The Why of the Fee Agreement
People frequently wonder why, and have concern regarding, the cost of paying for therapy out of pocket, and how that rate can possibly be reasonable.
The specifics of my fees themselves, and my caseload itself, are calculated by carefully considering the intentional self knowledge around my self and my capacity that I have discovered over the years in areas such as:
What professional contexts allow me to show up the most fully as a therapist, with the most skillfulness and attentiveness possible, to each and every client I am privileged enough to work with.
I have extensive training and competencies in areas which are often extremely challenging to find. Some of these include:
- Queer Informed Narrative Therapy
- Non-binary and transgender care
- Youth who are gender non conforming, gender expansive, gender exploring, queer, exploring sexuality
- Trauma experienced in other areas of mental health and/or from other mental health practitioners, agencies, and organizations.
- Kink/BDSM, including 24/7 and other dynamics
- Ethical non-monogamy/polyamory
- Working with other therapists, mental health workers, and various other healers within communities
- Pre-verbal trauma work, incorporating various somatic and body processes along the healing journey
In comparison to the "average market rate" for private practice therapists, I maintain my out of pocket fee as lower than the average. This is an important consideration I take specifically into account as a priority when setting or adjusting my fees.
Fee Agreement
Fees are due in full at the time of each session. I accept cash or check at time of service, except during our first session, when we will put a card on file through a system called Ivy Pay - this will be the way you pay for your first session. Ivy Pay is designed specifically for therapists and is HIPPA compliant, meaning it protects your private health information. This only needs to be completed once, and then I am able to charge your card on file at the time of service. I will retain this card on file in case of no-shows and cancellations with less than 48 hours notice.
Because your scheduled appointment is time specifically set aside and maintained for you, cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will be charged my full standard fee.
Please note: If you are being seen using insurance, insurance will not pay for missed sessions. Additionally, insurance will not pay for sessions which begin more than FOUR (4) minutes after the scheduled start time. In either of these cases, if there is not 48 hours of notice for a cancellation or if you “no show” to your appointment, you will be responsible for my standard out of pocket rate at the time
My fees per hour as of June 1, 2021 are thus:
One 50-minute session for an individual: $160
One 50-minute session for more than one individual: $200
One scheduled 80-minute session: $185
I maintain approximately 35% of my caseload at a given time on a sliding scale, which starts at $100.
By signing this notice, you are acknowledging that you are aware of my current rates for out-of-pocket payment, and to the terms from which fees can be expected to be collected - you are not agreeing to a specific payment by signing this document. If you have spoken to me about pursuing sliding scale, this will be noted in your file, and will be considered your full fee.