I built this practice to be accessible
Here's how that works
When I think about who needs this work most, I think about survivors of sexual abuse, of narcissistic relationships, of childhoods where safe touch was never modeled. And I know that the people who need it most are often the ones least able to afford it.
That tension doesn't go away. I sit with it a lot.
In May of 2024 I made a change I'd been considering for a long time and moved to a self-determining rate model. This work is deeply intensive for both of us. I want to show up as my best self for every client, at every tier. The sliding scale makes that possible in both directions. It's how I stay sustainable enough to keep serving people who need access.
The following is a list of questions taken from N. Oumou Sylla, LMFT.
I ask clients to read through with pen and paper and tally their answers to determine their payment tier. Your work will not be checked, this is a self-selection process. This is meant to be a guide, not a prescription. You know your financial reality better than any person or any scale. This can be an opportunity to examine your resources.
Are you and your family homeowners or landowners? (This question does not apply to those who are Native or Indigenous)
Did you experience early life abundance and are now only experiencing “temporary scarcity”?
Are you able-bodied?
Do you have a degree that you did not pay with loans (private and federal)?
Are you able to make payments on bills or credit cards?
Do you experience housing security or stability?
Do you work part-time by choice?
Do you work for less pay by choice?
Do you experience ease when paying bills?
Do you have a relatively high degree of earning power due to your level of or kind of education? (Or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc…even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, I ask you to recognize this as a choice.)
Do you have access to residual, gifted, supplemental, or passive income?
Have you been able to easily access and afford health insurance for yourself?
Do you have income-generating assets (real estate, investments, stocks)?
Do you have zero to no debt?
Are you able to financially manage your debt?
Do you have a safety net composed of “financially stable” or wealthy family and friends?
Do you have access to a network of wealth?
Do you have U.S. Citizenship?
Do you have the ability to choose to work or not?
Does your income only support you and not other loved ones?
Have you or do you expect to inherit money or property?
Have you (or could you have attended college and/or graduate school)?
Have you attended private education institutions, or do you have an advanced degree?
Do you have income that is not from disability or social security?
Do you have access to income that allows you to (regularly) vacation and spend money on other personal wants/desires?
Standard Rate - Virtual $150/hr, In-Person $250/hr
All/Mostly Yes’s ➤➤➤ Virtual: $150-$200, In-Person: $250-$300
Equal Yes’s and No’s ➤➤➤ Virtual: $100-$150, In-Person: $175-$250
Mostly No’s ➤➤➤ Virtual: $75-$100, In-Person: $130-$175
You will be asked to choose a rate that works with your responses and with your budget. I set my range in a way that assures I can show up fully for you, no matter the rate you choose. Please take care of yourself by honoring yourself while honoring this work.
Please note that this sliding scale was inspired by:
Kenya Crawford, Mia Schachter, Brandon Hunter-Haydon and more.
Professionals, if you desire to use this list of questions, my ask is that you send a thank you to @oumou-sylla via Venmo.