How much should I get paid for giving a private counseling session?

I have recently completed my Advanced Diploma of Counseling and Psychology and I would like to work from home. I am a Registered Nurse and a mature person with substantial life experience. How much should I charge for a one hour counseling session? And how can I advertise myself? Thank you for your ideas.|||Here is my opinion, use it or dont use it, lol.





After my dad passed away 10 years ago (I was 15) I took it very hard and was depressed for many years, I rebelled and ended up being a pretty ugly person. Through it all I wanted to go for therapy but here in South Africa they wanted to charge about R500 a session (which is alot of money), we didnt have that extra cash for me to go for any form of counseling and so I had to push on by myself. I still have issues but managed to eventually find someone who came in at a much cheaper rate and I went for a year and did manage to sort out alot of my problems.





You need to decide if the reason you got this diploma was for a specific purpose, are you doing it to help people? To only make money? or a both? because that will play a big role in what you decide. I believe there are so many people out there who want the help but cant afford the higher prices per session. I also believe that if you have a reasonable rate (catering for all classes) you will get more business in and be helping people who really need it at the same time.





I'm not sure where you are or in what currency you earn so I cant give you a better opinion of what you should charge. That will be up to you. All I know is here there are so many people who charge the world per session and alot of people dont have medical aid and that much extra cash in their pocket. I feel its so unfair that only the rich are able to go for counseling when there are so many other people who need it too.





You dont want to run at a loss so dont put your price so far down that you never make some money, after all you did go and study, you spend many years getting yourself this diploma behind your name. but in my honest opinion I think you may get a bigger client base if you cater for everyone and not charge a ridiculous price.





Maybe do some research and see who in your area is charging what and take it from there.





Good luck!