Hello I am a black therapist. I am from the US but live outside of the US. Since I live outside the US, I am unable to accept insurance.

How are private pay only therapists sustaining themselves?

All of my clients are bipoc, queer, ND and all have a variety of complex trauma. I name all of this to say, that many of my clients who are employed struggle in their jobs, navigate ongoing under employment or have been consistently racially targeted which makes work exhausting. Many, not all are first generation college grads, so they don’t have the resources of parents paying for their therapy or have many supports in general.

Personally, working with white clients is so draining and they rarely seek me out for therapy. I am ok with that, and at the same time feel resentment towards white therapist who can access private pay clients who have resources to pay their full rate.

I do run coaching groups, I am autistic and work with bipoc autistic people, yet I find myself financially struggling in that arena as well.

I support my clients with the use of vouchers, low reduced fees, etc.

I’m writing, because I fear this will only get worse. What are other black and brown therapists doing to survive? Are their other roles you have taken on to supplement your income?

I have been in private practice for 5 years. I am not trained in a lucrative model such as IFS, SE or emdr. The cost and the emotional labor of being in a white space just seems so overwhelming.