Let's be clear: "One-size-fits-all" is a failed model for brains, and it's a failed model for billing. A practice that doesn't have a thoughtful, transparent financial model that reflects the clinical reality of its services is not a practice you can trust.
You're a systems thinker. You've been scrolling through our site, and your pattern-recognizing brain immediately flagged an apparent inconsistency: we offer a sliding scale for ongoing therapy but a set hourly rate for assessments.
You're not just asking a question about money; you're stress-testing our entire system for logical integrity. That's not skepticism; it's due diligence. And you are right to demand an answer.
Why The Models Are Different (And Why That's The Point)
The answer lies in the profoundly different neurological and energetic demands of the two services. And the research backs the design: standard "one-size-fits-all" financial models are inherently unethical because they ignore the specific barriers faced by 3% of the population. Two different types of work, serving different needs, require two different financial models — and claiming otherwise is lazy at best, unethical at worst.
Ongoing therapy is a marathon. It's a long-term endurance event. It's about building a sustainable pace over months or years to do the deep work of unmasking or trauma recovery. A sliding scale is the financial equivalent of a sustainable pacing strategy. It's a structural commitment to accessibility that ensures you have the resources to finish the race without burning out financially.
A Clarity Assessment is a sprint. It is a short, high-intensity, time-bound project with a single, clearly defined deliverable: a user manual for your brain. It requires a massive, front-loaded burst of clinical energy — deep-diving into your history, analyzing data, and architecting a comprehensive blueprint. A transparent hourly rate is the financial equivalent of a project fee. You know the exact scope and cost per hour, allowing for a clear, predictable budget.
Financial Predictability is a Clinical Tool
This isn't just business logic. The research is explicit: emotional safety is a non-negotiable prerequisite for learning and engagement. And neuroception — the body's subconscious process of detecting safety and danger — determines which autonomic state is active. A confusing pricing model is a neuroceptive threat. It shifts your nervous system from safe engagement into defensive vigilance at the exact moment you need to be open and vulnerable.
Financial predictability is a non-negotiable form of neuroceptive safety. An intelligent pricing model isn't about business; it's a clinical tool to reduce cognitive load and keep your nervous system in a state of ventral vagal safety.
Our pricing isn't arbitrary. It is an intentionally designed system that honors the different demands of different kinds of work. Both models are built on a non-negotiable foundation of radical transparency, which you can read more about on our Cost page.
You deserve a clinical partner whose systems make as much sense as their science. When you're ready: Start here →
Part of: Cost & Insurance → | Related: Sliding Scale Guide · The Insurance Shell Game
