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, I strongly believe that 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 insurance, including Medicaid, and offer a sliding scale fee.

The sliding scale fee is if you are uninsured OR I am not participating with your insurance OR if you would like to avoid using your insurance benefit (perhaps for privacy reasons).

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

❋ Community rate: $75 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

❋ Pay It Forward rate: $150 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

❋ Standard rate: $100 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