I am currently self-pay and do not accept insurance, but am happy to provide a receipt to submit to your insurance for your deductible. I accept cash, check, major credit cards, and HSA/FSA as payment.
I believe therapy is a time, energy, and financial investment in imagining and creating a life and world that is nourishing and sustaining, and I believe that it should be accessible to all. Please take a moment to read the following in its entirety to fully understand how my fee structure functions. I welcome any questions you might have about using this kind of fee structure!
Economic Justice Based Fee Structure:
- Full Bottle Level: $150-$180 per 55 minute session.
- Mostly Full Level: $120-$150 per 55 minute session.
- Half Full Level: $90-120 per 55 minute session.
- Least Full Level: $60-90 per 55 minute session.
- Economic Crisis: I reserve 2 community-funded pro-bono spots.
What is an economic justice based fee?
Equity is at the core of an economic justice based fee structure. Unlike equality, where the goal is sameness across the board, equity is the idea that each person ought to receive what they specifically and uniquely need based on their individual life circumstances and how they are impacted by the systems of our society. In a similar way, equity can be applied to the amount an individual is asked to pay for a service. My fee structure is based on equity and asks you to consider what your economic needs and privileges are when thinking about how much you are willing and able to invest in therapy. *Note: Income is only one factor of financial experience. For this reason I do not utilize a fee structure based on how much you earn alone and I never ask for income verification.
How do I know which tier to select?
There are a limited number of spots at the Least Full and Half Full levels and unlimited spots in the Mostly Full and Full Levels. While it is important to me that finances not be a burden to anyone seeking therapy, I also need to be realistic about what is financially sustainable for me to be able to maintain my work and have the ability to show up fully with each therapy participant. Additionally, I am able to offer more free of cost and low cost resources and workshops to everyone when I am paid in a sustainable way for my work.
The ultimate goal is to have enough folks investing at the Full and Mostly Full levels in order to continue to make it possible for other folks who need it to invest at the Half Full and Least Full levels. For this reason it is important that you reflect honestly about your financial privilege and experience. If you select a level that is below what you are able to truthfully afford, this means there is less room and accessibility for someone who does need the gift of financial affordability. Please take this into consideration as you consider which tier you choose.
Here are some specific factors to weigh as you think about which tier to select based on the Green Bottle model adapted from work done by Alexis J. Cunningfolk and Laurie Gutierrez Ganberg (pictured above):
Full Bottle ($150-$180)
- I’m comfortably able to meet all my basic* needs.
- I may have some debt but can meet basic needs.
- I own my home or another property.
- I own a car.
- I’m employed or don’t need to work.
- I have regular access to healthcare.
- I have financial savings.
- I have investments.
- I have an expendable** income.
- I can always afford to buy new items.
- I can afford to travel for pleasure and take time off for rest/recreation.
Mostly Full ($120-$150)
- I’m able to meet all my basic* needs
- I may have debt, but can meet basic needs.
- I might have some financial stress about future needs.
- I own my home or rent a higher-end property.
- I own or lease a car.
- I am employed or self-employed.
- I have access to healthcare.
- I might have access to some financial savings.
- I have some expendable** income.
- I can take an annual vacation without financial burden.
Half Full ($90-$120)
- I have stress about meeting basic* needs, but still regularly meet them.
- I have some debt.
- I am employed part-time or underemployed.
- I own or lease a car but am not always able to afford associated costs.
- I have limited access to healthcare.
- I have limited financial savings.
- I have limited expendable** income.
- I have to actively save in order to take a vacation or time off.
- I have had to take off work for caregiving tasks.
Least Full ($60-$90)
- I stress about meeting basic* needs & don’t always meet them.
- I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting basic needs.
- I rent or have unstable housing.
- I own/lease a car but am not always able to afford gas or I have limited access to a car.
- I am not employed.
- I qualify for government assistance programs.
- I have no or limited expendable** income.
*Basic needs include food, housing, transportation.
**Expendable income might mean you can buy a coffee/tea at a shop, go to the movies, buy new clothes, books, and similar items regularly.
Additional factors to note –
Consider investing less if you…
- are supporting dependents of any age
- have significant medical expenses not covered by insurance
- have immigration related expenses
- are an unpaid community organizer
Consider investing more if you…
- have resources to savings, family money, and resources in times of need
- work part-time or are unemployed by choice
- have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education
- regularly travel, participate in cost-required recreational activities, or subscribe to arts and sports events