Mental health should be affordable & accessible.
Cost should never be the barrier to accessing quality mental health services. And I’m not just saying that.
Paying for therapy shouldn’t stress you out.
Therapy isn’t supposed to be stressful. And mental health care isn’t supposed to be a luxury. But money is complicated, systems are unfair, and not all folks encounter the same number of barriers to accessing services.
In an effort to recognize the unequal burden and to maximize accesibility, I use the Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts & Cunning Apothecary . This model provides a clear, compassionate framework for working with clients with varying financial need and levels of privilege.
With this model— you choose your rate. You will self select from three “bottles” or categories and choose that which most accurately reflects your current circumstances. A full bottle has more to pour from than an empty bottle, and the cost of therapy should reflect that.
I landed on this model for a number of reasons, but the biggest one is that it establishes a relationship of mutual respect, trust and openness right off the bat. Uncomfortable talking about money? This is a great opportunity to practice!
Read these descriptions & review the image to choose which tier is right for you. Unsure? We can talk about it.
Choose Your Tier
You’re able to meet your needs comfortably and still have room for wants, savings, or future planning. Paying the full fee doesn’t create strain or force trade‑offs around essentials. Choosing this bottle helps support a more equitable system — your stability helps make therapy accessible for people carrying heavier financial realities.
Left Bottle (100%) “I have financial ease”
You can cover your basic needs, but you feel the weight of expenses, debt, or limited savings. You might have to plan or adjust a bit to make therapy fit, but it’s doable. This bottle is for people who are managing, but not with a lot of extra cushion. It honors your reality while still supporting the sustainability of the practice.
Middle Bottle (50-75%) “I can make it work”
Meeting basic needs takes effort, and unexpected expenses hit hard. You may be navigating systemic barriers, caregiving responsibilities, medical costs, or income instability. This bottle is for people who could not afford therapy without sacrificing basic needs. Attending therapy would be a hardship or strain.
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Right Bottle (10-40%) “I have to decide between therapy & electricity.”
FAQs
Why not use a typical finance based sliding scale?
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The Green Bottle Method takes into account broader inequities and systemic forces at play. The very nature of trusting one another and not asking a client for proof of income or to prove need is itself a form of resistance to current systems. Furthermore, it reinforces core relational values that will shape our time together (trust, mutual respect, openness, you as expert of your own life, etc.)
How do I know which bottle/tier to choose?
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Each bottle describes a general level of financial ease or strain — things like income, savings, debt, dependents, and how comfortably you meet your basic needs. You’ll read through the descriptions and choose the one that feels most true for you.
Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities.
Maybe no bottle feels like a perfect fit. That’s OK! And if you need a change after you’ve committed to one price point, that’s OK, too. Because these are the types of things we can talk about together.
Why should I pay more when others get the same service for less?
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Paying the full fee isn’t about getting something “extra.” It’s about resourcing a system that makes therapy accessible to people with different levels of financial privilege.
My full fee is not inflated to account for anyone paying at a lower level. It is a fair rate to reflect my value as a therapist with over a decade of clinical experience and would be my going rate if I did not have a sliding fee scale.
When you pay the full rate, you’re helping keep the work sustainable — for me, for you, and for the folks who wouldn’t be able to access therapy otherwise.
It’s a way of practicing equity and supporting accessible mental health services for everyone. And if that feels unfair or in conflict with your values, we are probably not a great fit.
How do I apply?
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There is no application. We will discuss finances during your consult and you will select a tier prior to your first session. You do not need to prove need or eligibility.
Financial Partnership
Fireweed Counseling is proud to partner with Bigger Than The Trail to make services accessible to Coloradans!
BTTT is a volunteer run nonprofit dedicated to shining a light on mental health and reducing the barriers that keep people from accessing services — like stigma, awareness and affordability.
Have a little extra to share? Donate to BTTT and help others near & far get the mental health services they need.