~ Balance ~ Connection ~ Hope ~

As of 2024, I am in network with some of the major insurance carriers and have applications pending with more.

I am in network with Aetna, Kaiser NW, PacificSource, Regence, and some plans with United Behavioral Health/United Healthcare. I contract with a third party allied healthcare business support provider to onboard clients using health insurance and process all insurance claims. 

Some insurance plans will cover out-of-network providers. In these instances, I can provide clients with the necessary documentation to submit for reimbursement to cover a portion of a client's out of pocket expenses (dependent on individual insurance plans). This service is available upon request.

Yes! There are a number of benefits to cash pay, even if you have insurance. Some individuals elect to not use insurance for the following reasons:​

• You have more freedom in choosing a counselor that is a good fit for you (no "in-network" worries)

• You can receive counseling services for needs that aren't "billable" to insurance, such as relationship concerns, communication needs, or a variety of other personal issues

• I will not be required to assign a mental health diagnosis that is a part of your medical record

• The total number of sessions and session frequency will not be dictated by your insurance company

• You will have more flexibility in creating your goals for counseling

It is common for some clinicians in private practice to charge reduced rates when taking private pay (not billing insurance). Administrative expenses are reduced when not billing insurance. Many licensed counselors charge a higher rate and bill insurance, but only a portion of their fee is paid by insurance companies. Lastly, making mental health services affordable to as many people as possible is a fundamental value that drives my business practice.

If you need to cancel a session, please do so at least 24 hours in advance, when possible. Sessions cancelled with less than 24-hour notice may be charged up to the full session rate, depending on the nature of the circumstances. You can phone me, text me, or email me about cancellation and rescheduling. Any notice is better than no notice, and no-shows more often result in an assessed fee than do late cancellations.

My counseling techniques and interventions vary, based on the best fit for your needs. I keep a primary focus on the quality of the relationship between counselor and client. Not only does this align with my beliefs about people and the healing power of relationship, studies show it is this factor over any other theory or technique that predicts "success" in counseling. Generally speaking, I use a holistic approach that aims to balance and/or strengthen the connection between the head (thinking and beliefs/values), the heart (feeling), the gut (the body), and, if the client so chooses, the soul (spirituality). I emphasize the influence of our thoughts and our ability to choose, the need for connection and meaning in our lives, the power of hope, and a focus on strengths. I hold all of this with the recognition that outside factors beyond our control affect our circumstances.

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For other professionals or potential clients looking for more technical terms of what I described above, I aim to be first and foremost client-centered, and approach the therapeutic relationship from an attachment perspective. I use a trauma-informed approach. My primary theoretical orientation is Contemporary Adlerian Theory, which integrates well with a variety of other interventions and techniques. I often incorporate themes and tools from Third Wave Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, Psychoeducation, Neuropsychology, Family Systems Theory, and Narrative Therapy.

There are several terms for providing counseling services electronically: virtual therapy, teletherapy, telehealth services, distance counseling, video therapy, online counseling, etc. When the COVID-19 shutdowns began in March 2020, I was feeling uncertain about offering services virtually. While I had participated in a basic telehealth training, it hadn't interested me. I was concerned that the Client-Counselor connection would be difficult to establish and maintain, and that counseling might be ineffective. 

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After years now in a virtual setting, I can tell you that I was wrong. The majority of my clients report that teletherapy is effective. Just as happens in-person, we establish a relationship, we work together, and progress happens. It takes some getting used to (and some patience with technical glitches). The majority of my current clients prefer to stay in virtual services and recent studies show that the vast majority of people prefer it. That being said, teletherapy is not for everyone. There are some circumstances where teletherapy is not beneficial or not possible. If you are uncertain or doubtful, but are open to the possibility of teletherapy, please contact me. We can try it out via a free consultation, or I can try to answer any questions you may have on initial inquiry.

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I am a born and raised Oregonian, and prefer the open spaces of the countryside over the buzz of the city. Some of my interests include gardening, cooking, health and wellness, reading historical fiction, watching college football, camping and the outdoors, and compelling TV series. I am a wife and a mom. I enjoy time with others, hanging out with my dog, as well as time alone. 

I grew up in the Christian tradition. I have found my faith to be both the foundation and the driving force behind my love for people and my desire to provide acceptance, compassion, and understanding to each person I enounter in my counseling work.

While my personal faith is an important part of my life, I recognize that there are a multitude of perspectives within and outside of the Christian faith. I combine this personal perspective with my professional ethical responsibility to not impose my beliefs on others as well as honor the beliefs of my clients. It is for these reasons that I leave the option of spiritual integration up to you. Some people want to incorporate aspects of their spiritual life into counseling, while others (whether or not they have a spiritual tradition or practices) choose to leave it out. I ask a general question about spirituality on the intake form to get an idea of your preference. As with any topic or direction in counseling, you always reserve the right to change your mind after this initial decision.

I am not available for 24-hour emergency crisis intervention. If you or your child experiences a mental health emergency, please do one of the following

• Call 9-1-1

• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room

• Call the Clackamas County Mental Health Crisis Line at (503) 655-8585 or your local county crisis line.

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988       (Previously and still usable (800) 273-8255)

• Text HOME to 741741 to the Crisis Text Line

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If you are an existing client, you can contact me once you are safe. This can be to check-in, update me on your situation, and potentially move your upcoming appointment to an earlier date.