The Investment of Therapy
- Talisa Haskins
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Why It’s Worth Prioritizing
Written by Talisa Haskins
A couple years ago we explored Why is Therapy So Expensive? on our blog, diving into education requirements, regulatory fees, session prep, and the many behind-the-scenes costs that make therapy what it is. Building on that foundation, this post is about helping you see therapy as an investment in your life, rather than an expense to begrudge.
Everyday Investments We Accept Without Thinking
Think about the last big purchase you made: your phone, a laptop, car maintenance, a streaming or fitness membership. We often don’t blink at these costs because we see them as tools — things that deliver value over time. A phone helps you stay connected, informed, efficient. A good laptop lets you work, learn.
Why then do so many people hesitate when it comes to therapy — a tool that supports your inner world, improves relationships, daily functioning, and mental wellbeing?
What You're Really Paying For
The things that make therapy “costly” are what give it value. From our earlier blog, some of these include:
Education and training — therapists in Ontario undergo years of schooling, post-graduate work, supervision, licensing, and ongoing professional development.
Regulation and ethics — therapy is a regulated profession. Therapists must meet standards for quality, privacy, safety, registration, and continuous oversight.
Behind-the-scenes work — sessions aren’t just the hour you spend speaking. There’s prep, follow-up, notes, case consultation, maintaining the space, training, insurance. All of these support ethical care.
Operational costs — therapy practices have rent, utilities, marketing or communication costs, administrative support. These are often invisible but real parts of what makes the service possible.
What You Receive in Return
When you “invest” in therapy, here’s what you gain — and gains that often ripple outward:
Greater clarity about your feelings, values, hopes, and fears
Better tools for managing stress, anxiety, depression, or relational issues - personalized to your needs.
Improved relationships: communication, boundaries, empathy — for you, and often with those around you
Stronger resilience: coping with life’s unexpected challenges with more self-awareness and flexibility
Long-term emotional health: decisions made in therapy tend to pay off well into the future, sometimes in ways you don’t immediately see
Viewing Therapy as a Tool, Not a Luxury
You invest in a good phone because you believe it will serve you for years — keep you connected, working, entertained. Therapy is another tool like that, but for your most important “asset”: you.
Considering therapy as a long-term investment can shift how you budget for it, prioritize it, and perhaps even choose to make trade-offs elsewhere because the return on investment may be greater: more wellbeing, more connection, more capacity to live fully.
When the Cost Feels Like a Barrier
We know it’s not always easy. Money tight? Insurance limited? Other expenses pressing? These are very real constraints. Here are a few ideas for making therapy more accessible:
Use insurance or benefit plans — If you have private insurance, it might cover part or all of therapy.
Prioritize fewer sessions but with intention — Even occasional therapy with good preparation and follow-up can have impact.
Opt to work with one of our interns who offer quality care at a lower rate.
Conclusion: What You’re Really Investing In
When you choose therapy, you’re not investing in just an hour on the calendar. You’re investing in:
Your capacity to feel, heal, grow
Your relationships, your clarity, your sense of peace
Your future self, in how you’ll respond to life’s ups and downs
If you’ve been hesitating because of cost, remember: investing in your mental health is one of the strongest statements of self-value. You deserve to prioritize your emotional wellbeing.
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