What are you worth?

Today's post is for therapists (or anyone who is self-employed) struggling with the issue of what rate to charge their clients.

Almost every new therapist I have ever talked to has had problems setting their rates. The main problem seems to be based on the fear that they will not get the clients they want if their rates are too high. I tell them, "You will not get the clients you want if your rates are too LOW." You will not get higher paying clients with discount rates because they will look at your rates and judge you unworthy or unqualified; your potential customers will always agree with what you believe you are worth, no matter how high or low.

So my first recommendation is to work on your beliefs. Are your thoughts based on fear? Do you fear that you will not have enough clients? Do you fear that clients can not afford you? Do you fear that you are not worthy of charging more? Do you fear that you will not know how to handle a successful business? If you answered yes to any or all of the above then your thoughts will create all that you fear (and more). Your fear factors will win if your rates are too low; you may get a good clientele base charging $30 per hour, but you will eventually burn out and quit, or you will hurt yourself (literally) doing so many massages in order to pay your bills, that you will be forced to retire.

So how do you set your rates higher? Your rates are a reflection of the beliefs you hold about 1) your self worth, 2) your self worth, and 3) your self worth. When I first started in 2002, my rate was about half of what it is today; my rate is just one reflection of how much I have grown.

So how do you change your fears to possibilities that feed you instead of feeding on you? Imagine your ideal scenario. What would it look like to have the perfect business? How would you feel? Elaborate on what you would ideally do on a daily basis. Focus your energy on feeling happy and well fed by your business. If you could have as many or few clients as you wished what would that number be? If you could charge anything you wished for your services, what would that number be? Allow for more than what you imagine by adding the thought "or better" to the scenarios you choose. What kind of work and location would you prefer? What styles of bodywork would you prefer to perform? Would you prefer to work on people to relieve their pain or pamper them? Every nuance and description helps create what you wish. Read Ask and It Is Given and think of your intention and ideal scene everyday.

Business is only one manifestation of life. Are you someone who knows how to handle money well enough to have a cushion in savings and no debt? Do you handle relationships well enough to have many friends and few enemies? Are you responsible enough to tell the truth and keep your commitments? Are your actions and intentions in alignment (i.e. do you do what you say)? Are you happy with your life?

You really do get what you ask for in life. Set your rates by adding value to yourself and by setting all areas of your life in order. Massage rates in Los Angeles fluctuate between $30-$300. Choose a rate that would make you happy; any limits are self imposed. I have heard of one therapist who does not set a rate and allows everyone to pay according to what they think the session was worth to them and what they can afford; some of his clients are pro bono, but others pay him$1000 a session. It takes confidence and courage to so what he does, but it also shows that you always get what you are worth in the balance.

Whatever you choose to do, do it with the intention for happiness, instead of out of fear for the worst.