POLICIES: Team Member Policies
This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for the payment of stipends to eligible individuals engaged in specific work within Droste.
This policy applies to all individuals eligible to receive stipends as determined by Droste.
Setting Stipend (Payment) Rates
Many practices that use fee-for-service (FFS) therapists will set one-rate for seeing clients. However, due to our sliding scale structure at Droste, we set rates by using a percentage of revenue received. This means, FFS therapists receive a percentage of client fees, starting at 35% and going up to 55%. Droste provides a 5% raise each year, capping at 55% with the exception of practitioners who are not fully licensed. For practitioners who are not fully licensed, stipend rates are capped at 50% with an additional 5% raise provided upon receipt of full licensure (LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, LCAT).
What Do I Get Paid For?
FFS therapists receive a percentage of any session fees collected. FFS therapists do not receive payment for time spent in supervision, for sessions cancelled with 24 hours notice, or for in-services or trainings. If a client cancels with less than 24 hours notice and a FFS therapist charges the client for that missed session, the FFS therapist will receive their portion of that fee collected. If a client has more than two sessions unpaid, Droste will suspend that client. If a therapist continues to schedule sessions with a suspended client, that therapist will only receive payment if Droste receives payment for those sessions.
Frequency of Payment
FFS therapists and supervisors are paid once a month through Zelle. If payment by check is preferred, that should be discussed with the Business Administrator. Additionally, if bi-monthly payment is desired, that should be discussed with the Business Administrator.
Where Does Droste’s Portion of the Client Fee Go?
Droste uses the remainder of the session fee to cover operational expenses including, but not limited to: rent, liability insurance, equipment, utilities, supervision infrastructure including Therapy Notes, our EHR system, subsidizing below-market therapy rates, and administrative support.
Tax Implications
Stipend payments may be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings as required by law. Recipients are responsible for reporting stipend payments as income and complying with all tax obligations.