A “sliding scale” fee system refers to counselors, like myself, and other professionals offer reduced prices for services based on individuals’ financial need. Many counselors who only offer “private pay” or “out-of-pocket” services (i.e. who do not/cannot take insurance), will offer “sliding scale” fees in order to make their services more accessible to individuals regardless of financial status.

I truly believe that mental health care should be available to everyone. If you’re unsure about affording my base-rates for sessions as listed above, just let me know during our initial consult call. While I cannot guarantee that I can offer a sliding scale rate that will be affordable to you, I will make every effort to find an option that works for both of us. In order to sustain my business and work, I can only offer a limited number of sliding scale rates to clients on a case-by-case basis.

Due to each client having a unique financial situation and need, the exact reduced rate that I will offer for sliding-scale will differ slightly from client to client. For example, if you are choosing to work with me out-of-pocket instead of seeing a therapist through your insurance, we might discuss what your insurance co-pay would be for therapy and try to match your sliding-scale rate as close to that as I can. I will not ask for your financial details or a verification of income in our conversation. I will simply discuss with you what options feel more accessible and sustainable for you to access consistent mental health care. There is no perfect “formula” for determining these reduced rates, and my goal is to find an equitable, affordable balance with as many clients as possible.

It’s also helpful to remember that if you can afford to pay a little more on your sliding scale rate, that may allow me to offer more sliding scale options for other clients that cannot afford as much.