What’s important in choosing a therapist?
The most important part of therapy is the relationship with your therapist. Notice whether you feel safe, open, and able to talk. If not, it can be helpful to explore why, especially if being open is challenging in other parts of your life. Sometimes feeling safe enough, even with a bit of challenge, can indicate a good fit.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
A consultation is the best way to see if we are a good fit. It is a low-pressure meeting where you can ask questions and get a sense of my approach. I will ask briefly about what brings you in to ensure I can help. A good fit includes feeling enough trust and safety to be open in the work. I will support you in choosing what is right for you and will not take it personally if you prefer another therapist. I am happy to offer referrals if you would like additional options.
What types of clients do you work with?
I work with individual adults and couples of all identities, beliefs, and life stages. I also provide supervision for therapists who are completing their required hours for licensure.
Do you offer groups?
I am not currently offering therapy groups, but I plan to start a role-playing therapy group in 2026. This will use a tabletop format (similar to Dungeons and Dragons, though likely a different system) to help you express parts of yourself that may be harder to access, practice collaboration in challenging situations, and build self-confidence. If this interests you, feel free to reach out and stay tuned for updates.
I am also starting a supervision group for Licensed Professional Counselor Associates and Marriage and Family Associates in Oregon. Please contact me if you would like more information.
Do you meet in person?
I offer both in-person meetings at my office and virtual sessions. For virtual sessions, I utilize a secure and easy-to-access video platform.
How often do we meet?
Most individuals begin with weekly sessions, which provide consistency and support progress. As you make progress or if scheduling requires it, we can meet less frequently. For more acute concerns, I may recommend meeting twice a week for a period of time.
For couples, starting every other week can be an option depending on your needs and availability.
How long will I be in therapy?
The length of therapy looks different for everyone, and you ultimately decide how long you want to continue. Some people see meaningful change within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term work. Some clients continue meetings for growth. Planning for at least ten sessions gives you enough time to get a real sense of how the work is progressing. I will check in with you regularly, and I encourage you to do the same as we track your progress.
What are some of the benefits and risks of counseling?
It is important to consider that therapy is a process and meaningful change often takes time. It is common for stress or difficult emotions to increase at first, especially when exploring longstanding issues. Sometimes things feel harder before they improve. If anything concerns you or feels challenging, I encourage you to talk with me so we can address it together.
Do you accept my insurance?
We currently are not paneled with private health insurance and cannot bill them as an in-network provider. This choice helps offer treatments that are appropriate without the limitations or risks that insurance companies often impose. NPR’s Weekend Edition has a helpful explanation in their segment, “Finding a therapist who takes your insurance can be nearly impossible. Here’s why””
If your plan offers out-of-network benefits, we provide a service that will navigate and maximize these benefits, so that you don’t have to navigate the maze. Reimbursement varies depending on your deductible, co-insurance, and allowed amount.
We do accept Medicaid through CareOregon/Healthshare. The panel is currently full, but you are welcome to reach out if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
What are my out-of-network insurance benefits?
If your plan offers out-of-network benefits, we provide a service that will navigate and maximize these benefits, so that you don’t have to navigate the maze. This service offloads most of the burden of verifying and submitting claims! Reimbursement varies depending on your deductible, co-insurance, and allowed amount. Frequently, utilizing out-of-network benefits can provide substantial reimbursement, while giving much more freedom in choosing a provider. If you want to check your benefits, the form below can give you an instant estimate.
(If you receive an error, please reach out we will provide an estimate of your benefits.)
Can I post online about my therapy experience?
Posting a review of my services is your right as a client and it is entirely up to you to decide whether you wish to write a review. But I gently discourage clients from posting reviews of my practice for the reasons below.
1. The American Counseling Association’s Ethics Code states that it is unethical for counselors to solicit testimonials: Section C.3.b. “Counselors who use testimonials do not solicit them from current clients, former clients, or any other persons who may be vulnerable to undue influence. Counselors discuss with clients the implications of and obtain permission for the use of any testimonial.” Since you may decide to return to therapy with me at a later date, I do not request testimonials from people who have ended therapy with me.
2. Unlike other business owners who may respond to their reviews, as a counselor, I must provide confidentiality to my clients. This means I am restricted from responding in any way that acknowledges whether someone has been in my care.
3. If we work together, I hope we can discuss your feelings about our work directly and in person. This may not always feel comfortable, but discussion of your positive and negative reactions to our work can be an important part of your therapy. If we are not a good match, I’m always happy to help you find a therapist who better suits you.
4. If you do write something about my practice, note that this is a public forum. To preserve your privacy, consider using a pseudonym that is not linked to your regular email address or friend networks.
5. If you believe that I (or any licensed mental health professional) have done something harmful, consider contacting your state licensing board to make a formal complaint. This may protect other consumers of therapy services. Be aware that details of your therapy may come up if there is a formal investigation.