Sliding Fee Scale Structure

Sliding Scale Fee Schedule—Green Bottle Method

I use the “Green Bottle” method of offering therapy on a sliding scale. This sliding scale structure is designed to accommodate people with different financial means and levels of privilege. Identify your level of financial means and pick a fee within that range that feels accessible to you. I do not ask for any financial information or justification; I trust that you will self-select the right range and fee for yourself.

Bottle Description

Full moon against a black sky, representing the Full Bottle (Contributor) tier

Full Bottle (Contributor)

$200-$250 For those with greater financial capacity. Paying at this level helps make lower cost sessions available to others.

  • 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.

Half moon against a black sky, representing the Mostly Full (Sustaining) tier
Thin crescent moon against a black sky, representing the Supported tier

Mostly Full (Sustaining)

$150-$200 For those whose basic needs are comfortably met and who can invest in this work without significant financial strain.

  • 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.

Least Full/Half Full (Supported)

$100-$150 For times when finances are genuinely tight and paying the standard rate would create hardship or require debt.

  • 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.

*Basic needs includes 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.

Consider investing less if you…

  • are supporting dependents

  • have medical expenses not covered by insurance

  • have immigration-related expenses

  • are an elder with limited financial support

  • are an unpaid community organizer

  • are a returning individual who has been denied work due to incarceration history

  • experience discrimination in hiring or pay level

  • are descended from enslaved people or Native American Indians

Consider investing more if you…

  • have investments, retirement accounts or inherited money

  • have access 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, engage in recreation activities, or subscribe to arts or sports events

If your circumstances change, your place on the scale can change with them.