My problems don’t seem that serious; is counseling right for me?

There’s a lot of misconceptions surrounding counseling/therapy. Primarily, the idea that you have to have serious symptoms to seek out help. This is absolutely not true! Why wait for something serious to develop, when you can prevent that by getting a little “tune-up,” acquiring some skills, and ultimately feeling more secure in the long-run?

What are some not-so-serious things I can come to counseling for?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, if life is stressful, if you find yourself getting irritated and/or frustrated easier than normal, maybe you’re noticing yourself having thoughts or feelings that get you down or intrude on your day and keep you up at night, or perhaps you’re having trouble concentrating and staying motivated: These are all things that counseling can be helpful for!

I feel strange doing telehealth/telemedicine instead of the classic office counseling setting; what should I expect?

Expect to be more comfortable! That’s right: The most common feedback I’ve gotten from clients doing videoconferencing/telehealth with me is that it’s far more comfortable, convenient, and easier to meet in this format! I didn’t realize this starting out, but it turns out that people actually enjoy doing telehealth counseling because they get to see me from the comfort of their own home/office/wherever they choose, instead of having to get up and go somewhere, enter someone else’s space, and sit on unfamiliar furniture, while talking about issues.

Instead, there is an extra added layer of security when clients meet with me from their own “home base” that is, apparently, very helpful when discussing more difficult topics.

It’s my first time: What should I expect?

Well…Expect that it will be a little awkward at first! One of the most important parts of counseling is building a strong relationship with your counselor. Unfortunately, that takes some time. So expect to feel a bit uncomfortable, after all, you might be talking about some rather personal stuff. The first few sessions are about gathering history to get a full picture of what’s going on, but mostly, they’re about getting to know you.

Also, there’s no rush! There’s absolutely no pressure to dive in at the “deep end of the pool” right away, if at all! Keep in mind that you are in charge: This means that you get to dictate what is talked about and how you want to proceed with treatment. Feel free to tell your counselor the things that you like, as well as the interventions, activities, homework, or dialogue that didn’t work for you: Throughout treatment I will routinely check in with you about what’s helpful for you, and what isn’t.

Are there things I can learn in counseling that aren’t related to discussing my problems?

Counseling can help with things like:

• Skills’ building (for example social and communication skills),

• Discovering ways to be more effective interpersonally,

• Gaining the tools you need to be able to manage stress and overwhelming emotions/situations,

• Learning about how your brain and body work (so that how you feel throughout the day isn’t such a mystery),

• And so much more!

What if I realize that talking about tender issues is too uncomfortable for me? Can I still benefit from counseling?

Yes, you can! You don’t have to discuss anything deep or problematic if that’s not something you want, or are comfortable with. Remember, you’re in charge of your own treatment! Some people seek out counseling simply to put together a “tool box” for handling whatever life throws at them. Whether it’s major life events, trouble adjusting to new circumstances, a new or stressful job, or wanting to be better at interacting with friends and family, counseling can help clients learn how to manage it all a little better.

I just need someone to talk to about life stuff: Is that okay?

Of course it’s okay! Most of us talk to people about exactly that: Life. Meanwhile, life can get a bit intense at times (especially now, my goodness the last two pandemic years have been wild), and it’s easy to get carried away overthinking things, making negative judgments, discounting positives, and getting lost while trying to figure out those pesky day-to-day “life” things.

I live outside of Washington. Can I still access your services?

I am only accepting clients that reside in Washington State at this time. Unfortunately, due to legalities that govern healthcare providers in the mental health field, I can only practice within the states I hold an active license in. I’m working on getting licensed in Oregon as well, so I’ll be accepting Oregon residents soon!

What does pricing look like?

My rates for sessions are based off standard pricing for my license type and location. I charge $150 per 55 minute session for Individuals, and $180 per 55 minute session for families/couples. However, I do offer a sliding scale, and am willing to work out a price point that you can afford (in good faith). I take both private pay clients and insurance. Currently I accept Aetna, Cigna, United/Optum, Regence, and local subsidieries of Blue Cross Blue Shield.