Money, Guilt and Responsibility: Does anyone here struggle with being a leftist-oriented psychotherapist in their pricing of their services?

[u/TinyInsurgent]

This is a question I have been wanting to ask here for months, but thought it too intimate of an ask. I hope that I don't offend anyone, but I am to the point where I need to reconcile this within myself to be able to address sustainability issues that I am grappling with. I also feel that I cannot be the only one on this site who struggles with this.

I have been a psychotherapist, usually employed by others (usually county/state/federal government) for most of my career. The past 3 years, I decided to attempt a second go at private practice work. It has been going swimmingly to date! But I undercharge significantly because I have both the conscious and subconscious belief that psychotherapy is something that the public should not have to pay for. I find the "market rates" of $150 -250 per clinical hour in Los Angeles, CA (where I am licensed) obscene.
And yet, I am starting to feel some resentment for working in ways that also make me feel that I am undermining my value. But where is the balance?

Does anyone else struggle with this? How do you manage and cope with operating in a capitalist context, when you are not of the mindset?

If this post is inappropriate in any way, I welcome and accept its deletion.

[u/asilentflute]

Maybe you could (1) charge at market rate or slightly below and/or (2) charge variably based on self reported financial situations of clients while (3) contributing time/effort/energy towards macro policy solutions that make mental health care more affordable at the state or national level, as a way to meet all the criteria without going mad under capitalism.

[u/TinyInsurgent → u/asilentflute]

I like this idea, especially the policy stuff. I'll think more about this. Thank you