Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

The first step for a new client is to contact me and let me know what you’d like to work on. We can then set up a free 15-20 minute consultation. During the consultation, I’ll check to make sure that your needs are within my scope of practice, that our schedules will align, and that my fee works for you. We’ll talk a bit about what brings to you therapy, how I work, and how we might work together. If we choose to work together after the consultation, I’ll send over the paperwork that I’ll need you to complete and we’ll schedule our first session thereafter.

How long is each session?

Each session is 50 minutes long. The only exception is the initial intake session, in which we discuss your background at length. The initial intake session is 60 minutes long. Sessions generally start on the hour.

Do I have to have weekly sessions?

With therapy, it’s recommended that you have weekly sessions for at least the first 3-4 weeks. After that, we can decide what makes the most sense for you. I see most of my clients weekly, but some I see every other week, and some I see as needed.

How much is each session?

Each 50 minute session is $150/session. (The initial intake is $180 and is 60 minutes.) Sliding scale may be available, depending on availability and need. I do not accept insurance, but I’m happy to provide a receipt or superbill for services if needed.

Where are you located?

Currently, I am seeing clients via telehealth (video or phone) only.

Do I have to be in Oregon to see you?

I practice in both Oregon and Washington, so you’ll need to be in one of those states during our sessions.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

The initial sessions will consist of me getting to know you to better understand your experiences. I’ll begin each session by asking where you’d like to start. From there, we’ll start exploring what’s most present for you. Each session will look different, depending on what you’d like to explore. My goal is for you to bring yourself to session, whatever that looks like in the moment. You’re welcome to bring any emotion or thought to session that is coming up for you or some days you might be feeling numb and not feeling many emotions at all.

Will you give me homework?

Sometimes it might be helpful for you to think about certain things or practice certain behaviors between sessions and so I may suggest it. Sometimes it might be helpful to do more structured activities between sessions and so I may suggest those. We’ll talk about what might be meaningful for you - and what’s workable for you.

Are my sessions confidential?

What you choose to share with me will be kept confidential, except in such instances as described below. Outside of these exceptions, I will not share with anyone the fact that you are in counseling or any information you have shared with me without your express written permission. In the case that you do provide a release of information, please know that you may revoke that permission at any time.

Please be aware that as a mandated reporter, there are some things that I am legally unable to keep confidential. Additionally, there are some situations that will require me to break confidentiality out of concern for your safety, the safety of others, or my own. These include the following:

·       If I determine that you intend to harm yourself or someone else;

·     If I am subpoenaed or ordered by a court to disclose information about you;

·       If I am made aware of any actual or suspected child abuse (including domestic violence that occurs in the presence of a child), elder abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult; or

·       If you file a legal suit against me.

Should we be faced with a situation such as those listed above, I will make every effort to notify you prior to disclosing any information about you. I encourage you to share with me any concerns you have regarding confidentiality at any point in time in our work together.

How can I communicate with you outside of session?

If you need to reach me outside of session, you can call, email, or text me, or you can log into the client portal and send me a secure message. Additionally, you can click on the “Contact Me” button at the top of the page and send me a message there.

Please understand that there are risks associated with sending and receiving communications by non-secure means (unencrypted email and/or SMS text messaging). Communications may be intercepted by unintended parties (e.g. if you indicate that you would like to receive text message reminders of appointments, a message may pop up on your cell phone and be visible to someone else). The messaging system through the client portal is a secure way of sending communications.

What if I’m late or can’t attend a session?

Please let me know if you’ll be late or won’t be able to attend a session. If you’re more than 15 minutes late and I haven’t heard from you, I’ll assume you won’t be attending, your session will be canceled for that day, and you’ll be billed for the session. If you’re less than 15 minutes late, our session will continue as usual, but will need to still end at the designated time so that I can ensure other client appointments aren’t affected.

I require a 24-hour notice for cancellations or rescheduled appointments to avoid being charged for the session. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged in full for the session.

What if I’m in crisis between sessions?

In the event of a mental health emergency, please call the Multnomah County Crisis Line at (503) 988-4888, or call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.

Occasionally, you may need support from me in-between sessions. If this is the case, please call my voicemail at (503) 433-3345 and leave a confidential message. I will aim to return your phone call within 24 hours, but cannot guarantee my availability. Should you be in a crisis and I am not available, please use the numbers above or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. When I am available, short phone check-ins of 15 minutes or less are offered free of charge. Calls requiring more than 15 minutes will be billed on a prorated basis.

Didn’t you used to do career coaching?

Yes, I have over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources and Career Coaching and incorporated career coaching into my practice when it started. My focus is now primarily on mental health therapy, though if you’re a current therapy client and need help with career coaching, I can provide that on a limited basis. I’m no longer seeing clients only for career coaching.