About

I want you to know that there is help available to cope with the feelings and experiences life creates. Talking with someone who allows you to fully express yourself often leads to different ways of interpreting and being in the world that provide relief and joy. Whatever it is that is weighing on you- whether it be difficult moods, feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, states of transition, feeling like something is missing, wanting to learn more about yourself or your relationships, or something else- together we can try to make sense of it. Things can and do get better!

I have over twenty years experience practicing clinical social work (post graduate school) for a wide variety of issues and age groups. My previous experience includes working with emotionally and behaviorally disturbed youth, facilitating a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills group, assisting families and individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, helping individuals process and overcome traumatic experiences, supervising an evidence-based therapeutic foster care program, and working as a Functional Family Therapist.

Choosing a Provider

I work with people on all kinds of issues and welcome any questions you may like to ask about counseling, coaching, or me before scheduling a session. I offer a free telephone or email consultation if you would like to discuss your interest in more detail.

Choosing a provider that feels right to you is absolutely essential. Likewise, I will want to make sure that your needs and my expertise are a good fit. My goal is to help you get what you need out of sessions, even if what you need is a referral to another provider or agency who specializes in a particular area or with someone whom you feel a stronger connection. It usually takes between one to three sessions for me to get enough information, and for you to get a good feel for me, for us to decide if we are a good fit.

Length of Sessions and Our Work Together

Sessions are traditionally 50 minutes long. This allows enough time in-between clients for me to schedule your next appointment and write my notes. If you are a couple or family (or you would like the extra time individually), you may wish to have a longer session. If you choose to, we can schedule an 80 or 105 minute sessions.

The length of our work together depends on what you are seeking. If you want fast resolutions to your situation, we can work in a style that is more short-term and goal focused. Others prefer to delve into the nature and roots of what’s bothering them in search of a deeper catharsis. And still others come to counseling for a mixture of both.

Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents are often in need of someone to whom they can confide and sort through their feelings. I offer counseling services that are geared toward youth that include art therapy and therapeutic games, in addition to talk therapy. Know that if you are an adolescent working with me that the details of our conversations are confidential and will not be shared with anyone, including your parents. However, if I feel that you are being abused, if your safety is compromised, or you are a danger to someone else, I am obligated to share this information in order to keep you safe.

Couples and Families

Couples and family counseling can be a wonderful way to create or restore a meaningful connection to those closest to you. Having a therapist help interpret and facilitate communication can clear a path for difficult issues to be worked through.

Confidentiality

Information shared during a counseling session is considered confidential under HIPPA (the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act). However, there are some exceptions when your privacy is not protected by me that you should know about.

All information will be held confidential and privileged unless the psychotherapist has suspicion that I (client) have neglected or abused a child (including minors witnessing domestic violence), a senior citizen or a disabled person, in which case a report will be made as required by law to the appropriate law enforcement and social welfare agencies.
All information will be held confidential and privileged unless I (client) report suicidal or homicidal ideation, intent or plan, in which case a report will be made as required by law to the appropriate law enforcement and social welfare agencies.
All information will be held confidential and privileged unless the psychotherapist has been subpoenaed by a court of law.
If I am utilizing insurance or EAP to assist in payment for my services, I agree by my signature below to allow my psychotherapist to release information in my record, including but not limited to: my history, condition, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan and treatment recommendations to insurance/EAP personnel involved in reviewing my case.
Other information may be released in accordance with the Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as described in this office’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

You have the legal right to have access to your therapy file. If requested, you will be provided with a professional summary. A professional summary includes: the dates of our sessions, our treatment goals, a summary of our sessions, and a synopsis of your progress in therapy. My detailed session notes are to help me process my thoughts and remain my legal property (though strictly confidential to no one but myself). Anyone seeking access to their file will be provided with a summary within 10 business days at the rate of $25 per report. Anyone else wishing to access your file will first need you to come into the office and sign a release permitting the release of your information.

At times I may run into clients in public that I am currently conducting counseling with or have seen in the past. Because I wish to maintain your privacy, I will not be the first to greet you in public. Should you wish to acknowledge my presence, you are welcome to.

Crisis and Emergencies

I do not assure availability at all times and the practice is not geared to the provision of emergency services. Should there be a psychiatric emergency and I am not readily available to assist you in making arrangements, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

In Kittitas County, you can also call the 24 Hour crisis line at 509-925-9861 or 509-925-4168