Welcome:
You have taken an important step in choosing to seek professional counseling. Please take the time to read this document thoroughly. It contains important information about my professional services and business policies as well as your rights as a client.

Treatment Philosophy:
Many people turn to counseling when some aspect of their life is not functioning to their satisfaction. The therapeutic process is a collaborative one and is most successful when both the client and therapist are equally involved during the course of treatment. Given the uniqueness of each individual situation, I do not operate from a pre-determined course of treatment or specific theoretical model. Instead, through our work together, the issues you struggle with along with your strengths and skills will become clear. As our relationship develops, I will pull from my education and experience to find the best tools and modalities to help you meet your treatment goals.

Duration:
My approach to your treatment and the length of your therapy will depend upon your particular needs and goals. Duration of therapy can vary from several sessions to several months.

Methods:
Primarily, our sessions will involve face-to-face interaction. Occasionally, I may offer additional strategies such as providing educational information, in-session exercises or homework assignments that I feel may be beneficial in overcoming barriers to growth.

There may be occasions during your course of treatment where I need to seek outside consultation or refer you to another professional. Should this need arise, I will discuss it with you and if needed, help you to find a suitable provider. It is important that you recognize your responsibility to choose a provider that best suits your needs. If you decide that another therapist or type of therapies might serve you better at any time during our work together, I will, upon your request, use the best of my abilities to refer you to a suitable provider in your community.

Education and Experience:
I received my Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle in 1995. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, #LH00005738 in Washington State, and have been providing psychotherapy services for the past 23 years in a variety of settings. I continue to add to my education through on-going courses of study in areas relevant to working with individuals, couples and groups.

Confidentiality:
It is important in the therapeutic process that you feel safe to discuss private issues freely. For that reason, I will not discuss your care with anyone without your consent. If you want me to release information about your participation in therapy - to your insurance provider, another healthcare provider, or perhaps a family member - I will require that you sign a Release of Information consent form.

Although it is my practice and ethical duty to protect your personal information, there exist the following legal exceptions to your confidentiality:

  • As mentioned above, if you give written authorization to release information.

  • In the event of a medical emergency, emergency personnel or service providers may be given necessary information to care for you.

  • If it becomes known or suspected that a child, elder or vulnerable adult has been or is being abused or his/her well-being is threatened by neglect, the proper authorities must be notified.

  • If it becomes known, or it can be reasonable assumed that you intend to harm yourself or someone else, action may be taken to intervene without your consent.

  • If ordered by a judge or other judicial officers, information regarding your treatment may be disclosed.

  • If an attorney in the State of Washington subpoenas records, they will be released unless you file a protection order within 14 days of the subpoena.

  • If you bring a complaint against me with the State of Washington Department of Health, information will be released to address the complaint.

  • In the event of your death or disability, a Personal Representative or beneficiary of an insurance policy on your life may sign a release authorizing disclosure.

Digital Communications:

Please be advised that texting and regular emails are not HIPAA encrypted. If you choose to use these methods to reach me, it is with your understanding that they could be accessed by third parties without your permission. Emails submitted through this website platform are encrypted to HIPAA standards.
I pick up emails as my schedule permits, therefore this is not a good way contact me in an urgent situation. It will be more effective for you to leave me a voicemail. However, email can be good for other types of communications. I travel often and work remotely from various time zones. For that reason, I may not be able to respond to your email for up to 48 hours. Please know that all emails you send will be printed out and placed in your file.

Ethics and Professional Standards:
As a therapist, I am committed to following the code of ethics as defined by the American Counseling Association and the professional standards of the Washington State Counseling Licensing Law (WAC 246-809 and RCW 18.225). These documents are available for review on the official website for the Washington State Department of Health - www.doh.wa.gov.

Fees:
I charge $175 USD per 60-minute hour. In certain financial circumstances, I may be willing to apply a sliding scale. This will be addressed on a case by case basis.

There is a $75 charge for last minute (less than 24 hours) cancellations unless you are able to reschedule your appointment in the same week. Please note that this is not always possible as my schedule is often quite full. This fee is non-negotiable and not covered by insurance.

For those clients not using insurance, you will be required to pay in full for each session at the time of service. I accept all major credit/debit cards as well as checks received in advance of your session.

Emergencies:
Should you experience an emotional crisis, you may try to reach me by phone but I cannot promise to be available at times other than our scheduled sessions. If I am unavailable you may call the 24 hour Crisis Line at 1-866-427-4747. For immediate assistance, you may go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911.

Agreement to Participate in Services:
If you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please discuss them with me prior to your first session. Your electronic signature on the client intake form serves as confirmation that you have read and agreed to the policies above and accept responsibility for payment of fees in accordance with these terms and conditions.