Sliding Scale Fee

Adapted from:

Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s “The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice (aka The Green Bottle Method)”

https://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale

As a social worker, making therapy accessible is an important tenet of my work. I also want to respect my boundaries as well as my need to be fairly compensated for my education (completed and continuing), experience, skills, and time. This is why I accept commercial insurance and Medicaid, and offer a sliding scale fee.

The sliding scale fee is if you are uninsured OR if I am not participating with your insurance.

Please use the below guidelines to determine what fee makes sense for you.

❋ Community rate: $100 per session

  • I frequently stress about meeting my basic needs & don’t always meet them

  • I have debt and at times it prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps, cash assistance, and health care

  • I have no savings

  • I have no or very limited expendable income

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

❋ Standard rate: $150 per session

  • I stress at times about meeting my basic needs but I still regularly achieve them

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed

  • I have access to health care

  • I may have access to financial savings

  • I have some expendable income

  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

❋ Pay It Forward rate: $175 per session

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

  • I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have access to financial savings

  • I have an expendable income

  • I can always buy new items

  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off