Sliding Scale Therapist

Sliding Scale Therapy

It’s true that therapy is an investment in yourself and your future. But knowing this fact doesn’t magically mean you can fit therapy costs into your budget. These two realizations are likely what led you to search online for “sliding scale therapist near me.” When thinking to yourself “can i afford therapy”. The real thing to consider is what will my life be like in 6 months.. A year.. Or two years.. If I stay stuck in the same patterns without getting help? .. then the question becomes “can I afford not to go to therapy?”.

We’re striving to make this an easy choice by offering a number of therapy options (including sliding scale therapy) that will work with your budget and we’re not compromising on training or speciality. All of our therapists, including interns are trained in somatic therapy and specialize in working with clients to help them get free from the limitations of anxiety and trauma!

Sifting through the results can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. Not only is it hard to find available mental health counselors lately—it’s also challenging to find someone within your budget who’s also a good fit for your needs and has the right training and skills.

Here at Holistic Mental Health Counseling, our mission is to remove this barrier to getting the right care – so you can focus on truly reclaiming your wellness.

That’s why we’re proud to offer sliding scale therapy! And yes, our therapists are currently accepting new patients. Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about sliding scale therapists and information about how to get started.

What is a Sliding Scale Therapist?

A sliding scale therapist is a therapist who offers a certain number of lower cost sessions to make them affordable to people with lower income. This usually isn’t factored solely from your income—details like your monthly expenses and number of dependents are considered, too.

A sliding scale therapist typically decides the absolute lowest and highest price for each end of the scale, and those numbers often differ between therapists.

Said another way, there are no “set” prices or thresholds in the US for sliding scale fees when it comes to therapy.

When you search online for “sliding scale therapist near me” and start comparing options, you’ll notice the prices can vary a lot between different clinics. But the overall concept is the same: your price per session is based on what you can afford without sacrificing other necessities in life.

How Does the Sliding Scale Payment System Work for Therapy?

For therapy, the sliding scale payment system typically works like this:

• You search online for “sliding scale therapist near me” and choose a few to contact. Make sure they specialize in your area of need, don’t settle.
• They tell you the highest and lowest amount you’d potentially pay per session, and what type of documentation they’ll need to see. They might also offer to see you every other week instead of weekly to help you afford it.
• If that therapist’s numbers are in your budget, gather the requested documents. Let them know if there’s anything you can’t find—they may suggest alternative documents.
• Agree to the counselor’s pricing if it works for you and schedule your first session.
• Payment is typically due at the start or end of each session. Let your counselor know ASAP if your financial situation changes at any point and you need your fee adjusted.

The basic idea is, the less expendable income you have per month, the less you pay per session. And considering that 40% of Americans skipped important medical care in 2022 due to financial issues, we feel it’s more important than ever to offer sliding scale therapy.

Ready for therapy, but worried about the price? Contact us today to learn more about our sliding scale options, including what your price per session would be.

About Our Qualified Sliding Scale Therapists

Our sliding scale therapists are Master’s level counseling interns. These mental health professionals have already spent years in classes at university, and are close to receiving their Master’s degrees in counseling—the same degree our licensed therapists have.

But our sliding scale therapists aren’t chosen solely for their academic achievements.

Their dedication to somatic therapy and holistic healing can’t be overstated. They have been trained in cutting edge somatic therapy treatments like AEDP & IFS. Just like our licensed somatic therapists, these members of our team are focused on bringing you the best results through modern modalities and treatments that involve your brain and body in your healing process. This is a step beyond traditional talk therapy, and you will see the difference for yourself. Our clients that have engaged in somatic therapy vs traditional talk therapy, report significant reduction in anxious symptoms in as little a 2 somatic sessions!

Basically, seeing one of our sliding scale therapists means you can expect our high standard of care, commitment, and confidentiality… at a price that’s truly affordable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sliding Scale Therapy

What documentation do I need to provide to qualify for a sliding scale fee?

• A pay stub or paperwork on your unemployment benefits
• Your most recent tax return
• Other paperwork listing your dependents
• Bills/invoices for your ongoing expenses

We also understand that, especially when your mental health is in rough shape, it can be hard to gather these documents. In fact, one recent survey found that 61% of adults in the US don’t keep track of their finances.

So, if you know that you can’t afford to pay for therapy out of pocket… but you don’t have last year’s tax return handy… please contact us! We’ll do our best to work with you on determining your sliding scale fee with whatever documentation you do have.

Can I see a sliding scale therapist for long-term therapy?

Yes, you can absolutely see one of our sliding scale therapists for long-term therapy! You see, when you choose Holistic Mental Health Counseling for your therapy needs, our highest commitment is giving you a path to wellness.

And we’ll provide everything we can to pave the way—including long-term therapy, regardless of whether you pay via a sliding scale.

Depending on when you start seeing us, you may need to transition from one therapist to another at some point. If you do, you won’t be starting from scratch! With your permission all your notes from your previous sessions can be made available to your new therapist. And in some cases, you may be able to stay with your same therapist.

As experienced mental health professionals, we’re very familiar with the proven effectiveness of long-term therapy over short-term therapy. No matter your schedule, income, or mental health goals, every member of our team is 100% dedicated to supporting you and making therapy accessible.

What should I do if I can’t afford even the lowest sliding scale fee?

If you can’t afford even the lowest sliding scale fee, please let us know as soon as possible. We still want to help connect you with a therapist because you deserve better mental health!

And as experienced mental health professionals, we have connections and knowledge of resources you might not be familiar with. Whether it’s a program offered by the New York State Office of Mental Health or a private practice clinic we’re networked with, we’ll do everything in our power to remove obstacles on your road to counseling.

So, if you’re looking for a sliding scale therapist near me or want to learn more about whether you qualify for sliding scale therapy, contact us today or call (917) 781-0041. We’re now accepting new patients and we have a limited number of sliding scale spaces available.

Always remember that wellness is your birthright—regardless of your income. And we’re here to help you claim what’s always been rightfully yours.