Processing experiences with a mental health professional can make a tremendous difference in how you feel and function.
Working with a therapist who makes you feel seen and holds hope that you will experience greater things ahead is the route to getting “better.”
Therapy Process
Connect.
You can set up a free 30-minute consult (“meet-and-greet”) by clicking the button below.
Consult.
Upon confirming your appointment, you will receive an email prompting you to complete a short questionnaire.
Right Fit.
“Right fit” is an important consideration. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is similar to other important ones in our life – it requires trust, comfort, and vulnerability. If you feel like we aren’t a good fit, I am more than happy to help you find a different therapist with whom you might connect better.
Sessions.
The total duration of therapy is unique to each client and depends on many variables, including the complexity of your situation and goals as well as ongoing events in your life. Some clients are in therapy for three to six months, while other clients feel more supported by longer-term therapy.
FAQs
How do I get started?
You can set up a free 30-minute consult (“meet-and-greet”) by scheduling directly here or you can email me directly.
Do you offer both in-person and virtual sessions?
Yes. I am licensed to provide services to clients anywhere in Washington state.
What days of the week do you offer sessions?
I offer sessions Monday – Thursday.
What if we don’t “click?”
That’s ok! “Right fit” is an important consideration. I encourage you to trust your intuition about what feels good to you.I believe that the therapeutic relationship is similar to other important ones in our life – it requires trust, comfort, and vulnerability. My approach does not work for everyone. If you ultimately aren’t feeling like we are a good fit, I am more than happy to help you find a different therapist with whom you might connect better.
Can I tell you anything? I mean, ANYthing anything?
Yes! Confidentiality is extremely important to the therapeutic process and is something I take very seriously. Most people come to therapy with extremely sensitive things that are often not discussed outside of session.
Everything in mental health counseling is private, with some exceptions having to do with safety and/or legal requirements. The main exceptions to confidentiality are: 1) If you tell me that you are likely to harm yourself or others, 2) If you let me know about a member of a vulnerable population (child, differently-abled or older adult) who is being harmed, 3) If you let me know that another licensed medical provider in Washington state is behaving unethically, 4) If I receive a subpoena request from a court. In all of these cases, we would have a conversation (likely multiple conversations) about these things before I breached our confidentiality. Nothing would happen behind your back. Your rights and more about confidentiality are outlined in the intake paperwork that you will receive before the first (“intake”) session. I will provide you with a written copy of my confidential disclosure agreement, which is called “Informed Consent.
Can I ask you anything?
Yes! If something is on your mind, please ask. Due to the professional nature of our relationship, I may choose not to answer your question … but, more likely, I will ask in response why that information would be meaningful to you. In general, I am a very open and down-to-earth person; there are only a few things that I protect judiciously for the sake of privacy for myself and my family, or when I feel that disclosing something might be counter-therapeutic to our work together.
If we know each other from other walks of life, will I be able to work with you?
If we happen to know one another in the community, outside the therapeutic setting, I will not be able to be your therapist. This is called a “dual relationship,” which occurs when a therapist has a second relationship with a client. Boundaries in therapy create trust and facilitate growth. I am happy to refer you to another therapist. In the same spirit, we cannot be friends on social media, due to the importance of maintaining your confidentiality and respecting your privacy.
What are your Covid-safety practices?
The health, well-being, and comfort of everyone I work with is my first priority. To that end: I offer both telehealth sessions (on an encrypted/HIPPA compliant platform) and in-person appointments. For in-person sessions, both client and therapist are required to wear masks. The office is considered a “health care setting” per Washington State. My office has an air purifier and we are able to open a window, if that improves your comfort level. I am fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19.
If you are experiencing even mild symptoms of cold, flu, or Covid-19, we must meet via telehealth.
Can my partner and I see you both individually and as a couple?
For ethical and privacy issues, I am unable to work with persons individually who are clients in couple’s therapy. I also cannot move from providing individual therapy to therapy with an individual + their partner. If you have seen me for couple’s therapy but our couple’s work has terminated, I can see one member of the couple for individual work.
How long will I be “in therapy?”
You might be asking because you think that therapy will be an overwhelming process. If this is true for you, please know that on average, new clients start seeing relief after a couple months, but this can vary from person-to-person. The total duration of therapy is unique to each client and depends on many variables, including the complexity of your situation and goals as well as ongoing events in your life. Some clients are in therapy for three to six months, while other clients feel more supported by longer-term therapy. But it’s important to me to communicate that you always have agency around continuing treatment; I will not “mandate” in any way that you continue therapy with me. My style is client-centered, which is based on the belief that clients hold the power to change and are in charge of their own ways to achieve that. No matter how well we get to know one another, you are still the expert on YOU.
Generally, counseling sessions are once a week at a set time and continue as long as the client and therapist believe that therapy is mutually beneficial.
Will I be given a mental health diagnosis?
The short answer is yes, if you are using health insurance benefits. A mental health diagnosis is a code assigned to the issue(s) that brings you to therapy. It is required to receive mental health services that are paid for by health insurance plans. If you are paying out-of-pocket, you have the option of not receiving a mental health diagnosis.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. In Washington state, licensed mental health providers who are not medical doctors or nurse practitioners cannot prescribe medication. I can, however, provide referrals and am happy to discuss your experiences with, or feelings about, psychiatric medication in session together. Research shows that psychotherapy can successfully address many symptoms of emotional distress. It is, however, not always sufficient on its own. Sometimes a combination of medication and therapy can achieve the best results.
Are there things that you don’t treat?
If eating disorders or addiction come up in therapy, I will either refer you to someone with that specific specialty or ask that we add an expert to your team.I am unable to treat psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc).
Do you write letters or complete other paperwork on my behalf?
I cannot write letters or fill out paperwork for emotional support animals (ESAs), FMLA, hormone replacement therapy, short or long term disability, or ADA paperwork. Much of this documentation is outside my scope of practice and should come from other practitioners. Fees associated with court-related matters are listed in the initial paperwork (Informed Consent).
What if we see each other outside of session?
Your privacy is very important to me. If we see each other out in the “real world,” my policy is to not acknowledge you unless you make contact first. If you are comfortable greeting one another, it will be my delight to say hello!
