Each session is 50 minutes of client contact plus 10 minutes to prepare and write up notes. Extended sessions of 75 minutes are available for couples and families. Group sessions are two hours long.
.
Following the 30 minute phone consultation, we schedule a 75 minute client intake session. This initial meeting is longer to allow  time to collect specific background information and details about the presenting issues. Its also an opportunity to establish a professional client/therapist relationship, and discuss possible approaches, expectations and paperwork.

The length of time a person is in counseling depends on the client and the issues being worked on. For some people therapy lasts a lifetime as they manage mental illness. Others can get the insight and action needed in just a few weeks. At your intake, be sure to discuss this with me.

Mental health issues show up when people realize they can no longer cope with what is surfacing in their lives without help. Once the capacity to deal with the issues is restored, clients feel “unstuck” and ready to move forward by themselves.
.
For some, mental illness is a life-long journey that requires support from a therapist in conjunction with other healthcare professionals. Others see regular counseling as part of their own self-care routine, as much as diet and exercise.
.
As clients discover deeper sources of strength and resilience, they find they are capable of making more creative choices in everyday life, and are ready to finish counseling. Please be sure to discuss this with me at intake.

Yes. I am an associate Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington #MC60427977. I have professional supervision to support my practice, and regularly meet with my supervisor and peers for consultation on new issues and bringing best practices into the therapy room.

I do not take insurance. However, I will supply invoices so clients can seek reimbursement from their insurance companies.

I do not offer a sliding scale. I volunteer in the community in various capacities where my time is donated. This is my business, and I work hard to make sure the value of the client experience is worth the financial investment.

Sometimes the issues that present are better suited to either a different style of counseling or someone who specializes in the field. If this is the case, I have connection to a large professional network and will refer you to a different therapist.

I use SimplePractice as my scheduling and record keeping software. It is cloud-based and meets all HIPPA requirements for electronic record keeping. For more information, please visit their website.

I prefer a transparent process called collaborative note-taking. This means that we co-create the notes from each session, so there are no secrets. Once a client has been connected to the software it’s easy to access your records on-line.

Yes, I am a member of the Seattle Counselors Association and Psychology Today.