Frequently Asked Questions
Payment & Insurance
Are you in network with any insurance companies?
At this time I am not in network with any insurance companies. I know this limits my ability to meet with everyone who might like to connect! The reasons for this are many, but I’m committed to keeping individual counseling accessible. If you have concerns about the fee for sessions, please contact me to inquire about sliding scale availability.
Can you help with out-of-network reimbursement?
Yes! I am happy to provide a superbill for any counseling appointments. These contain all the relevant information for your insurance company to consider a claim. The first step is to check with your insurance company to see if they are willing to help. Please note that I am unable to guarantee reimbursement for services upfront.
Taking this step bring extra considerations for your external medical record. Let’s talk to make sure we’ve explored them.
Can I use my HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flex savings account) card to pay for counseling?
Yes! HSA and FSA cards can be added as a form of payment in the secure client portal.
Can you provide me with a receipt or statement to use for my HSA or FSA program?
Absolutely. Receipts will be automatically generated and sent out after each session. If more is required, please contact me using the client portal or talk to me during our next appointment so we can ensure you have all the information needed.
What type of payment is accepted?
The fee is payable by debit or credit card. You will be asked to save a card on file after joining the secure client portal and signing the consent for electronic payment. If you need to change the card on file, you can do so any time in the secure client portal.
Payment for counseling sessions will automatically be debited from your preferred payment method within 24-hours of the appointment’s completion.
Appointments & Scheduling
How often will we meet for therapy?
Counseling appointments are scheduled at the same day and time on a recurring basis either weekly or every other week. This ensures we have a guaranteed time to connect and make progress towards your counseling goals. Virtual (telehealth) counseling is available through a HIPAA-compliant secure client portal. Limited in-person appointments are available at my office in SE Portland.
For those whose schedules don’t allow for regular recurring appointments or for those who would like to meet more or less frequently for therapy, let’s meet for a free consultation or contact me so we can be sure I have the availability to meet your scheduling needs.
What is the cancellation policy?
I ask that all counseling appointments be cancelled or rescheduled at least 24-hours before their scheduled start time. Appointments may be cancelled by contacting me directly via the secure messaging portal. In the event there are numerous cancellations during a regularly scheduled time, I may ask we explore a new time to meet or consider a different scheduling option.
How long are counseling appointments?
Intake sessions are regularly 90-minutes. After the first session, in most cases all counseling appointments are 50-minutes long, but may be extended upon request.
Why would we meet online for counseling?
Virtual therapy (teletherapy) is convenient, comfortable and can be just as effective as in-person counseling. For many, it is a more convenient and accessible way to attend regular sessions from the comfort of their own home or another location that’s private. All virtual counseling sessions are held via a safe and secure video platform. They can be joined from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Please note: You must be in Oregon to meet for virtual therapy.
The Therapy Process
I’ve never been to a counselor or talked to anyone like this before. How do I start?
I know considering therapy can be an intimidating process. I recommend starting with a free consultation. This is a great opportunity for us to briefly meet one another and for me to answer any questions you might have. I want you to feel empowered with information and a chance to connect before deciding whether to move forward with counseling.
If you know you’re ready to begin, please email me and let’s find a time to schedule an appointment. I also recommend taking a moment to review What to Expect.
How long does therapy last?
Great question. It depends! Therapy can last for a few months to several years. This varies largely depending on your goals, needs, and preferences.
My approach means I’m a better fit for those who are looking for a medium to longer-term therapist. We may set some shorter-term goals, but those who are looking for a more solutions-based counseling approach or time-limited form of therapy might align better with a different counselor. If I’m not able to help, let’s talk about some referrals.
Despite that, I know therapy is expensive. It’s important to me we make active progress towards your goals. Attending therapy consistently and showing up with a willingness to be vulnerable and explore parts of yourself and your experience will help keep the process moving.
After meeting their original therapy goals, some folks take a break. Others set additional goals or they find they enjoy the regular time to tend to themselves or their relationships and may continue meeting for longer. If you’d like to talk more about what counseling might look like specifically, please feel free to schedule a free consultation.
What should I expect for the first appointment? Is it different?
The first full appointment is an intake session, and it looks different from many others. In addition to being slightly longer (often 90-minutes instead of 50), this meeting is the first chance for us to start getting to know one another. I will ask more questions and talk more in this session than I will moving forward.
During the intake we will begin to explore different areas identified during our consultation or in your new client paperwork. This means we may not be able to dig as deeply into various areas during this first meeting, but we will identify the areas that feel most pressing to start with.