Questions people usually have before their first session

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Right now I'm offering telehealth only, for clients located anywhere in Washington State. I offer a few months of in-person sessions throughout the year for us to catch up face to face.

Do you take insurance?

I am contracted with Premera and Regence at this time. Many clients use out-of-network benefits or an HSA/FSA or submit a superbill (which I prepare for you) for reimbursement. It's worth calling your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we start. I can provide you all the information you need for that phone call.

How much do you charge per session without insurance?

$180/hr. Sometimes people think that they will have to pay more even with insurance. If you have Premera or Regence, I have a contracted rate with them and can only accept what that contract says they are willing to reimburse. You’re out of pocket costs are stipulated by the specific plan you have with them and vary from person to person. Insurance is confusing for everyone. We can chat more about this in our initial phone call.

What if I can't afford your full rate?

I offer a limited number of sliding-scale appointments. This is a great thing to bring up in a consultation call.

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

I hear this from many folks I talk to and it doesn't mean therapy isn't for you. Sometimes it's about fit (the way a particular therapist works just didn't match what you needed). Sometimes it's timing. And sometimes, honestly, the person across from you wasn't willing to say the harder true thing when it mattered. I try not to make that mistake. If something isn't working, I'll tell you, and I'd rather you tell me too.

I've never done therapy before. What happens in the first session?

Mostly, we talk. There's no script and nothing you need to prepare. I'll ask questions to understand what's going on and what brought you in, and you can share as much or as little as feels okay. You don't need to have the right words yet.

How long does therapy take? When will I feel better?

I can't give you a timeline, and I'd be skeptical of anyone who does. For some people, things start feeling more workable within a few sessions. For others, it takes longer, especially if what you're working through has been building for years. We'll check in regularly about how it's going, and you're always allowed to ask.

Is everything I say confidential?

Yes, with the standard legal exceptions any licensed therapist has to follow (like risk of harm to yourself or others). I'll walk through exactly what that means and when it would apply during our first session, so there are no surprises.

What if I don't know what to talk about once we're in session?

That's okay, and completely normal. We don't need a topic queued up. A lot of the most useful moments in therapy start from "I don't really know where to begin." Building trust is also a normal part of the therapy process. Sometimes that is a quick process and sometimes it takes many sessions. We will move at your speed.