Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. Here are answers to the ones I hear most often. If yours isn’t here, you’re welcome to send me a message or ask during a free consultation.
Getting started
What if I’m not sure what I need help with?
A lot of clients come to me unsure about the things they are experiencing or feeling. You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. If you’re interested in exploring therapy or just want to talk through what’s going on, our free consultation is a safe space to clarify your experiences and discuss the route forward.
How quickly can I get started?
Usually, you can have your first therapy session within a week. You can book your free consultation right now!
Is it a good time to start if I’ve already got too much going on?
Therapy does ask for some space in your life, and it makes sense to consider what you can manage. However, you don’t need to devote hours of time on a weekly basis to therapy. Making room to meet every other week may provide enough support for meaningful change. We can leave deeper processing for later and focus on self-reflection, practical problem-solving, and building skills that help you navigate an already busy life.
Who I work with
Do you work with couples?
I do not offer couples sessions, but I am happy to provide referrals.
Do you work with kids or teens?
I only work with adults 18 and older. I am happy to provide referrals.
Can I see you if I’m out of state?
I am only licensed to see people currently residing in Washington, Michigan and Connecticut.
What therapy is like
How do I know therapy sessions will work?
I’ve worked with a wide range of concerns and tailor the process to each individual. Therapy is a collaborative process focused on building awareness of your patterns and emotional responses, experimenting with new strategies and perspectives, and creating lasting change. In most sessions, you can expect to walk away with something tangible—whether that’s a new insight, a practical strategy, or a sense of relief. These small shifts help us confirm we’re moving in the right direction.
What if I don’t know what from the past is causing these issues?
You don’t need to know before starting. We can use techniques that explore present-day feelings, body sensations, and associations, allowing impressions or memories to come to mind that may feel connected. We approach these with curiosity, without forcing memories or assuming an impression proves what happened.
Will I have to tell you everything that happened?
No, you don’t need to recount every detail; we can focus on how past experiences affect you now.1 When revisiting the past is useful, we approach it in manageable pieces, after developing ways to help you recenter. You have a say in what you share and when we pause.
What issues have you worked with?
I’ve helped clients heal from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, religious trauma, narcissistic and codependent parents and partners, medical trauma, being parentified children, high-pressure parents, and more.
Online sessions and scheduling
How is this effective if we’re just meeting online?
It’s true that things will feel different if we’re just seeing each other through a screen and I understand if this is a dealbreaker for you. However, the main way we’ll help you heal is through working mindfully with emotions and sensations in your body, which can be done effectively anywhere. Multiple research studies also show that telehealth counseling can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many mental health concerns.2 Meeting online can make it a lot easier to fit into your life, which may mean you’ll be able to more consistently keep your sessions.
Do you offer in-person sessions?
I offer online therapy for clients in Washington only. I do not offer in-person sessions.
How often do we meet?
I’m open to what works best for you—twice a week, weekly, every other week, once a month or “as-needed.” However, for best results, I would recommend at least trying out once a week and adjusting from there.
Fees and insurance
Do you take insurance?
I don’t accept any health insurance plans; however, if your plan offers out-of-network services, you may be partially reimbursed. Please contact me for a free estimate. More info here
Do you accept settlement funds?
It varies on a case-by-case basis, but in the past I have accepted payment from injury settlement funds and victim settlement funds. I like to help with this when I can, so reach out and I’ll be happy to discuss further.
Do you offer sliding-scale or free/pro bono sessions?
I do offer a limited number of sliding-scale and free/pro bono slots, but currently those are all taken. I do not offer a waitlist for those.
Still have questions? Let’s chat
A free, 25-minute video consultation gives us a chance to talk through anything that’s on your mind, with no obligation to continue.
References
- Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor psychotherapy: Interventions for trauma and attachment. W. W. Norton & Company. ↩
- Lin, T., Heckman, T. G., & Anderson, T. (2022). The efficacy of synchronous teletherapy versus in-person therapy: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 29(2), 167–178. doi.org/10.1037/cps0000056 ↩