I wanted to re-open my blog to tell you of my updated fee structure. But it’s also the universe saying it probably is time to get back to this blog, to make space for writing and processing the world. Or at least processing my world, and hopefully helping more people process theirs.
Charging fees for mental health work is the bane of most therapists’ existence. There are books, endless podcasts, blogs, training programs and discussions about it. It’s not really something that is ever discussed in your graduate education and training, so a lot of us start out by just copying others. Without thinking about what it means, how you feel about it (as a therapist or a client), and ways to use it for good. I have spent a fair amount of time in those aforementioned podcasts and discussions about fees, money, worth, shame… and feel really good about my new few structure. I have always had sliding scale slots, as many therapists do, as our default way of “giving back” and remembering the roots of social justice in social work. But, as my relationship to money has changed and as I have worked on my own “money stuff”- I am at a place in my life where I want to be clear and intentional about the ways I spend money and the ways I earn money. The word I have long held as my ultimate money life goal is “ease”. And while I’m not completely there yet, I think having a clear and intentional fee structure for my business is a good step in that direction.
It can be hard to value your own worth, and state that clearly to others. It gets especially complicated around something as nebulous as mental health & wellness. Additionally, when you care about the world and humans (as I happen to do), it is hard to set prices in a way that also encompass your values. I have tried to make a sliding scale I truly feel good about- that values my worth, values the worth of YOUR mental wellbeing and care, and makes mental health more accessible and equitable for everyone. I think I have found it, and as tomorrow is September 1st, it will go into effect immediately.
Telehealth Individual Psychotherapy Session Fees (45 min):
$60- I keep 5 low sliding scale spots available for the Open Path Collective and emergency/special circumstances. If these spots are full, please reach out to be added to my sliding scale waiting list.
$75-175- Students, Artists, Helping Professionals (social workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, etc.), Trans & Non-binary, Queer, BIPOC or AAPI identified folx
$225- Standard Fee
$250-300- Pay It Forward (if you have the privilege to pay a higher fee, let’s talk… it will help make lower fees available to those who need it. You can adjust as needed, and if you have out of network reimbursement, you’ll get money back!)