Sliding Scale
Sliding Scale Policy
To support economic justice principles, Shannon Rolph OT has a sliding scale with multiple price points. The sliding scale is based on the idea that financial resources, including income, are not the only factors in determining people’s access to services.
Below you will find 3 different price points inspired by the “Green Bottle Sliding Scale Model” by Alexis J. Cunningfolk. Fees for 1:1 sessions are listed under each category. Please read through each price point’s description and reflect on which price point most accurately reflects your current financial privilege and personal financial experience. Please note that there are limited sliding scale spaces available.
Price Point #1 - $150 per 50-minute Occupational Therapy/Psychotherapy session
This price point represents the true cost of our services. If you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, can pay for “wants” and don’t spend much time worried about securing necessities, you traditionally would not qualify for reduced rates, and so this price point is probably for you.
Reflect on the following statements and how closely they reflect your personal financial experience:
- I can meet all my basic needs and, if applicable, my family’s basic needs (includes food, housing, transportation)
- I may have some personal debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of my needs
- I own my home/property; or I rent a higher-end property; or I live in a family-owned home with multiple generations (e.g., parents, grandparents, in-laws, siblings), and I am responsible for 0%-25% of shared housing costs
- I and/or my family have assets (e.g., retirement accounts, investments, property, etc.)
- I have financial savings and access to resources/financial support in times of need.
- I am employed and my career is stable OR I don’t need to work to meet my needs/my family’s needs
- I have expendable income (e.g., if I desire, each month I can dine out, go to a movie/ concert, buy new clothes, books, etc.)
- I own or lease a car
- I have regular access to healthcare
- I have benefits coverage for occupational therapy and/or psychotherapy
- I can always buy new items
- I can travel recreationally and/or take time off for illness without financial burden
Price Point #2 - $135 per 50-minute Occupational Therapy/Psychotherapy session
If you have access to steady income and don't spend most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs, but you are struggling to pay down personal debt or to build savings, this middle price point is probably for you.
Reflect on the following statements and how closely they reflect your personal financial experience:
- I might stress about meeting my basic needs and, if applicable, my family’s basic needs (includes food, housing, transportation), but I regularly achieve them
- I have some personal debt, but it does not limit attainment of basic needs
- I have safe and stable housing (I own or rent my home) and/or I live in a family-owned home with multiple generations, and I am responsible for 50%-100% of shared housing costs
- I am employed, and I might work part-time hours
- I have limited financial savings
- I have limited expendable income (e.g., I need to actively budget to eat out, get coffee/tea, go to movies/concerts, buy new items)
- I financially support others (e.g., parents, siblings, relatives, friends) besides myself
- I buy some new items occasionally and I usually thrift
- I must actively save to take a vacation/time off
- I am sick or living with a disability but can work most of the time
Price Point #3 - $100 per 50-minute Occupational Therapy/Psychotherapy session (Limited Spaces)
This price point is probably for you if you struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, transportation, and are living pay cheque to pay cheque or are in significant debt.
Reflect on the following statements and how closely they reflect your personal financial experience:
- I frequently stress about meeting basic needs (includes food, housing, transportation), and I don’t always achieve them
- I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting basic needs
- I live in a rented property; or I have unstable housing; or I live with multiple generations (parents, in-laws, siblings, grandparents) in a rented property
- My family has few/no assets; or I have no family/access to family
- I don’t have a car or struggle to afford fuel and/or insurance for a car
- I am unemployed or underemployed
- I have no financial savings
- I have no or very limited expendable income
- I rarely buy new items because I can’t afford them
- I cannot afford a holiday or time off without financial burden
- I am sick and/or living with a disability that prevents me from earning a regular income
- I have several health care costs that I pay for out-of-pocket
The sliding scale is a tool for accountability and building community support, and so we trust that you will be honest in your reflections about your economic reality. Please be mindful that if you choose a reduced price point and you truly can afford a higher price point, you are limiting access to folks who truly need financial flexibility. Our relationship with our finances and with money can go through changes, and we are committed to having ongoing conversations with you about service fees and the sliding scale.
Please also note that the price point you choose will not impact the quality of care that we provide to you. We are committed to providing high quality care to everyone we serve, regardless of the amount you pay.
If you have any questions or concerns or you would like to discuss the sliding scale in more detail, please do not hesitate to reach out.