Sliding Scale Therapy

Because of the nature of both psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis with regards to making meaning, both benefit from time and the opportunity to engage in ongoing treatment. For some, this can make initiating the process intimidating. It’s important to remember that it is the patient’s right to stop or pause treatment at any time. Given that these forms of therapy often take time on the scale of months or years, it is important that the fee for therapy is one that feels sustainable—that is, affordable in an ongoing way. The other important factor, I believe, about fee setting, is that the fee feels substantial relative to the patient’s economic means. While perhaps counter-intuitive, fees that are “too low” have a tendency to make therapy feel like a nice-to-have convenience rather than an important investment in one’s wellbeing.

It is important to me in my practice to offer a portion of my services at a rate that is reduced relative to my full fee for therapy. If a patient suffers economic hardship within the context of ongoing treatment, it is generally my practice to adjust the patient’s fee in order to maintain treatment. This is what I mean when I say “sliding scale.” Because these opportunities are only a portion of my practice, and because demand for them is high, oftentimes my sliding scale availability is occupied. However, I would encourage anyone interested in a sliding scale opportunity to reach out about services.