What if I'm new to therapy?
If this is your first time trying therapy, I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to start this process. I am happy to answer your questions and I seek to make people feel as safe as possible with the process. The first step is to schedule a consultation with the providers with whom you feel you would be comfortable. Then, you can decide who feels like the best fit for you. After that, you can get scheduled for your intake appointment. Most people require a lot of paperwork to complete before your first appointment. At your intake appointment, a therapist will ask you questions about your life history such as what brings you to therapy, how long you have experienced what concerns you, family and relationship history, health history, trauma history, and substance use history. You are welcome to ask me any questions about the therapy process in general or my process specifically. Each provider has their own particular style of how they start with a new client.
Do you work with people of other cultures?
Yes, I work with many clients who are from different races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, and systems of belief. I seek to tailor my approach based on where each client is coming from and I try to learn what I can about cultures and religions of which I am unfamiliar. I have lived in various parts of the US as well as the UK and Japan and enjoy learning about ways of being that are different from my German American experience. I attend regular multicultural trainings as part of my continuing education requirements as an LPC in Oregon. With this said, no matter how much I may try to be a safe place for anyone, sometimes a person feels they need someone from their own cultural, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious background and that is personal to each person. This could be the case with experiences of racial trauma or hate crimes in which a person only feels comfortable working with someone from their own background. Having a consultation with me can help you determine whether you would feel comfortable working with me.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently accept Moda, Providence, Pacificsource (both commercial and OHP), and Regence BCBS. If I do not take your insurance, I am happy to provide a Statement for Insurance Reimbursement (Superbill) for services that are paid out of pocket; however, reimbursement is not guaranteed. It is encouraged to check with your insurance to see if they reimburse for out of network mental health services. I sometimes bill for car accident claims, crime victim compensation, and workers compensation.
How much do you charge if I am paying out of pocket?
For private pay, I currently charge $180 per 50-minute appointment and $200 per 75-minute appointment. I take cash, check, or card (including HSA and FSA cards).
How do you handle paperwork?
Most of my paperwork is completed online unless someone specically requests to use paper. Once I schedule an intake appointment, I will have SimplePractice (the Electronic Health Record I use) send a link to a new client's e-mail address that gives access to a secure client portal where they complete all the necessary paperwork. After the intake appointment, I sometimes send additional forms to sign or assessments to complete. When I work with clients solely through telehealth, everything is sent electronically including treatment plans and Good Faith Estimates.
Do you do video or phone appointments?
I provide both video and phone appointments. For consultations, I require either a video or in person appointment. It is important to be able to see how a person interacts with me in order to know whether I would feel comfortable working with them. Once I start therapy with a client, they can choose video, phone, or in person appointments. Most people prefer in person or video appointments.
How long does EMDR take?
I get this question and it is difficult to give a definite answer because the process looks different for every person. The first 3 appointments are just laying the groundwork for the therapeutic relationship. Some people have many memories that feel disturbing and need to be processed, whereas others may just have 1 or 2 memories. For one memory, some people have 6 or more sessions from the beginning of therapy until the end of treatment. If there are many memories. the process may take a few years. Some people want to work on boundaries, calming skills, or other aspects of the treatment process in-between processing memories. It is up to each person to determine what they want from therapy, what their needs are, and how willing they are to explore deeper levels of healing.
How long have you been doing EMDR Therapy?
I was trained in early 2019 and have been practicing for over 4 years now. I started my private practice in the Fall of 2019. I have been a therapist for 6 years.
Does EMDR work for everyone?
It has been my experience that if a person is willing to participate in EMDR Therapy, they will notice shifts in their experience even if they do not process every memory or choose to end treatment before meeting their goals. Some people feel they need to understand the process more before starting, so I may explain more in-depth about how EMDR therapy works on a neurobiological level in those cases. Others may have a lot of dissociation and need to feel more connected and safe in their bodies before processing memories. I work together with each client to approach EMDR from a place where they feel as safe as possible with the process.
Can I bring my child with me to therapy?
My office does not support kids walking around or playing with the decorations in my office. I sometimes allow a client to bring one child if the child is able to sit calmly next to the client on the couch with headphones while watching a screen or playing an electronic game. EMDR Therapy specifically takes a lot of focus; therefore, distractions will hinder the process. It is typically in a person's best interest to come alone so they can be able to fully focus on their healing process and what brings them to therapy.