If you’ve decided that therapy is right for you or a loved one, cost might be one of your biggest concerns. Therapy in New York City can run from $100 to $250 per session—and for many, that simply isn’t feasible. The good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone. Many therapists and counseling centers in NYC offer sliding scale fees to help reduce the cost of care.

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To help you understand how sliding scale therapy works and how to find a sliding scale therapist in NYC, we spoke with Licensed Professional Counselor and practice consultant Laura Brassie. After working as a therapist in private practice, Laura now helps therapists grow their practices and connect with clients in need.

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“I’ve worked with a wide variety of therapy practices who all view sliding scales in different ways,” says Laura. No matter how they are implemented, Laura agrees that sliding scales are an important way for therapists to expand care access to lower-income clients.

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Brassie pulled from her own experience as well as what she’s learned from the therapists she works with to help us learn more about what sliding scale fees are, how care-seekers can find out if they qualify for them, and how to access a therapist who offers a sliding scale.

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What are sliding scale fees?

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A sliding scale fee is a reduced rate that some mental health providers offer based on your financial need. You may see this option listed on therapist websites as a “sliding scale,” “reduced rate,” or “income-based pricing.”

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In NYC, where therapy costs can be especially high, sliding scale counseling can be a crucial way to access support.

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Brassie notes that therapists who don’t accept insurance are often more likely to offer sliding scale fees. Even those who do accept insurance may reserve part of their caseload for clients who need financial assistance.

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How do I know if I qualify for sliding scale fees?

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There’s no universal rule for who qualifies for sliding scale therapy in NYC. Some therapists base rates on your income, while others consider life circumstances, like job loss or a medical emergency.

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The way that need is determined varies from provider to provider; some may ask to verify your income before offering you a sliding scale rate while others may not. Brassie notes that it is very common for care providers to verify income before offering a reduced fee, so care seekers shouldn’t be alarmed or offended at this request.

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In Brassie’s experience, “Some practices offer sliding scale for a particular amount of time (ex. 10 sessions at a reduced rate), and others offer a certain number of spots in their caseload (5 clients get sliding scale indefinitely).”

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When Brassie has offered need-based sliding scale fees rather than those based on income, “it was usually as a stop gap.” For example, if a client lost their job or insurance coverage, she might offer them a reduced fee for a set period of time.

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Brassie reminds help seekers that they “should ask about the policy so they know what to expect.” Because offerings and qualification criteria vary, the best way to know what a specific provider offers is to ask.

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How to find a sliding scale therapist in NYC

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Brassie’s advice for accessing providers who offer sliding scale rates is simple: ask them! “Try to remember that the therapist you’re talking to has heard this question many times, and is not going to judge you or think differently of you for asking,” she says.

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In addition to looking for potential therapists who offer reduced rates through search engines and your insurance provider, websites like Healwise and Open Path Collective make it easy to connect with therapists who offer sliding scale fees.

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Brassie reminds us “if the therapist you contact doesn’t have any sliding scale spots available or the rate they name doesn’t work for you, please don’t push it.” Trust that the provider is offering you the best they can and if they aren’t the right fit, that’s okay– you’ll find one who is.

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