What is Financial Therapy?
How Financial Therapy Can Transform Your Relationship with Finances
Feeling stuck when it comes to money?
You’re not alone. Money is one of the top sources of stress for Americans. Yet many people don’t know where to turn for help — or how to begin changing the financial habits that are causing them harm.
You might find yourself:
Overspending on things that don’t really matter
Avoiding bank statements or bills
Arguing with a partner about budgeting
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or ashamed about your finances
Even though money is always on your mind, actually making progress can feel impossible.
Why traditional approaches often fall short
If you’ve ever reached out to a financial advisor or therapist, you may have felt like your needs weren’t fully addressed.
That’s not your fault. Most financial professionals don’t have training in how emotions and beliefs shape money behavior. And many therapists steer clear of money issues altogether, despite how central they are to everyday life.
A new solution: Financial therapy
Financial therapy bridges this gap. It’s a growing field that integrates mental health expertise with financial guidance. The idea took root after the 2008 financial crisis, when advisors faced emotionally distraught clients, and therapists found that money was suddenly all their clients wanted to talk about.
A financial therapist is trained in both counseling and finance, which means they can help you:
Understand the beliefs and emotions driving your financial decisions
Change patterns that no longer serve you
Build healthier money habits based on your values
Why knowledge alone isn’t enough
Most people already know what they “should” be doing with money. But just like quitting smoking or changing your diet, knowing isn’t the same as doing.
That’s because financial behaviors are often rooted in:
Unconscious lessons from childhood
Conflicting emotions
Social pressure to spend
Deeply ingrained beliefs about worth, success, or security
Financial therapy helps you uncover what’s really behind your money struggles — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
What issues can financial therapy help with?
Financial therapy is often short-term and goal-focused. It can help with:
Financial stress or anxiety
Conflicts with a spouse or partner about money
Inheritance-related concerns
Overspending or compulsive shopping
Avoidance of financial planning or decisions
Gambling or risk-taking behavior
Learning financial basics and building a healthier relationship with money
Whether you’re starting out or stuck in a cycle you can’t seem to break, financial therapy offers a powerful path forward.
Ready to rewrite your money story?
If you’ve tried to make financial changes and still feel stuck, it may be time for a different approach. As a certified financial therapist, I help clients uncover what’s really going on — and support them in building a financial life that reflects their values, goals, and emotional well-being.
Let’s start the conversation. Schedule a free consultation.