Frequently Asked Questions
When I am working with an individual the conversations that take place are different than those that occur in couple’s therapy. The focus can be solely on that person’s unique history and reasons for entering into therapy.
Conversely, when working with a couple I regard their relationship as my client so the focus is on both the internal landscape of each partner and how this is expressed in the relationship.
Working with blended families is something near and dear to my heart. There are stressors unique to families spanning multiple households. Among them are loyalty binds and the delicate and sometimes messy process of forming a new family entity that includes the new members. I find that working with the couple is the most effective way to go as their relationship forms the hub of the wheel around which all else that is within their sphere of influence turns.
As a member of the tribe myself, I have some first-hand appreciation for the challenges faced by men at home and in the workplace. Therapy dealing with relationships is often focused on joining with my client to help flesh out a clear vision of how he wants to be as a partner in his relationships. Therapy dealing with workplace situations involves having a safe place to talk through issues and consider ways to effect change when possible and cope effectively when not.
I find that the ACT modality briefly described on the home page to be generally effective in the treatment of depression insofar as the root cause of the depression is situational such as found in circumstances of divorce or death of a loved one. However, there are cases where mindfulness practices and talk therapy are not going to be effective in and of themselves. For example, where physiological conditions such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder exist.
I find that the ACT modality briefly described on the home page to be generally effective in the treatment of anxiety, absent any underlying physiological causes. Anxiety is experienced in the body, but we get stuck when we try to deal with it in our head. Ineffective coping strategies include trying to talk ourself out of our feelings even as we perseverate about all the ways things can go wrong. Therapy for anxiety replaces unhelpful thought and behavior patterns with ones that help quiet the fire alarm bells going off in our minds.
Iv’e held a number of occupations throughout the course of my life in both small business and corporate environments. Along the way I was fortunate to have the opportunity to shift into something more fitting of my temperament and talents as I returned to school to pursue a graduate degree, graduating from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Seattle Pacific University in 2009 and have been in private practice ever since.
It begins with prospective clients reaching out to me expressing interest in my services. If I seem to be a potential fit a Zoom visit is scheduled to discuss the issues at hand and possible treatment options. During this visit we also get a sense of fit, which is an important factor.
I am not seeing clients in person during the pandemic and while there is an indoor mandate in effect. I very much look forward to resuming my work in-person when I can view not only the entire face but the entire person (just like in the good ole days!)
My fee for private pay clients is $135 per hour ($165 for initial session).
I am currently a provider for Aetna, Premera, Lifewise, and First Choice insurance companies. I also see clients through the Wellspring Family Services EAP.
Yes, if I am covered as a provider to your plan I will submit claims on your behalf. Otherwise I provide a receipt for client to seek reimbursement.
In this circumstance you would be a private pay client. Some policies offer coverage to see out-of-network providers with an increased co-payment. I provide receipts for clients who wish to seek reimbursement from insurance companies with which I am not contracted.
Most insurance policies do not cover couple’s therapy so my work with couples tends to be on a private-pay basis. If you wish to check whether your benefits include couple therapy you can contact your insurance company and give them the following information used to the determine eligibility of a claim: Procedure code – 90847 and Diagnostic code – Z63.0.
