What is a Sliding Scale?

Do you know what it means for a Counsellor to offer a sliding scale?

Many Counsellors in Kelowna, including at our clinic Lakeshore Clinical Counselling, offer a sliding scale. If it’s not clear what that means, this blog is for you. 

A sliding scale is an offering made by Counsellors to lower the rate counselling, for various considerations. The most common consideration is financial need and/or lack of insurance coverage. Many Counsellors want to help reduce barriers to accessing counselling and limiting financial barriers is a way to do that. 

Now that you’re clear on what a sliding scale is, your next question might be: How can I be considered for a sliding scale rate? The answer for Counsellors at Lakeshore is to reach out and ask. Send an email to the Counsellor you’re hoping to work with. State that you are interested in starting counselling and that you need a reduced rate in order to be able to access counselling. You can suggest a price that works for you or ask the Counsellor what they can offer. 

Additionally, if you feel comfortable with it, you can share why you are a candidate for receiving a reduced rate - totally up to you to share what feels right and relevant. The Counsellor may also have some questions for you. 

As Counsellors, our goal is to help and if we can reduce financial barriers to accessing care we want to do that. It takes some courage to ask, that’s for sure. It’s also worth it if it means getting the help you need from a Counsellor you want to work with.

If you’re curious about accessing a sliding scale rate, please feel free to email the Counsellor you’d like to work with or contact info@lakeshorecounselling.com for more information. 

There are Counsellors here in Kelowna at Lakeshore Clinical Counselling that want to help you and are keen to start working with you. We encourage you to take that first step!