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 Brave Space Healing
Sliding Scale
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A sliding scale is a flexible fee structure that adjusts the cost of therapy based on a client’s financial circumstances.

It’s often used when I am not in-network with someone’s insurance or if a client chooses not to use their insurance (for privacy, flexibility, or personal reasons).
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Instead of one fixed rate, I offer several fee tiers. Clients select the tier that feels most accurate to their financial situation.

This system helps make therapy more accessible while still allowing me to sustain my practice.
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No matter which tier you select, you’ll receive the same level of care. The difference is simply how the fee is structured.
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This system is designed to balance equity, sustainability, and access to care.
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Part of why I use a sliding scale is to balance accessibility with sustainability. Therapy isn’t just the time we spend together — there are also costs like rent, insurance, taxes, continuing education, technology, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps my practice running.
 
My rates reflect both the value of the care I provide and the real expenses of maintaining a private practice.
 
By choosing the tier that fits your situation, you’re helping me continue offering therapy that’s accessible to more people while also allowing me to make a livable income.
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This is an honor-based system. No financial documentation is required.

However, I conduct seasonal (quarterly) check-ins to ensure that the chosen tier remains appropriate, given that financial circumstances may shift over time.
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​Sliding Scale Rates
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💚 Tier 1 — $175 
Approx. household income: $100,000+
 
✨ This is you if…
  • You own your home or rent without financial strain.
  • You have retirement accounts, investments, or savings.
  • You can take vacations, attend events, or buy new electronics without stress.
  • You can afford to eat out, shop, or pay for hobbies regularly.
  • You can take unpaid time off work without risking stability.
     
🚫 Not for you if…
  • You live paycheck-to-paycheck or feel constant pressure to cover bills.
  • An unexpected $500 expense (car repair, ER bill) would destabilize your finances.
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💚 Tier 2 — $150
Approx. household income: $75,000–$100,000
 
✨ This is you if…
  • You rent or have a mortgage that requires budgeting but is manageable.
  • You can afford occasional extras (concerts, travel, dining out), but you plan carefully.
  • You have some savings, though it may not feel like “enough.”
  • You have student loans, medical bills, or childcare costs that limit flexibility.
  • You can handle an unexpected $500 bill, but it causes stress.
     
🚫 Not for you if…
  • You have significant assets (property, trust funds, large savings).
  • You can afford frequent travel, luxury purchases, or discretionary spending without stress.
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💚 Tier 3 — $125 
Approx. household income: $50,000–$75,000
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✨ This is you if…
  • You are able to cover essentials but have little to no savings.
  • You live paycheck-to-paycheck, and debt (student loans, credit cards, medical bills) weighs on you.
  • You may have health insurance, but copays and deductibles feel heavy.
  • You can afford small non-essentials (a meal out, new clothes) occasionally.
  • An unexpected $500 bill would require credit cards or payment plans.
     
🚫 Not for you if…
  • You are steadily saving for retirement or have a strong emergency cushion.
  • You regularly spend on travel, dining, or leisure activities while meeting all basic needs.
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💚 Tier 4 — $100
Approx. household income: $30,000–$50,000
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✨ This is you if…
  • You often worry about making rent, utilities, or loan payments.
  • You work hourly, seasonal, or freelance jobs with inconsistent income.
  • You sometimes delay bills or put off medical/dental care due to cost.
  • You rely on credit cards to cover shortfalls.
  • Vacations, concerts, or hobbies are not realistic right now.
  • An unexpected $250 expense would be destabilizing.
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🚫 Not for you if…
  • You have reliable employment, savings, or financial support that covers emergencies.
  • You can consistently afford discretionary spending without financial anxiety.
     
💚 Tier 5 — $75 
Approx. household income: under $30,000
 
✨ This is you if…
  • You are unemployed, underemployed, a student, or on disability/assistance.
  • You regularly worry about meeting basic needs like rent, groceries, or medication.
  • You have little to no savings and are often in survival mode financially.
  • Emergencies (car breakdown, medical bill) create immediate crisis.
  • Therapy would be completely out of reach without this tier.
     
🚫 Not for you if…
  • You have stable income and discretionary spending power but simply want to save money.
  • You can afford regular luxuries (travel, new electronics, shopping) while covering essentials.

     
Gentle but Firm Notes
 
  • These examples are guidelines, not absolutes. Debt, caregiving, and systemic barriers matter too.
     
  • You choose your tier based on your lived reality. No proof required.
     
  • If it seems your spending and chosen tier don’t match, I’ll bring it up — not to shame, but to keep the scale fair for everyone.
     
  • Same care at every tier. What changes is cost, not quality.
     
  • I understand that life circumstances don’t always fit neatly into categories. If your situation doesn’t quite match the examples listed, or if you’re facing a temporary hardship, please reach out. In some cases, I’m able to make individual arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
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