FAQ

I am anywhere and everywhere you have privacy, a strong Internet connection, or a phone line with good reception. I choose virtual therapy, because my clients find it convenient to their lifestyle, as effective as in-person therapy, and safe.

Not convinced that online therapy will work? I wasn’t either, at first. Now, after experiencing equally positive outcomes between virtual and in-person therapy (positive outcomes being the most important consideration regarding mode of service delivery), there is every reason to see clients online.

Some of the additional upsides of online therapy aside from the obvious convenience? Health considerations, environmental impact, potential savings in fuel costs, to name just a few of the less obvious benefits.

Again, a positive outcome is the most important indicator of effectiveness. Regardless of where therapy takes place, it really does always take place inside you. Don’t take my word for it – have the experience for yourself; that is the only way to know.

Because I do worldwide coaching in addition to online therapy, my hours are impacted by client time zone as well as the time zone from which I am working. Finding the right time for a session has never been an issue.

Session length depends on what service you are accessing.

Therapy sessions are generally 50, 80, or 120 minutes (timing depends on client focus and preference, and are a collaborative decision).

Intensives are always 120 minutes and sometimes go longer.

Coaching sessions are 50 minutes.

Visualization sessions are always 120 minutes.

You’ll call me, and we’ll have a 20-minute phone consult (free to you) to get to know one another a bit. If we agree that we’re a good fit for therapy, coaching, or visualizations, all that needs happen is to make an appointment with me and appear for it. At the first appointment, we’ll discuss next steps.

Because I work in a variety of ways, it’s easiest to talk about fees in our initial 20-minute call.

I accept credit/debit cards via Square. I also take Health Savings Account (HSA) cards, though you will need to verify with your employer or the HSA provider how/for what services your card may be used.

In regard to psychotherapy, I am not on any insurance panels and do not work directly with insurance companies. Coaching and visualization packages are not covered by insurance.

For clients who request it, I provide a monthly ‘superbill,’ the document which reflects the services I deliver and the necessary information your insurance requires for billing purposes.

Clients are responsible for: understanding what their insurance covers, communicating with the insurance provider, and submitting superbills.

I’m going to share something I noticed about myself and what some clients have reported in regard to starting therapy.

Some people (just as I initially did) tend to think, “I can’t afford this…” Nearly all people, once therapy is under way have the overwhelming realization, “I shouldn’t have put this off for so long.”

I knew why that was my reaction after I made the leap to start therapy, and I wanted to know more about why others make that statement to me time-and-time again – so I started to inquire.

Here is a generalized summation of people’s thoughts: “If I had started therapy when I first knew I needed it, I would be much further along; I would have known sooner that I am worth taking care of myself; I would have faced my fears about lack of resources and seen that they were groundless; I would have been more honest with myself sooner about the kinds of things I was already spending money on; I wouldn’t have used money as an excuse not to come; I would have learned, more quickly, that my fear about spending money on myself was/is one of the ways I keep myself stuck.” …and similar thoughts to those.

Several clients have also told me that before therapy they would spend money on all kinds of things that gave them nothing truly valuable in return – once they put therapy at the top of the priority list and showed up, it became clear early-on that their investment in themselves was one of the best choices they have made.

So, there you have what other people have told me.

My personal experience with the dynamic of scarcity and putting off self-care? Only through coming to therapy and facing underlying thought patterns and uncovering hidden beliefs have I become more able to move through things like fear of lack.

As old thoughts and patterns are let go of, I continue to discover deep inner resources that give me confidence to do what I know is in my best interest, regardless of having some fear.

As I make appropriate self-care decisions, I am always rewarded with more confidence that everything is alright, and I will be okay regardless of the size of my bank account.

The inner freedom and security I now experience have replaced the illusion of security that ‘enough money’ once provided.

Call me at (206) 779-2340, and we’ll set one up!

One of the great things about virtual therapy is that there are fewer possible reasons for not showing up. And, I also understand that stuff happens.

Each person who cancels within 24 hours of an appointment without also rescheduling a new appointment within the same week is charged full fee. When you reschedule with me at the time of cancellation, it helps me keep both your appointment schedule, my schedule, and appointments for others on-track. Rescheduling is a show of good faith.

One reason consistency is important: consistency builds self-trust, and it also strengthens the trust between you and me. Another good reason to be consistent in our therapy is, consistency allows me to do my best work… So, if you notice thoughts like, ‘I just don’t feel like therapy this week,’ or ‘There’s just nothing to talk about,’ that’s a pretty good sign to keep your appointment (and we will drill into that when we meet…).

So, to re-cap: When you cancel an appointment and at that same time request a new appointment to take place within that same week (and you keep that new appointment), you will not be charged.

The free initial 20-minute consult is a chat where you let me know what brings you to therapy or coaching right now and what kind of help you’re looking for. Most importantly, though, the consult gives us both a good indication of whether we are a good fit as collaborators.

I don’t have a particular ‘type’ of client with whom I work best, except to say that – if you are tired of running in endless, depressing, and anxiety-producing loops; if you are sick of hearing the same-old, repetitive, negative self-talk; if you continue to relive negative events or re-create unhealthy situations and relationships again-and-again; if you’ve tried to “fix” yourself and the “fixes” don’t work; and, if you are ready to bring someone into your life that you can trust 100 percent to have your highest good at heart? – If any of those things are where you are right now, then you are ready for change.

And I am ready to be the person that sees you, hears you, and is with you all the way. You’re ready to let go of outmoded patterns to make room for a life you enjoy living.

I work with people of any gender identity or sexual orientation 18 years or older. I see individuals and couples.

Yes, all of the above. Unfortunately, I am only fluent in my birth language, English, so that is the language we use in sessions. I have had the privilege of working with and learning from people from around the world and from all walks of life.

It is casual while still being focused completely on you. It’s like finding a place of rest with an old friend, maybe a mentor or teacher; and the conversation and focus are on what you’ve been experiencing, what you most want for your life, and whatever is getting in the way of your peace and happiness.

I’ll ask questions, listen deeply, hold your highest good in every moment. I’ll pay attention to everything in the moment that will help us uncover the roots of depression, anxiety, fear and doubt, as well as help you come to terms with your unique strengths, inherent worth, and limitless possibilities.

We’ll explore, in the present moment, what is still showing up from the past so that you have more freedom in your life. The experience is all about you and is in the service of your highest good and your best life.

Since this is for you, there is not a doubt in my mind that the timing will be made clear – and you are the one to make that determination.

From my end, I see that it varies – I have had clients come to therapy, leave for various reasons, and then come back again to explore new territory.

Some clients have a very specific issue in mind when they come in and then find that there is more they want to learn about themselves than they had at first thought.

Some clients think they have a long road ahead and come to find that what they came in for resolves more quickly than they anticipated.

Still other clients look at therapy as a preventative wellness routine and want support for the long walk of life…

Regardless of when you decide therapy is over, I will periodically check in with you about how things are going for you in the process and adjust with you as necessary. I always have a final session with people at the end of their process to review our shared experience and listen to what they will take with them, celebrate their victories, and witness the beginning of the next chapter.

I’m not sure what might be meant by this question, but this is what I see: each person who honors the instinct that led them to therapy, shares their heartfelt experience while in the session, allows themself to feel and talk and explore whatever shows up for them; if a person allows these things, life shifts in positive ways. Always.

On the practical side of things, the people who keep appointments as scheduled and create therapeutic consistency and continuity are also the folks who allow the other things I mentioned and for whom positive shifts are the inevitable outcome.

Yes, I have always wondered who first wrote that phrase and what they were thinking… I consider that the risks are in surrendering one’s outmoded, self-defeating patterns of thought and action. One must first face what’s not working in order to let go, and that can feel very risky. Letting go of old patterns is scary because they are familiar, and we often identify ourselves through those old patterns and actions…

The benefits one gains from therapy are the upside of the risks one takes: you let go of outmoded patterns, thoughts, and ways of relating to yourself and the world. Where you once suffered, you now have room for the peace and happiness that are natural to your being. That is some mighty benefit!

Yes, I have been going to therapy on-and-off since I was in my teens; therapy is an essential part of taking care of myself.

In fact, the positive outcomes I have experienced as a result of engaging in therapy are the predominant reasons I make psychotherapy my career. There is nothing more satisfying than creating opportunity for transformation.

Therapy? Best choice ever.