Payment & Fees

My fee structure is simple but unique.
1) In six words, my clients determine their own fee
2) I monitor payments collectively rather than individually. I do this so those who can only afford to pay a small amount feel no embarrassment and those who pay more come to expect no special privileges. When we met in person, almost no one took advantage of this anonymity. When we meet by video, however, it seems payments are more easily forgotten. Therefore, in order to preserve this system for the long-term, a mechanism was created to ensure everyone contributes.
In determining your own fee, I ask that you compare your budget with the figures below and make a decision that is fair for both of us. The rule of thumb is that if we both strive to do our best, we can trust that all will be well.
Because this is an unusual system, the following description of the figures below is offered to make the decision easier:
Average Donation equals the gross revenue divided by the number of sessions held. It represents the average amount people pay for their sessions. If you want to match what others choose to pay, this is your figure. If you can exceed this rate, because you know others can only afford less, your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Break-even Rate equals gross expenses divided by the number of sessions held. If you would like to ensure that I not lose money with this system, or if you are trying to aim for some minimum, this may be your figure. If you cannot match the average contribution, but you can give a little more than the break-even, your generosity is greatly appreciated as well.
An Equal's Share is a suggested fee; the chef's special. It pegs the current year's salary to an amount even with last year’s total expenses. If you would like to participate in an economic model that is more faithful, just, and healthy than the current system we have inherited, and thus far adopted, this may be the rate for you. At the time you make your payments, throughout the year, you may want to check the figure below. It will, in all likelihood, decline as the year proceeds.
Here is my heartfelt request: Please pay an Equals' Share for each session and then give 100% of the remainder of what you would have or could have given to a charity of your choice or thelifeyoucansave.org. Better yet, rather than donate money, see if you, whether adult or child, can volunteer one hour of your time, formally or informally, for each session we hold. It is fundamentally better, for many reasons, if 100 people (my clients) rather than only one (me) make a practice to share a portion of their time or surplus income with others.
I do not file for reimbursement from any insurance providers. My fee structure makes the participation of third-party payers, and their requisite diagnoses, for the healthy and unhealthy alike, unnecessary.
There are two methods for payment. One is secure credit card payment with the "Donate" button above. The other is by mailing a check to PO Box 1619, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA.
When I began this fee structure in 2016, I nicknamed it "The Birdhouse." When we met in-person, clients anonymously deposited their payments in the birdhouse pictured above which hung on my office wall.

Cost & Income Data
YTD (As of March 4, 2023)
Total Donations: $10,007.19
Total Expenses: $4,976.49
Sessions held: 212
Average Donation/session: $47.20
Break-even cost/session: $23.47
An Equal's Share: $13.21
Cumulative Averages (After Jubilee)
Average donation/session: $47.20
Break-even cost/session: $23.47
Cumulative Averages (2016-2021)
Average donation/session: $51.13
Break-even cost/session: $30.10