What can I expect?

You may feel some fear or uncertainty about therapy. Many people feel nervous about taking the step forward. The journey of therapy is a shared process. Although you define the direction, I will listen and engage with you with openness and respect.

The first session we will discuss the therapeutic relationship and begin getting to know one another. It can feel like a bit of a different session because we’ll cover a lot of ground from your past to present, process your therapeutic goals, and discuss office policies, privacy, and confidentiality. Since the best outcomes in therapy come from a positive therapeutic alliance with your therapist, we will also be assessing our fit together to make sure you are comfortable with me, while I will be assessing if my skills and background are a fit for your situation. It can sometimes take 2-3 sessions for us to decide this together. If we decide that it is not the best fit, I will provide you with referrals to other therapists.

Sessions with me are engaging and conversational. If you aren’t yet comfortable opening up, we will work together to build the frame for you to get there. 

How can therapy help me?

Therapy can provide you support, problem solving, advocacy for accomplishing goals, and coping strategies for a range of issues. As an objective observer, I can provide you fresh perspective or wider lens views about what may be going on for you. Many people may feel that therapists “give advice” or tell you what to do. I stray away from advice and I will not tell you what to do. I will offer you the tools to discover the best way forward for yourself.

The way you benefit from therapy depends on your own commitment and readiness to engage. Some benefits that clients report include: learning new coping skills, managing heavy emotions like sadness or anger, adapting new patterns, building confidence and self-esteem, and recovering from a recent loss, life adjustment or trauma. I am here to help you find ways in which you can create meaningful change in your life and learn new tools to help you gain insight.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

The great news is that you can decide to terminate therapy at any time. Many people have specific goals or issues they want to work through and can sense when those issues are no longer present or have adapted. Some prefer to remain engaged in therapy for a longer term to heal from trauma, build a stronger self identity,  or just for their own self-care. We will always have a foundational direction for our work together. We will be monitoring your progress so you can make sure you know that therapy is effective for you.

Can you see me if I’m outside Washington state?

My license is only valid for engaging in therapy for Washington residents. This also means that if you are a Washington resident and travel out of state, we are not able to hold session until you return to Washington.

Do you take Insurance?

For individual therapy, I am able to work with Premera and LifeWise clients in network. At this time, I am not able to provide a superbill or be an out of network provider.

Any other questions?

Please reach out. I am here to help. I can also answer questions in a free zoom consult you can book below.