Sliding scale and reduced fee therapy offerings.
Therapy should be accessible to all.
Therapy is an investment in yourself, but that investment won’t look the same for everyone.
At Somageist Psychotherapy, I offer a limited number of reduced-fee therapy spaces for clients who would have difficulty paying my full fee. I especially recognize that income can be unpredictable for freelancers, artists, creative professionals, self-employed people, and anyone whose financial circumstances change throughout the year.
Everyone deserves access to therapy that they can realistically afford. I understand that may mean working with me, or it may mean finding another therapist whose fees are a better fit for your circumstances. Because my reduced-fee spaces are limited, I ask for a small amount of financial information when you apply so I can offer those spaces as thoughtfully and fairly as possible.
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$225 individual | $250 couples
For clients who have enough financial flexibility to comfortably pay the full fee.
Choosing this rate helps support the availability of lower-cost therapy for others.
General guideline: approximately $125,000+
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$185 individual | $210 couples
For clients who have some financial flexibility but would find the full fee difficult to sustain.
General guideline: approximately $90,000–$125,000
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$150 individual | $175 couples
For clients for whom the full fee would create significant financial strain, but who are able to contribute more toward the cost of therapy.
General guideline: approximately $65,000–$90,000
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$115 individual | $140 couples
For clients with less financial flexibility who would have difficulty accessing ongoing therapy at the other rates.
General guideline: approximately under $65,000
How the sliding scale works.
When choosing your rate, I invite you to reflect on what you can comfortably and consistently afford right now, not just the highest amount you could technically stretch to.
If the full rate would mean regularly stressing about money, putting off things you need, or wondering each month whether you can continue therapy, a reduced fee may be a better fit. You don't need to stretch yourself financially to show that you're committed to doing the work.
If the full fee feels comfortable for you, choosing that rate allows you to invest in your own care while also helping sustain the community supported, reduced-fee spaces I’m able to offer.
There’s no judgment attached to any of the rates. I encourage you to choose an amount that feels realistic for your life right now—one you can return to week after week without resentment, anxiety, or financial strain.
The fee you pay isn't a measure of how of how deserving you are. I firmly believe that everyone should be able to access therapeutic support. Some people have more financial room to contribute, while others need more flexibility. Neither comes with shame or guilt. This sliding scale is how I intentionally make room for different circumstances.
Your income doesn't tell me everything about your financial situation.
You might have a higher income but also have significant debt, high housing costs, family responsibilities, or unpredictable freelance income. You might earn less but have financial support or other circumstances that affect what you can comfortably contribute.
I don't use these ranges as strict eligibility requirements.
If your income fluctuates, think about what your financial situation looks like right now, not what you expect to earn over a perfect year.
These income ranges are guidelines, not requirements.
Choosing your fee.
FAQs
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The application is intentionally simple. The first step is to schedule a free consultation so we can meet, talk about what you're looking for, and make sure we’re a good fit. If we decide that working together feels right, I’ll share the reduced-fee application with you afterward.
I don’t need your entire financial history, and you don’t need to convince me that you need therapy badly enough.
The application will ask:
What type of therapy you’re looking for
Which fee feels financially sustainable for you right now
Your approximate income, if you’re comfortable sharing it
Whether there’s anything about your financial circumstances you’d like me to consider
What you’re hoping to work on in therapy
Reduced-fee spaces are limited, so submitting an application doesn’t guarantee that your preferred fee will be available. If the tier you request isn’t currently available, I’ll let you know what options I have.
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If your insurance plan has out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be able to get some money back from your insurance company after paying for therapy.
For example, your plan may reimburse a percentage of the “allowed amount” after you've met your out-of-network deductible. The amount and process vary by insurance plan.
Mentaya can help you understand what your plan offers before you begin.
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You pay for your therapy session, and if your insurance plan provides out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for part of the cost.
Mentaya helps with the administrative side of this process, including benefits verification and claim submission, so you have additional support navigating reimbursement.
Your exact reimbursement depends on your individual insurance plan, deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-network benefits.
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I want therapy to feel personal, flexible, and centered on you. I choose not to work directly with insurance because insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis, specific documentation, and limits on the type or length of treatment you receive. Private pay allows us to make decisions about your care together, without those requirements shaping the work. If you have out-of-network benefits, you may also be able to receive reimbursement from your insurance company.
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No. I don't ask for tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, or other financial documentation.
The income ranges are there to help you get a sense of which tier might fit, not to determine whether you're “struggling enough” to qualify.
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Yes. Your financial circumstances may change over time, and your fee doesn't have to stay the same forever. If your income or financial situation changes significantly, we can revisit your rate together. The purpose of the sliding scale is to make therapy sustainable, not to lock you into a particular category.
Not sure where to start? Let’s chat and go from there.
The first step is always a free 15-minute consultation. You don't need to complete the reduced-fee application before scheduling.
If we're a good fit and you'd like to move forward, I'll send you the application afterward. This keeps the process simple and gives us a chance to meet before asking you for any financial information.
Email me to get started or request a free 15‑minute consultation if you’d like to talk first.
I read and answer every message myself.