In the past, we’ve used a static (flat) rate for all clients - but we’ve found that no longer works for us or the folx we serve.
Toxic capitalism is real. While the cost of living has dramatically increased everywhere since Covid, this has been especially noticeable in Phoenix. Costs of housing, childcare, healthcare and even groceries have become a burden. Folx have been forced to choose between paying for groceries and paying for therapy. We did not create this problem, but we exist within it. Part of our job is to alleviate suffering to the extent we are able, while maintaining a sustainable practice that supports our staff and families.
As a practice oriented toward community building and social justice, we recognize the need to balance sustainability - paying our bills and our staff sufficiently to continue serving the community - with accessibility.
We now use a tiered system for 55 minute individual counseling sessions to ensure access to the frequency of services you need.
The real info you came for: session fees.
Tier A - Full session rate is $200 for 55 minutes. When clients are able to pay full fees for sessions, they enable us to:
Provide access to services for lower income, marginalized or struggling clients
Provide art supplies, snacks and space for therapy groups, community support groups and individual clients
Access technology needed to reach clients who are unable to attend in-office sessions
Afford full medical, dental, and vision coverage for our staff and our families
Support Paid Time Off (PTO) to enable self-care, family care, mental health days and unlimited sick days - ensuring our practice remains stable and sustainable
Attend continuing education, trainings, conferences and community outreach events to better serve our clients
Access our own therapy and wellness services
Clients in Tier A may:
Have steady income/employment
Have the ability to save for special occasions, needs, or retirement
Experience stability in housing and meeting day to day needs
Have access to healthcare and/or out of network benefits
Afford access to travel, hobbies, concerts, sporting events
Tier B - Available on a limited basis. Session rate is negotiable between $100-200. Clients in Tier B may:
Struggle to afford day to day necessities including housing/utilities, clothing, transportation, childcare, healthcare, medication or food
Be teachers, healthcare workers, caregivers for family (children, elders, disabled family members)
Have recently lost employment/are seeking to exit employment
Depend on assistance from family/friends to afford therapy
Experience systemic oppression as part of a historically marginalized group
Tier C - Time-limited and on a case by case basis - we are happy to discuss with you how we can support when the need is urgent and other options/resources are not available
Note to existing clients who began services prior to tiered pricing: I ask in good faith that you remain at your current agreed-upon fee, which does not exceed the Tier A regular session rate of $200. If your financial circumstances change to the extent that therapy becomes unattainable, I am more than happy to work with you to adjust your rate on a temporary basis. I would always rather you remain in services than discontinue for financial reasons.
Note: The recommended frequency of sessions at the beginning of therapy is weekly; however, this can also be adjusted as needed and depending on client finances/level of need.