Hourly Rate of a Clinical Psychologist

Therapy Sessions

If you want to learn to change behaviors that are getting in the way of your social or professional success or deal with those panic attacks, an individual counseling session is a good place to start. Many clinical psychologists work in private practice and see patients one-on-one. The initial session may last up to 90 minutes and ongoing therapy sessions are usually about an hour. Each psychologist sets her own rates, taking into account the going rate in her community.

Rate Setting

Psychologists often have different rates for different services. She may charge a higher rate for an initial evaluation, which takes longer and includes extensive questioning and assessment to determine what’s going on. Couples therapy could have a different rate -- after all, she’s working with two people and all that he said/she said stuff can be hard to sort out. Some clinical psychologists specialize in areas such as forensic psychology -- helping the courts decide if someone is able to stand trial or explaining the details of mental illness to a jury. A forensic clinical psychologist may charge a different rate for expert witness testimony.

Location and Rates

Where you live can affect your wages and a clinical psychologist may adjust her rates accordingly. In Mississippi, the average hourly rate was $22.70 in 2011, according to the BLS, although that may also include salaried psychologists who do not charge separate fees. In Rhode Island, the rate jumps to $39.47, and in New Jersey, the average hourly rate is $46.25. Generally speaking, clinical psychologists are more likely to be found in metropolitan areas, which may also have a higher cost of living, and that may affect their fees and hourly rates.

Examples of Rates

A quick sample of some individual clinical psychologists’ fees shows them to be all over the map. Dr. Jeff Daly practices in Carlsbad, California. His hourly rate is $150 per session and $25 for additional services, such as extensive telephone calls. Legal testimony costs $300 an hour. Dr. Lisa Lombard of Chicago, Illinois, charges an hourly fee ranging from $35 for a 15 minute office consultation to $180 for a 90 minute counseling session. She also has different hourly fees for group and couples therapy and charges $200 an hour for expert testimony. Dr. Claudia Diez works in New York City, and her standard fee is $200 an hour. Dr. Amy D. Rouse of Westerville, Ohio, has an average fee of $130 to $150 per session, according to "Psychology Today."