ABSTRACT
Every therapist has to deal with his or her own human greed and defences against it. The therapist is also seeking the narcissistic satisfaction of being a therapist as well as having the associated income. This chapter examines the processes that occur in the consulting room where the psyche of the therapist interacts with the psyche of the patient in relation to payment, thefts, debts, and gifts. It draws on experience in private practice and in a large clinic as well as in the National Health Service (NHS). Payment is desirable both for the therapist and for the patient. Payment by cheque means that there is a person to person transaction and it is immediately apparent whether the debt has been paid in full or not. The assessment session is the point at which the therapist also needs to tackle the question of payment for missed sessions.
