Sliding Scale Policy

Bee You Therapy Center, LLC (BYTC) recognizes that the need for mental health services exists despite very real financial barriers and circumstances. It is important to BYTC’s values to help support mental healthcare accessibility and access, especially as a provider who does not accept insurance. Therefore, BYTC offers a limited number of reduced-rate (sliding scale) therapy slots based on self-identified financial need. 

Eligibility and Process

These reduced-rate spots are open to clients who are experiencing financial hardship, lack adequate insurance coverage, or are in a transitional life phase (e.g., between jobs, newly single parents, students, etc.). Eligibility is determined collaboratively between the client and therapist, based on a discussion about current financial barriers to care and the guidelines below. 

BYTC does not require income verification such as tax returns, pay stubs as this practice is founded on respect, honesty, and trust. However, if it becomes apparent that your financial circumstances may not align with a self-identified tier as described below, an additional conversation may be initiated or service rates may be increased. 

The reduced rates are determined using the guidelines below and are subject to periodic review (every 3-6 months depending on circumstances). Clients are encouraged to inform me if their financial situation changes. Continued access to sliding scale services may be adjusted accordingly to allow me to equitably serve others with similar need. BYTC reserves the right to prioritize access for individuals who are members of marginalized communities or face systemic barriers to care.

Considerations

Please be mindful that if you self-identify at the lowest tier when you are more accurately in a higher tier, you are limiting access to those who truly need reduced rates and financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial privilege when engaging with the sliding scale shows respect for lesser privileged members of your community as well as me, the therapist.

It can also be helpful to consider the differences between sacrifice and hardship when considering your financial privilege and need. A sacrifice would be cutting back on other areas of spending without long-term harmful impact on your life (ie, not eating out as often, making coffee at home, re-wearing an outfit instead of buying a new one) in order to pay for a beneficial service like therapy. A hardship would be if paying for such a service would result in short-term or long-term harmful impacts to your life (ie, not being able to eat, pay rent, afford transportation to your job). This distinction helps to recognize that sacrifices are not a challenge or do not require change, while also recognizing the higher level of impact that financial hardship imposes.

Ethics

This policy is consistent with the ACA Code of Ethics (A.10.c.) “Establishing Fees- In establishing fees for professional counseling services, counselors consider the financial status of clients and locality. If a counselor’s usual fees create undue hardship for the client, the counselor may adjust fees, when legally permissible, or assist the client in locating comparable, affordable services.”

Limitations

Reduced-rate spots are limited and may be restricted to certain timeslots and types of therapy services. These slots are not guaranteed to be available at the time of request. If you are interested in exploring a reduced rate, please let me know during your consultation. I will try to accommodate your needs or provide appropriate referrals.


Reduced Rate Structure

Using the “Green Bottle” method, clients can identify their level of financial privilege and self-identify their ability to pay for services and need for reduced-rate therapy services. For more specific details about session costs, please inquire with me directly!

Illustration of BYTC's Green Bottle Scale with three bottles labeled Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3, indicating different levels of financial privilege based on personal financial experience and how each rate is reflected.

The Green Bottle Method that BYTC uses is based off of ones created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk and Laurie Gutierrez Ganberg. More information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Review the tiers below and identify which tier most often aligns with your circumstances.

Tier 1 (Full Rate)

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs*

  • I may have some debt but have no issues meeting basic needs

  • I experience little to no financial stress about future needs

  • I own my home and/or property OR I rent a higher-end property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed, self-employed or do not need to work to meet my needs 

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have the ability to access financial savings, family/friend financial support, and/or resources in times of need

  • I have investments

  • I have expendable** income

  • I can always or often buy new items

  • I can afford to travel for pleasure and/or take time off work without financial burden

  • I can often engage in recreation activities, or attend events like the arts or sports

Tier 2 (Reduced Rate)

  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs* but still regularly achieve them

  • I may have some debt but can still meet basic needs*

  • I experience some financial stress about future needs

  • I own my home or property OR rent a higher to mid- to higher-level property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed part-time or underemployed

  • I have limited access to healthcare.

  • I have some access to financial savings, family/friend financial support, and resources in times of need.

  • I have limited expendable** income.

  • I sometimes buy new items but more often buy secondhand/ thrifted

  • It takes considerable effort and saving or causes some financial burden in order to take a vacation or time off

  • I can sometimes afford to engage in recreation activities, or attend events like the arts or sports

Tier 3 (Reduced Rate)

  • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs* & don’t always achieve them.

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs*

  • I experience significant financial stress about future needs.

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care

  • I have no access to savings, family/friend financial support, or resources in times of need.

  • I have no or very limited expendable income*

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or lack the ability to take time off without significant financial burden

  • I cannot afford to engage in recreation activities, or attend events like the arts or sports

* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.

Additional Information/Resources on the Green Bottle Method

https://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale

https://www.fiddleheadtherapy.com/resources-therapy-supervision-seattle-washington/sliding-scale