When therapy is mentioned, people always tend to think that it consists of an individual venting to the therapist whilst the therapist just takes notes about the said claims of the person. Little do they know that this is barely one fragment of what therapy actually is. Unfortunately, a huge barrier impedes many the ability of many people from accessing therapy of any type. This barrier impedes on the their right to access treatment for their own well-being. This very barrier is money. This inane man-made “worthy” piece of paper is a tyrannical ruler that is literally depriving people from seeking help when they may need it, especially in the MENA region. Till now, money stands as despotic threat for many people who are unable to pay such substantial amounts of money.
The History Behind the Issue
To completely understand the issue of high costs of therapy, a historical background needs to be discussed. Our ancestors never had the opportunity to learn about mental health or psychology as much as first world countries have since they were heavily invested and engrossed in philosophy, mathematics, and medicine, which led to a loop. According to the American Scientist, psychology was developed in regions in North America during the 1900s. Consequently, nowadays, our Arab society is only slightly knowledgeable about mental health, which led to mental health being stigmatized and considered shameful. Many Arabs consider mental health to be a taboo or (عيب), and some even believe that it is a faulty Western concept. Hence, psychology is trivialized in this region, which leads to the scarcity of professional therapists or psychologists in the region. If we adhere to the law of supply and demand in this situation, then the prices would increase because of low supply of the service, which is therapy.
The Actual Cost of Therapy
Prices for therapy sessions are bewildering, and they keep gradually increasing every year. As per the Northwestern Mutual, generally, therapy costs around 65 $ to 250 $ per session. Furthermore, research has shown that, on average, therapy is most effective and is fully integrated into the lives of clients when they attend 12 to 16 sessions once every week – treatment varies from one person to another. If a person were to attend a session every week for 12 weeks, then they would have to pay 780 $, which is completely bizarre – that is assuming that the price was 65 $. However, in the UAE for instance, the price for one therapy session is ranges from 350 AED to 1,200 AED. Also, unfortunately, insurance does not cover the expenses of therapy, leaving people very hopeless since they cannot seek professional help. All the aforementioned facts worsen the pre-existing stigma and the preconceived notion that mental health is insignificant, which can immensely regress the society.
An Unpleasant Pattern
As I am writing this article, I noticed a pattern that heralds devastation. This pattern I am referring to is the presence of stigma whenever mental health is discussed. Stigma is associated with mental illnesses, the suppression of emotions, and now the high cost of therapy – not to mention that stigma arises from a conservative society that loathes any novel ideas being introduced. Hence, this same society, the Arab society, would repudiate the importance of therapy. If therapy is not prevalent, then mental illnesses will develop, and the suppression of emotions will bolster. Do you see the interconnectivity of all these aspects? A knot is yet to be untied by this society. Let us hope this now will not be forgotten by the advocates. We need to gradually untie this knot to ensure the vast presence of therapists at a considerable amount. Collectively, this knot will be untied.