Working together for joy, peace, and growth
Next steps…
You’ve made the decision to invest in yourself, in your wellbeing and your future. Working with someone who you trust, who holds space with warmth and compassion, can be one of the most profound changes in a person’s life. It can be the difference between staying stuck in past narratives to being the writer of your unique life story. The most important element of psychotherapy, no matter the emphasis, theory or methodology, is the connection you feel with your therapist. Let’s schedule a free 20-minute appointment to see if I’m the right therapist for you.
What works best for you?
Online
I can work with individuals, couples, and families living in Washington via secure video conferencing. The day before your appointment you will get a link on email or text that will take you to my virtual office. Teletherapy can be a terrific option in many situations and has been invaluable these past couple of years. My preference would be to work together in person when possible, but the ease of online connection gives us unlimited flexibility for times and distance.
Office
My office is located in North Tacoma off of 21st Street near many neighborhood businesses. There is a larger space for families and groups, a smaller space for individuals, and an option to sit outside on the patio. Feeling safe is a foundation to therapy and because of that I have had the vaccine and will uphold the highest level of safety for you, our families, and our community. If there is a question of my exposure, clients are given the option to cancel or switch to telehealth. There is street parking available as well as easy access from the alleyway at the back of the house.
Outside
There are many benefits to doing therapy while moving and in nature. In fact, being outside and appreciating nature for 30 minutes per day has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety equal to medication. Movement and nature helps us to access our emotions, creativity, and sense of equilibrium. Outdoor sessions can be in the backyard sitting area or we can walk for 40 minutes with time for reflection at the end of the session.
What to expect
The first phase of counseling includes a 20-minute telephone appointment, paperwork, and an 85-minute session for me to get to know you. The most important thing we will cover is what has brought you to this decision at this time and why. I will ask you questions about your current life, your experiences growing up and young adulthood, your physical and mental health history, your relationships, and substance use. I will ask about your experiences in school and work, as well as how you process stress and if you have had significant traumatic events or periods of time in your life.
Although it can feel like a lot, this session sets the foundation for our work together. We will start to identify intentions and goals to work toward and the length of time it will take us to get there. Research overwhelmingly shows that counseling heals and creates new pathways in the brain that leads to better health, relationships, peace, and joy in one’s life. Most clients find they need at least 8 to 12 sessions; research shows that it can take 6 to 10 months for results to be established and maintained. This can be biweekly, weekly, or bimonthly sessions depending on your needs.
Making a commitment to go to therapy one hour per week is a great first start, but to really make positive changes that are enduring, more is required. A therapy notebook is an important component of our work together. It is helpful to take notes on your own thoughts, reflections, and meaning that comes to the surface during our sessions and throughout the week. I oftentimes will suggest books, audiobooks, apps, TED Talks, or You Tube videos that I’ve found helpful. At the end of every session we will talk about to-dos for the next time. Your personal work outside of the office is just as important as our time in session.
Rates
Counseling (Individual, Couple and Family) and Coaching 80-minute session: $195 50-minute session: $165 30-minute add on session: $50
For both counseling and coaching, clients will meet with me for 85-minutes for the first session and then 55-minute sessions thereafter. Weekly sessions can be helpful when working through difficult feelings. Every other week with individual work in between can also be effective.
Group Counseling 85-minute session: $125 8 session package: $950
Sacred Connections offers group counseling for specific topics such as grief and loss, college success, emotional regulation, parenting, Pandemic recovery, divorce/coparenting, setting life intentions, and more. Groups offer education, connection, and support within of group of 4-8 individuals who meet weekly for an hour and a half for eight weeks.
Book Club with Purpose (most books require 6 weeks) Registration: $50 Each Session: $25 Average cost: $200 for 6 sessions
Workshops One-day workshop: $255 Two-day workshop: $455
Workshops are a terrific way to learn about a timely and complex topic with others, while also having an opportunity to reflect on your personal thoughts, beliefs, and patterns of being in relation to others. Topics such as parenting teens out of the Pandemic, setting life intentions, living with uncertainty, finding joy in the middle of it all, working with stress, and more. Typically, workshops are held on weekends from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Parenting Consultation One time, 2-hour appointment for up to two parents/caregivers: $255 Two, 2-hour appointments for up to two parents/caregivers: $455
Divorce and Coparenting Consultation One time, 2-hour appointment for one or both parents: $255 Two one time, 2-hour appointments for both parents separately: $455
Insurance
I am not contracted with health insurance plans at this time. Check with your insurance provider for out-of-network coverage. I can provide you with a monthly statement or superbill that includes the necessary information for out-of-network, outpatient mental/behavioral health reimbursement. If your plan does not directly reimburse, oftentimes mental health counseling can be applied to your health savings account (HSA) or to your yearly deductible.
Cancellation policy
Appointments can be canceled at least 48 hours in advance. I understand that life can sometimes get in the way of the calendar and will try to reschedule or switch to a virtual appointment if possible. In absence of an alternative arrangement, late cancellations and missed appointments will be charged for the full appointment .
Begin with the end in mind
For me, one of the hardest parts of being a therapist is saying goodbye when my clients’ goals have been realized. The therapeutic relationship is a real bond that is developed over time; a special window that allows me to attempt to see into the world as you’ve experienced it. Many describe therapists as a mirror for individuals to see the essence of themselves.
An element of my graduate program was deep reflection into my past, my beliefs, and unconscious biases which is similar to cleaning a mirror so that my past does not interfere with what I reflect back to my clients. I truly hold unconditional positive regard for every person I work with and that makes it hard to let go. However, my highest intention is to provide a clearing in the forest of your life so that you can reconnect with yourself and the people surrounding you, for you to find your own path toward purpose, connection, joy, and peace.
Life is not easy and it is universal that we can get stuck from time to time, whether that is due to our body, mind, spirit, or heart. Therapy can help during these times, but it’s not a good idea to get stuck in therapy either. It doesn’t always feel like progress is being made each week, but my job is to integrate your stories, look for unconscious or unknown barriers, and incorporate interventions that create new neural pathways that lead you toward your highest intentions. And then one day, you will be on your way to my office and wonder what you’re going to talk about, you’ll feel a sense of peace around the issues or the relationships that made you want to find a therapist. That is when we will have our closing session, when we will reflect on what we discovered together and where your new path is directing you. And if needed, we can begin again at a different time.
Notice of Privacy Practices
As a mental health counseling client, you have privileged communication. This means that your relationship with me as my client, all information disclosed in our sessions, and the written records of those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except where law requires disclosure.
When Disclosure Is Required by Law: Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable suspicion of child, dependent or elder abuse or neglect and when a client presents a danger to self, to others, to property, or to someone with a disability.
When Disclosure May Be Required: Disclosure may be required in a legal proceeding. If you place your mental status at issue in litigation that you initiate, the defendant may have the right to obtain your psychotherapy records and/or my testimony. If you have not paid your bill for treatment for a long period of time, your name, payment record and last known address may be sent to a collection agency or small claims court.
Health Insurance and Confidentiality of Records: Your health insurance carrier may require disclosure of confidential information in order to process claims. Only the minimum necessary information will be communicated to your insurance carrier, including diagnosis, the date and length of our appointments, and what services were provided. Often the billing statement and your company's claim form are sufficient. Sometimes treatment summaries or progress toward goals are also required. Unless explicitly authorized by you, psychotherapy notes will not be disclosed to your insurance carrier. While insurance companies claim to keep this information confidential, I have no control over the information once it leaves my office. Please be aware that submitting a mental health invoice for reimbursement carries some risk to confidentiality, privacy, or future eligibility to obtain health or life insurance.
As a client, you will receive a copy of practice and privacy policies at the start of our work together.
Schedule a free 20 minute appointment by calling or sending an email
Address 2105 North Fife St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
Hours
Tuesday–Thursday
9:00am–6:00pm
Phone
(253) 579-6314
There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path. There is no path to love; love is the path. There is no path to peace; peace is the path.
— Dan Millman