Somatic Therapy Fees: What Does It Cost and Why?

One of the most practical questions about somatic therapy is also one of the least discussed: what does it actually cost? On most therapist websites, fees are hidden at the bottom of a page, or not listed at all. This is understandable (it feels awkward) but for the client searching for help, it's frustrating. This article provides an honest overview of fees in 2026 in the Netherlands and Belgium, and helps therapists choose a fee they can stand behind.

Average Fees in the Netherlands (2026)

An individual somatic session of 60 to 90 minutes in the Netherlands costs, on average, between 90 and 150 euros. Experienced therapists specializing in trauma or with completed SE, NARM, or ISP training are more often in the range of 110 to 170 euros. In Amsterdam, Utrecht, and the Gooi region, fees are generally about 10 to 20 percent above the national average.

An intake session often lasts 75 or 90 minutes and is sometimes priced separately, between 110 and 180 euros. Package prices (for example, a set of six or ten sessions) do occur, but are not the norm in this niche; most therapists charge per individual session.

Fees in Belgium

In Belgium, the average fee is slightly lower: between 70 and 110 euros per 60-minute session. Recognized clinical psychologists who also work somatically can use conventional rates, but purely somatic therapy usually falls outside of that.

Is Somatic Therapy Reimbursed?

This is the most pressing question. The honest answer: usually partially, sometimes not at all, and it strongly depends on your insurance and your therapist's accreditation.

In the Netherlands: if your therapist is affiliated with a recognized professional association (such as NVPA, NFG, RBCZ, or SBLP) and you have supplementary insurance covering alternative or complementary care, you often receive 30 to 75 euros per session reimbursed, with an annual maximum between 250 and 600 euros. Always check your policy conditions under 'alternative medicine' or 'psychosocial therapy'.

Somatic therapy in the Netherlands is not covered by basic health insurance. Therefore, you do not need a referral from a general practitioner, but you also cannot declare it through your deductible.

In Belgium, a similar picture applies: supplementary insurance from mutualiteiten often reimburses part of psychotherapy and, by extension, body-oriented therapy, but the amounts vary widely per mutualiteit.

The question 'what does it cost?' is actually a question for safety. Be transparent about it, and you'll build trust even before the first session.

Why the Fee Is What It Is

For clients, a fee of 130 euros for one hour can seem substantial. It helps to understand where that money goes. A self-employed somatic therapist rarely works more than 20 client contact hours per week (more is somatically unsustainable without becoming dysregulated themselves). Additionally, there are practice expenses, professional association fees, supervision, continuing education, insurance, administration, and no holiday pay or pension accrual.

Net, from an hourly rate of 130 euros, often 50 to 70 euros remains for the therapist. This is not a luxury rate; it is a specialized field that is fairly priced.

For Therapists: How Do You Determine Your Fee?

Many budding somatic therapists charge too little. This does not do justice to your work and makes your practice financially unsustainable. A few guidelines:

Sliding Scale: Yes or No?

Some therapists work with a sliding scale: a lower fee for people with limited financial means. This can be sincere and wonderful, provided you do it consciously and with boundaries (for example, two spots per week). Without boundaries, it becomes exhausting, and you won't be able to sustain your practice.

Communicating Fees on Your Website

Always display your fees visibly, not hidden. Clients who find your fee too high would probably not be a good match anyway; clients who find it acceptable are relieved to know it beforehand. A block stating '75-minute session: 130 euros, 90-minute intake: 165 euros, reimbursement possible via supplementary insurance' is precisely enough.

Want to make your website stronger, both in content and commercially? Read Website for Somatic Therapists and Marketing for Somatic Therapy for broader context. Or take the Practice Scan for concrete points on your own site.

What to Say When a Client Asks Why It Costs So Much

The question comes up more often than therapists realize, and it's almost never a rejection. It's usually an attempt by the nervous system to understand the expenditure. A brief, calm explanation works better than defensiveness. Something like: 'A 75-minute session costs 130 euros. This includes the session itself, preparation, aftercare, and the years of training required to work somatically and trauma-informed. I understand it's an investment, and I want you to weigh carefully whether this is the right time for you.'

What works in this phrasing: you state the amount without flinching, you explain what's included without justifying, and you give the client space to choose for themselves. Do not offer discounts in this conversation. A discount under pressure undermines both your fee and the client's responsibility for their choice. However, you can refer to colleagues with lower rates or accessible drop-in centers in the region.

Fees and Specialization Grow Together

A fee is not an isolated number; it is linked to how sharp your positioning is. A therapist who specifically focuses on pre-verbal trauma, early attachment, or working with therapists themselves, can charge a higher fee because the client recognizes that this precisely addresses their specific need. The vaguer the profile, the more clients compare on price. The sharper the profile, the more they choose based on fit. That is one of the reasons why positioning work and fee choices in this niche are not separate.

Summary

Are you unsure if your current fee aligns with your current positioning and visibility? The free Practice Scan gives you an honest assessment in five minutes of where your fee, profile, and website do or do not match up. And if you want to know what keywords clients in your city use to find therapy in your price range, the Client Compass gives you a live overview.