Here are answers to common therapy questions.
How do I get started?
Easiest way is to schedule a consultation. The free 20-minute consultation is a low-pressure chance for us to meet, talk through your questions, and get a feel for my approach. It is an opportunity to see if we’re a good match. Sessions are available via telehealth or by phone.
If you are ready to talk, I welcome you to schedule a consultation or reach out through my contact page.
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?
A Role-Playing Game Therapy group for adults is currently forming. This group uses tabletop role-playing games in the tradition of Dungeons and Dragons to practice new ways of relating, manage stress and anxiety, and build social confidence and belonging. Spots are limited. If this interests you, I invite you to visit the Role-Playing Game Therapy page to learn more or get on the list.
I am also forming a supervision group for Licensed Professional Counselor Associates and Marriage and Family Therapist Associates in Oregon. The group begins once four members are ready. Please contact me if you would like more information.
Do you meet in person?
Yes. I offer in-person sessions at my Portland office and secure video sessions for telehealth. The video platform I use is easy to access and HIPAA-compliant.
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 beyond their initial goals for ongoing 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 reflect on your own progress as we go.
What are some of the benefits and risks of counseling?
Therapy can be both meaningful and challenging. Meaningful change often takes time, and it is common for stress or difficult emotions to increase at first, especially when exploring longstanding patterns. Sometimes things feel harder before they improve. If anything concerns you or feels challenging along the way, I encourage you to bring it up so we can address it together.
Do you accept insurance?
I am not paneled with private health insurance and cannot bill as an in-network provider. This allows me to offer treatments that are clinically appropriate without the limitations insurance companies often impose. NPR’s Weekend Edition produced a helpful segment on why finding an in-network therapist can be so difficult if you would like to understand more about this landscape.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, I offer a courtesy billing service that handles the verification and submission process so you do not have to navigate it alone. Reimbursement varies depending on your deductible, co-insurance, and allowed amount, but out-of-network benefits can make therapy significantly more affordable. You can check your benefits using the form below. If you receive an error, please reach out and I will help you get that information directly.
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 is entirely your right as a client and I leave that decision up to you. That said, I gently discourage it for a few reasons.
The American Counseling Association’s Ethics Code states that it is unethical for counselors to solicit testimonials from current or former clients. Because you may choose to return to therapy with me at some point, I do not request reviews from people who have ended our work together.
As a licensed counselor, I am also bound by confidentiality. Unlike other business owners, I cannot respond to reviews in any way that acknowledges whether someone has been in my care, which puts me in an awkward position publicly.
If you have feelings about our work, I hope we can explore them together in session. Both positive and negative reactions to therapy can be meaningful and worth discussing. If we are not a good fit, I am always glad to help you find someone who suits you better.
If you do choose to write something, consider using a pseudonym not linked to your regular accounts to protect your own privacy. And if you believe I or any licensed mental health professional has acted harmfully, I encourage you to contact the Oregon licensing board to file a formal complaint. This helps protect other clients and is the appropriate channel for serious concerns.