Example milestone plan
An example plan for a therapy dream with a goal of $4,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
$600 · 15%
Arrange the opening sessions
Post a redacted fee schedule and receipts for the opening appointments, hiding names, contact details and session content.
Milestone 2
$1,200 · 30%
Fund the first session block
Share redacted payment receipts and a simple count of attended sessions for the first full block of funded appointments.
Milestone 3
$1,200 · 30%
Continue the support block
Upload receipts for the next session block and related access costs, with all personal and therapeutic details removed.
Milestone 4
$1,000 · 25%
Account for final sessions
Post payment records for the remaining funded appointments and a redacted summary comparing session costs with the budget.
- 01
Make every step provable
A milestone only works if a Backer can look at your proof and agree it is done. 'Buy equipment' is weak; 'equipment bought, receipt and photo posted' is strong.
- 02
Order by risk
Put the cheapest, fastest step first. Each proven milestone proves you deliver and encourages Backers to fund the next. Leave the biggest amount for the step where most of the work is already done.
- 03
Keep the amounts honest
Milestones must add up exactly to your goal. Price each step from real quotes, include tools and services, and split any step that is too big to prove in one go.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Provider fit may change
You may need to change provider after initial appointments. Keep the opening stage small and explain how different session fees would alter the number of appointments funded later.
- R2
Missed sessions affect spending
Cancelled or missed appointments may still create costs under a provider’s terms. Check those terms before budgeting and explain how any charged cancellation would appear in the expense proof.
- R3
Privacy can feel pressured
Public funding can create pressure to share personal experiences. Set proof boundaries before publishing and use redacted receipts instead of session notes or descriptions of therapeutic progress.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a therapy dream in Los Angeles, shown in USD. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
$4,000
- Therapy session fees$3,200 · 80%
- Private access essentials$200 · 5%
- Travel and connection costs$400 · 10%
- Initial consultation costs$200 · 5%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $4,000
- 0% platform commission
- −$600
- You receive
- $3,400
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Can I change therapists during the funded period?
If you change providers, update the remaining session budget and explain any fee or scheduling differences. Keep clinical reasons private and provide redacted receipts so Backers can understand how the revised block uses the funding.
How many milestones should a therapy dream have?
Three to six works for most dreams. Fewer gives Backers little to review; more than seven makes each step feel small. The example plan on this page uses four.
Do Backers need to know what I discuss in therapy?
Explain the session count, fee basis and funding period rather than the content of your appointments. Redacted receipts can show the funded service without exposing session notes, personal history or your reasons for seeking support.
Ready when you are
Sign in or create an account to publish a dream or back the ones you believe in.
Sign in / Create account