Fair Pricing
The Green Bottle
OUR REDUCED FEE PRICING POLICY
Why We Do It
At Christa Healing and Wellness Center, we believe that everyone is entitled to good quality services and we understand that for various reasons, at times, guests may not have the discretionary funds to cover a spiritual service they deeply desire. They may have extra expenses, are going through a difficult time, or various other reasons may prevent someone from being able to reasonably afford spiritual support.
As such, we offer a form of the Green Bottle Sliding Scale options and encourage guests to have an open and honest conversation with us when they may need to utilize these options.
We choose to follow the The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method, which is a tool that is flexible yet still provides some guidelines for us to follow when determining fees for services.
The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method
How It Works
The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method, developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk is a fee structure designed to accommodate clients with different financial means. It is a flexible payment range instead that provides the available options and the price for each service. At Christa Healing and Wellness Center, The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method allows guests to self-select the category they best fall into and the range that feels most comfortable to them. We do not check financials, we take guests at their word and expect for our guests to be open and transparent and to let us know if their financial situation improves. Our community will thrive when accountability is a central value, because that is where trust grows and depth of healing can happen. Practitioners deserve to be paid and guests deserve services which recognize the multiple realities of economic access and privilege that exist.
The Green Bottle Analogy: Think of it this way: Imagine a green bottle filled with liquid representing different payment options. The bottle is labeled with suggested payment amounts, such as “High Income,” “Medium Income,” and “Low Income.” Clients are invited to pick a marble that corresponds to their financial ability, no questions asked. This approach eliminates the discomfort of discussing finances and provides a safe space for clients to be honest about their capacity.
If paying for a class, product, or service would be difficult, but not detrimental, it qualifies as a sacrifice. You might have to cut back on other spending in your life (such as going out to dinner, buying coffee, or a new outfit), but this will not have a long term harmful impact on your life. It is a sacred sacrifice in order to pursue something you are called to do. If, however, paying for a class, product, or service would lead to a harmful impact on your life, such as not being able to put food on the table, pay rent, or pay for your transportation to get to work, then you are dealing with hardship. Guests coming from a space of hardship typically qualify for the lower end of the sliding scale. We find the idea of sacrifice versus hardship to be a very useful nuance when talking about all of the Center’s offerings and access because it recognizes and respects that paying for something might still be a challenge even if it is just a short-term one, while giving appropriate space for those who are dealing with financial hardship.
The following provides general guidelines about how we currently price our sliding scale and to help you determine where you fall.
*Click image to enlarge
The Green Bottle Plus
This is the cost of the offering (workshop, course, direct service) plus approximately a 20% ‘donation’. This allows the practitioner to be paid in full while providing funds for someone who may fall within the middle or lower tiers. It allows the Center to continue to offer free and low cost services and events while keeping our doors open. This fee equates to those who have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, and have more than enough funds for the ‘wants’ in life. This price is for you and your generous donation will return to you ten-fold.
The Green Bottle Full
It is the cost that the practitioner would charge all guests in the absence of a sliding scale. If you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, you would not traditionally qualify for sliding scale services. If you are able to pay for “wants” and spend little time worried about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in our community. This price is for you.
The Green Bottle Half
(When there is one) reflects the practitioner’s acknowledgement that paying the full cost would prevent some guests from being able to attend, but who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either descriptions for the plus, full, or low jar rates. If you are struggling to conquer debt or build savings or move away from paycheck to paycheck living but have access to steady income and are not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, child care, etc., you belong here. If you, however, can ask others for financial support, such as family members, partners, or friends, please consider using those personal resources before you use the resources of the sliding scale and limit opportunities for others.
The Green Bottle Low
Represents an honest acknowledgment by the teacher and practitioner that there are guests whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of classes if there was not a deliberate opportunity made for them to access services at a cost that is reflective of their economic realities. If you struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, child care, and are living paycheck to paycheck or are in significant debt, you probably belong here and you deserve a community that honors your price as equal to an economic offering as the person who can pay the full or plus tier. Even when the lower tier is still prohibitive, we will work with you to offer extended payment plans and other solutions.
Typically, there are a limited number of slots for products, services, and classes offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, 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 teachers and creators, like those at the Center, you have families to support and rent to pay. Additionally, when the Center practitioners are paid fairly, we are able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.
Fostering a Community of Trust: By embracing the Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method, we are fostering a community of trust, understanding, and empathy.
Guests feel valued and respected when they are given the autonomy to choose a fee that aligns with their financial situation. This method also encourages clients to be proactive in advocating for their needs, which can be incredibly empowering.
Redefining “Affordability”: Affordability should not be defined solely by the ability to pay a fixed price. With the Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method, we redefine what it means to be affordable by recognizing the diverse financial circumstances of our guests. This approach ensures that our services are accessible to a broader range of individuals, promoting inclusivity in our practice.
Welcome to Christa Healing and Wellness Center, we look forward to working with you and helping you grow!