Sliding Scale

I strive to provide accessible care in a manner that’s sustainable for me and my clients. That is increasingly challenging within our capitalistic society and for-profit, insurance-driven healthcare system. I offer a sliding scale as part of an effort to offer alternatives outside of the current system and create more expansive access through redistribution. 

This anti-oppressive rate structure is based on the work of  N. Oumou Sylla, LMFT and other providers listed at the bottom of this page. 

Use the questionnaire below to determine which payment level best fits your circumstances. I will not be reviewing your work, and am relying on you to reflect on your own resources and challenges. The reduced-rate slots are limited and only made possible by people with more privilege self-selecting into higher tiers. If you are a person with means, keep in mind that your decision to invest more is an act of solidarity and a refusal to accept the benefits of racial capitalism. This is not an exhaustive list of every type of financial privilege. It is a guide, not a prescription. You know your financial reality better than any person or any scale. 

Record your answers to the following questions, then add up your yeses and nos to determine where you fall on the scale.

1. Are you and your family homeowners or landowners? (This question does not apply to those who are Native or Indigenous)

2. Did you experience early life abundance and are now only experiencing “temporary scarcity”?

3. Are you able-bodied?

4. Do you have a degree you did not pay with loans (private and federal)?

5. Are you able to make payments on bills or credit cards?

6. Are more than half your bills on auto-pay?

7. Do you experience housing security or stability?

8. Do you work part time by choice? Do you work for less pay by choice?

9. Do you experience ease when paying bills?

10. 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?

11. Do you have access to residual, gifted, supplemental, or passive income?

12. Have you been able to easily access and afford health insurance for yourself?

13. Do you have income generating assets (real estate, investments, stocks)?

14. Do you have zero to no debt? Are you able to financially manage your debt?

15. Do you have a safety net composed of financially stable or wealthy family and friends? Do you have access to a network of wealth?

16. Do you have U.S. Citizenship?

17. Do you have the ability to choose to work or not?

18. Does your income only support you, and not other loved ones?

19. Have you or do you expect to inherit money or property?

20. 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?

21. Do you have income that is not from disability or social security?

22. Do you have access to income that allows you to regularly vacation and spend money on other personal wants/desires?

When you have identified your Rate Type and per session fee, send me that information either through your secure client portal or via email (kim@kimeisenberg.com). 

This sliding scale was inspired by:

• AORTA

• Ride Free Fearless Money

• Worts and Cunning Apothecary (including helpful Green Bottle infographic)

• Therapy with Dax

• Human Connection Lab

Notice of Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers - including therapists - need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.