Green Bottle Model

 

I have always wrestled with what rate to ask for in exchange for the service I provide. In the therapeutic space, it is common practice to ask for $150+ per 50 min. session. My base rate is lower than most as a way to offset the inability to accept insurance. Since all of my clients are cash paying clients, I absorb the fees associated with collecting payments and reduced the base rate to one that felt supportive to me as a working mother and wife. After years of serving and seeking service from others, I decided that the way that felt most aligned with my values around equity and compassion were to have a rate that was scaled to meet people where they were at. Enter the Green Bottle Model.

The Green Bottle Model is an economic justice tool and helpful graphic created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk to guide decision making surrounding sliding scale options. This empowers you as the client to feel more comfortable and confident about the rate you are investing for the services given by me. I never want anyone to feel financially stressed and my hope is that this scale alleviates or mitigates that stress and allows you to feel more present and confident in our sessions together.

Use the graphic and the points below to gauge where you might sit on the scale.

  • The Flourish Rate represented by the first jar is the true cost of the service.

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have access to financial savings

  • I have an expendable** income

  • I can always buy new items

  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

    $125/55 min. session

  • The Fulfillment Rate is represented by the second less full jar.

  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed

  • I have access to health care

  • I might have access to financial savings

  • I have some expendable income

  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

    $100/55 min. session.

  • The Foundation Rate represented by the third nearly empty jar.

  • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care

  • I have no access to savings

  • I have no or very limited expendable income

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden
    $75/55 min. session.

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When applying this framework to my offerings please consider what is suitable for you and also honors the energy and work that I bring to this space. The top end of the scale ensures that I am being paid for the work that I do, while also sustaining those who may only be able to access the services at the lower end of the scale. In this way, those with more economic privilege are directly supporting other folks within their community to have better access essential care.