Sliding Scale
This illustration of four bottles represents how a sliding scale works. The bottles are filled with different levels of green liquid, representing financial privilege. Each bottle represents a different personal financial experience. This graphic and description of sliding scale fee structures is adapted from The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice by Alexis J. Cunningfolk and Embracing Equity.
Fiddlehead Therapy’s Sliding Scale Fee Structure
Starting in January 2025, I will be adopting the “Green Bottle” method of offering therapy on a sliding scale. This sliding scale structure is designed to accommodate clients with different financial means and levels of privilege. My hope is that clients will be able to identify their level of financial means and pick a fee within that range that feels accessible to them. I do not ask for any financial information or justification; I trust that clients will self-select the right range and fee for them.
Bottle Descriptions
I know that the text in the graphic can be hard to read so here’s what it says for each bottle along with the range of fees for each bottle:
Full Bottle ($200-$250)
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 ($150-$200)
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 ($100-$150)
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 ($50-$100)
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 Apple Health.
I have no or limited expendable** income.
*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.
I also appreciate Embracing Equity’s encouragement “for individuals to move away from a binary model, embrace the messiness of moving toward economic justice”
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
I hope that this provides some structure, guidelines, and a way to ensure access. I know that money and finances can be difficult to talk about, and I am always happy to answer questions, discuss more, and support you in any other way needed! There may be times when I do not have any availability at the range you identify — if this is the case, I will do my best to offer other low-cost therapy resources and referrals.