Frequently asked questions

Call or send a message for a free phone consultation. We talk briefly about what is going on, I answer your questions, and we check your insurance. If we are a good fit, we book a first appointment.

The first session is about getting to know each other. I ask about your history, what brought you to therapy and what you hope will change, and you can ask me anything about how I work. When the client is a child aged 3 to 12, the first session is usually with the parents only. For teens, a parent usually joins for part of it. Nothing difficult has to be discussed before you are ready.

I have a few openings at the moment. When I am full, I keep a waiting list and call you when a space opens.

My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm. We find a time that works for you on the phone. I usually reply to new messages within 24 hours on weekdays.

That is fine, and it is worth knowing early. If I am not the right person for what you need, I will tell you honestly and help you think about next steps.

Most clients come weekly, and we can adjust how often we meet as things change.

It depends on what you are working on. Some approaches, like Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, follow a set structure. Others are more open-ended. We review progress together regularly and decide what makes sense.

Yes, for teens, adults and parent sessions anywhere in Oregon. In-person sessions are at my office in King City, near Tigard, and children aged 3 to 12 usually do best in person in the playroom. Read more about telehealth.

Children from about age 3, teens, adults and families. Children 3 to 12 usually work with me through play therapy; teens and adults through conversation, using CBT and mindfulness.

Yes. I check in with parents regularly, share themes and progress, and suggest ways to support your child at home.

I explain how confidentiality works to you and your child at the start, including what I share with parents, what stays private so your child can trust the space, and when the law permits or requires me to act or report.

Yes. About half of the people I see are adults, with anxiety, low mood, trauma, grief and life changes, including later life. Read more about counseling for adults.

It is a way of working with trauma that pays attention to the body as well as thoughts and memories: noticing sensations, grounding and settling the stress response at a pace that feels safe. I am certified in Somatic Trauma Therapy. Read more about somatic trauma therapy.

Yes, with limited exceptions permitted or required by law, such as a serious risk of harm or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. I explain these fully at the beginning of our work together.

Yes. I accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) through CareOregon / Health Share of Oregon, Trillium, Yamhill CCO and PacificSource Community Solutions, and Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Providence and Moda. Call me with your plan details and I will check before your first session. See insurance and fees.

You can pay for sessions yourself, and you can ask for a Good Faith Estimate of costs before your first session.

The words are often used interchangeably, and I use both for the same work. I hold a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon.

No. Psychologists hold a doctoral degree and a psychology license, and some provide assessments I do not offer. As a counselor, I provide therapy for children, teens, adults and families.

I cannot respond to emergencies. Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call the Washington County Crisis Line at 503-291-9111, or call 911.