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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect in the first session?

The first session is our opportunity to get to know one another. It’s unlike any other therapy session in that there will be a lot of information to review and go over, all to make sure we are a good match and that we are starting on the same page over the course of our work together. After our initial session, we’ll continue to refine a plan for treatment and begin to develop a rhythm of familiarity.

Are you taking new clients?

You are always welcome to contact me about availability. Even if I am full, I will more than likely add you to my waiting list or provide you with appropriate referrals for other providers who may be a good match and have current openings.

How long is therapy?

The therapeutic hour is approximately 50 minutes. This is to respect both of our boundaries and needs as we transition out of the therapy session. For some this might feel short, for others long. Part of my role is to help create a safe container for our work, and it’s important to know what the duration of that space is ahead of time.

The trajectory of our work together may be shorter or longer depending on the goals we establish during our initial intake. However, I tend to recommend weekly sessions and have found that most clients benefit from attending therapy long term. It also usually takes a few sessions before we start to get into the rhythm of therapy and determining whether this is a good fit.

What is a free consultation call?

You are welcome to communicate with me by phone or email before officially making an investment into your therapy. The consultation call or email is an opportunity for you to let me know a bit more about what you are hoping for, ask any questions you might have, and for both of us to see if this seems like it could be a good match.

Do you accept insurance?

Unfortunately, I am only private pay at this time. However, I am hoping to get credentialed/in-network with a few commercial insurance companies as well as OHP/medicaid in order to broaden the network of folks I get to work with. Stay tuned for updates!

It is always best practice to reach out to your insurance plan to verify coverage before starting services and assuming they will be covered. Common questions you might find helpful to ask include:
Does my plan include mental health benefits?
Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have?
Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

Do you offer virtual therapy sessions?

Yes! I offer secure telehealth sessions for folks who prefer the convenience of online appointments.

Is therapy confidential?

Absolutely. I believe confidentiality is an essential part of the process. It’s the comfort of knowing that your story, your life, and your feelings will be held and honored without judgement and consequence. Exceptions to this include any possible risks of harm to self or others. During our initial appointment, I am happy to review this in further detail.

What do we actually do during session?

I get asked this all the time – we all have different ideas either from television or from lack of personal experience about what happens in the therapy room. Although it varies from person to person, my primary suggestion is for you to simply practice being open with yourself, trusting that whatever thoughts, feelings, questions, or discomforts might be popping up in the days leading up to your appointment are likely a wonderful window for us to look through and talk about together. I believe the more we practice and build trust together, the more natural our sessions will feel.

Depending on what focus of treatment feels appropriate, I also tend to sprinkle in some psychoeducation, mindfulness or somatic-based skills, structured activities, playful and conversational interventions, and more, all for the underlying purpose of getting us closer to the heart of your experience. If you ever have questions or suggestions about how we are using our time, I welcome the conversation.

Helpful Information

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You get the estimate when you schedule care in advance or if you ask for one.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill. You are welcome to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate and bill. Feel free to read more information here.

Safety & Crisis Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help immediately (I am not an adequate support for an emergency or crisis).

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Multnomah County Crisis Line: 503-988-4888
Clackamas County Crisis Line: 503-655-8585
Washington County Crisis Line: 503-291-9111
Lines For Life Oregon Behavioral Health Support: call 1-800-923-4357
Oregon Youth Line: 1-877-968-8491 (text “teen2teen” at 839863)
Trans Lifeline (staffed by trans/non-binary folx): (877) 565-8860
The Trevor Project: call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678
Native Crisis Text Line: Text “Native” to 741741
Alcohol & Drug Helpline: 800-923-4357
Call to Safety (for domestic abuse): call or text 503-235-5333

You can also call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Practice Policies

*Practice policies are further outlined when completing initial intake paperwork and discussed during the initial intake session. Here is a brief overview of general policies:
Cancellation Policy – Individualized therapy sessions are an investment and well worth the time and commitment we both put into this work. That being said, life happens, and I am more than happy to work with you to adjust our schedule as needed. Preferably, we will be able to discuss this with advance notice and reschedule our time within the same week of the scheduled appointment. If this is not possible, I ask that I receive a cancellation notice no later than 24 hours before our schedule appointment time. Otherwise, the appointment is subject to being charged the full rate of service.

Communications – You may reach me by phone, email., or encrypted messaging through the client portal. I work Monday-Thursday during standard business hours, and may not respond immediately. I do not provide 24 hour crisis response. I do my best to respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours.

Client Portal

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