I think we have to differentiate between Pain Management which is a billion dollar industry of epic proportions that has wreaked an opiate epidemic, and TMS therapists or coaches. Practitioners in the mind body field are not there to offer "pain relief" , but rather to uncover the root cause of why a person's anxiety has manifested in learned pain through somatic pathways. By collaborating with the patient/client, the goal is to reverse the strategy and help them to become empowered. This is usually short term ( a few sessions, or a few months), as opposed to being dependent on a practitioner, such as a pain management dr., a chiropractor, acupuncturist , PT etc. etc etc. Anyone who goes into the mind body field is not motivated by money, as it's a hard sell to begin with, and it is not a field in which one gets "rich". There are a lot of fancy clinics and spas in the mainstream world (Mayo Clinic or Spero Clinic or Cleveland Clinic for ex, as well as woo woo/ alternative clinics that can cost 6K per week), but there is nothing like that in the TMS/MBS world. As far as the mental health field just in general, most psychiatrists do charge easily 3oo and up per hour, as do many psychologists ...so this is not unique to those who specialize in chronic pain (TMS). In NYC, even a personal trainer can cost a few hundred an hour. The vast majority of social workers, coaches and even psychologists (some are my personal friends) earn modest incomes and went into the field because they have a heart for it. They are compensated for their time and often they go above and beyond for their clients. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to do this kind of work and it's not something any ethical therapist or coach takes lightly. These are people's lives and stories they are entrusted with. Are there many charlatans and scammers in the world who market "pain relief"? yes sure...look at the weight loss industry or even autism (you should see how they prey on vulnerable parents of children diagnosed with autism), but it's up to you to discern and check a person's qualifications before investing your money. We are on the cusp of huge paradigm shift and insurance companies are recognizing that this kind of therapy (tms therapy) ameliorates people's lives and helps them to reclaim their lives and earning potential, rather than draining society. Not only has it been proven to be far more effective than pain management or traditional therapies that help people "cope" (whatever that means!), it is far quicker process. When I look back on my own, all expense paid trip through the hell of the medical mill, I spent untold amounts on ketamine, nerve blocks, drugs, calmare therapy, alternative quackery... and a fraction of that on TMS therapy... which was worth EVERY PENNY. While it's true that one can get better on their own (books, online programs etc) and there are many wonderful volunteers here on the wiki, sometimes you just need a little extra support and one on one. You may even need to speak to a practitioner who suffered from something similar to you and can help you gain clarity and guide you out of the wilderness. I know I certainly did, and it paid off. Did I begrudge my therapists at The Pain Psychology Center for charging me? Of course not! They offer a service, skill sets, expertise, and TIME. That has value, just as anything else does. I don't expect my hair stylist to color and cut my hair for free, so why should a therapist or coach? In closing, I think it's important not to lump everyone in the same category because there are vast differences in premises and approaches and goals...as well as fees.
), but I have decided this is best for my attitude, my commitment and engagement, and helps maintain a clear relationship for working with TMS. And yes, I spent about 20K in one year on all the wrong treatments, before I learned about TMS, so there's that. 
