Sliding Scale Payment Options
Accessibility is incredibly important to me.
Quality is, too. That’s why I provide services on a sliding scale.
What is a Sliding Scale?
A capitalist system determines our financial access and value by race, perceived gender identity, disability/ability, immigration status, and/or primary language among many other systems of imposed hierarchy. There is no exact formula that determines what each of us can afford, because income is not the only determining factor. For example, your relationship to money might also be affected by being a caregiver, your access to generational wealth, and/or costs related to a disability.
A sliding scale can be used to encourage people to pay according to their available resources. Those with greater financial privilege contribute more, allowing those with less access, to pay according to their means. This allows a business to sustain its services while making accessibility as broad as possible.
You can learn more about this anti-capitalist approach here.
Where do I fall on the Sliding Scale?
The sliding scale represents the idea that financial resources, including income, are not and should not be the only determining factor in whether or not someone can access services and care. The Green Bottle chart expands our understanding of financial privilege and personal financial experience. Please use it to determine the level you’re able to invest in your birth experience.
As a small business owner, I do not receive any outside funding to supplement sliding scale discounts, so I must take into account what I am able to offer and still be able to support my family.
For a sliding scale to work it relies on the principles of truthfulness, respect for nuances and complexity, and accountability. I do not ask for income verification. I trust my clients to be honest. Community thrives when accountability is a central value, because that is where trust grows and depth work can be done.
There is a limited amount slots offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you purchase a package at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket price, 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. It also respects the work of doulas, like myself, who have their own families to support and bills to pay. Additionally, when I am paid fairly, I am able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.
Top of the Scale (or the left bottle):
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
For ease of reading, here is the text from each of the bottles in the above graphic:
Bottom of the Scale (or the right bottle):
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
Middle of the Scale (or the middle bottle):
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
* Basic Needs includes food, housing, utilities, health care, transportation, etc.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.
$1800 When you pay full value... know that your payment is matching the value of the services you’re receiving and you’re helping others access the same services who may not have been able to otherwise.
$1500 When you pay in the middle... know that your payment is helping me cover my costs and sustain a life dedicated to this work for you and others.
$1200 When you pay on the lower end... know that your payment and our agreement is a way that we support each other and share our gifts, passions, and missions!
Each of the above are wonderful and acceptable displays of community in business! I’ve personally been on different parts of the scale at different points in my life. Please reach out to me to discuss your needs.
*All services will be invoiced at the standard price with discounts applied.
Additional Payment Options:
I am a proud Be Her Village partner, which allows families to add my services to their baby registry, and I am approved to accept most Michigan Medicaid health plans. Both of these options can reduce or eliminate all costs for my services!
Please email me or click the button below to fill out the contact form so we can discuss your needs and come up with a plan that works for you.
