lessons Learned.
The series actually begins here.

If You Choose to Provide  a Reduced Fee, How Long Should You Do So?

I’ve had clients who were unemployed when they began working with me, so I offered my services at a reduced fee.   Later, when they secured six figure incomes, they continued to pay the reduced fees.

Lesson learned?  Yep . . . .

Lesson #1

My own issues with money got in the way.  Otherwise, when it came to my attention that my clients were in better financial situations, I would have addressed it directly with each of them rather than feeling taken advantage of.  If that is true for you, you have some work to do and a good therapist can well be worth her full fee to get that cleaned up early.

Lesson #2

What is understood to be “less than enough” by one person may appear to be “more than enough” to another . . . and vice versa.  Get really clear about the circumstances under which you are comfortable providing reduced fees.

Lesson #3

Reduced fees need to have time limits.    Unless you are operating as a charitable organization, consider how long is “long enough” to help someone access your professional services. Limits are good for your client and they are good for you.

Lesson #4

If you offer anyone a “good deal,” they’ll probably take it.  Make sure to think through the offers you want to make before you make them.

Drop me a line and let’s talk about if / how you provide services to clients at a reduced fee.  What does that look like in your practice?  Is it working well for you and your clients?

[The next post in this series can be found here]