Guess who is asking for a raise? In this economy no less!

January 30, 2009 | Vetting explained

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Last updated: January 30, 2009

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Hello this is John Riolo and welcome to my Civil Discourse Blog. http://psychjourney_blogs.typepad.com/your_advocate_online/ Guess who is asking for a raise? In this economy no less! No, I’m not referring to CEOs, bankers or stock brokers but it seems psychotherapists and social workers of all people think they need to raise the fees they charge people who are stressed out by this terrible economy as well. I wish I were kidding. The professional organization that I was once a member NASW reports that it is working with *other mental health groups to develop compelling evidence that the psychotherapy codes should be revalued and therefore more can be charged for services. Asking for more money! In this economy? Really? * *

To my colleagues let me paraphrase president Obama’s message to Wall Street bankers , “shameful” there will be time fro them to make profits. But this is not the time. *1*. It true for a Wall street banker or a social worker . This is not the time.

Many psychotherapists report usual and customary fees of $100, $200 or more per hour. They may not always get that on every case but does anyone making that kind of money really need a increase while most of the people they serve are loosing jobs by the millions? *

I*n fairness often when social workers and other psychotherapists talk about increasing fees they are not just talking about the fees they charge their clients who pay out of pocket but rather they are referring to the rates that insurance companies will reimburse. These rates can be lower than the usual and customary fee they report. Nonetheless it is a good deal more than the average working stiff gets an hour. Make no mistake even if we are only talking about insurance rates an increase will be passed on to the subscribers and employers who are already struggling in this down economy. The last thing a small business or a someone needing mental health services needs these days is to pay more for health insurance right now. So if you are seeing a therapist or thinking of seeing one and they tell you that they need to raise their fees, tell them that there is a time an place to ask for more money. BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME. Social workers of all people should know better. If you agree, let me know. If you don’t agree let me know also. You may also want to let organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and the American psychological Association know as well.

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1 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/business/30obama.html?_r=1&hp

Posted in Assignment:
Signs of the economic times

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