Counseling for
Individuals and Intimate Partners
in oregon & Washington
Answers
to Frequently Asked Questions
Do you see clients in person?
I only see clients remotely using telemental health video conferencing and by phone when video is unavailable or not preferred. Brief consultations can be done using either video or phone. Other ways to communicate with me securely include my email contact form on this website, messaging through my practice management software once you are a client, phone or text. All are HIPAA compliant and secure.
How does payment work?
I offer a same day payment discount. Full fees are billed to in-network insurance companies. You are responsible for paying your copayment at the time of service. Currently I am only contracted in-network with PacificSource Insurance.
I expect full payment or insurance copay at the time of our session. I accept checks, cash, and credit card. If you have out-of-network mental health coverage, I will provide you with a “Superbill” receipt of our sessions to accompany your insurance company’s reimbursement form.
I use a practice management system, Simple Practice, that allows you to subscribe to a client portal where you can see your account history and retrieve “Superbills” for reimbursement. To pay by credit card I offer a HIPPA compliant credit card service, IVY Pay. I never see your credit card information. You receive a link by text message to access a secure site where you enter in your information. You only need to do this once. After that, I can charge your card without you needing to do anything more. You receive a text confirming the payment was made. That way, you don’t ever have to shift your inner state to do a financial transaction at the end of a session.
Note: You will be charged a 2.75% service charge when paying by credit card.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I accept out-of-network insurance plans. I am an in-network provider for Pacific Source. I also accept payment from Health Savings Accounts, which you can use for mental health care. If you have Pacific Source insurance, you will need to provide your insurance information prior to your first visit so that I can check your benefits, copay, and deductible. If your benefits are confirmed prior to our first session, you will only be responsible for paying your copay or deductible if unmet at the time of your session. If you do not provide insurance information ahead of time, you will need to pay in full for the initial visit and provide insurance information at the first session. You will be reimbursed for any portion that the insurance pays for that first session. If you have out-of-network coverage, you will be required to pay for the session in full at the time of the sessions and then send in a reimbursement form with the “Superbill” I provide containing all the needed information.
Note: I do not bill insurance for couples therapy.
What is your cancellation or missed appointment policy?
Your session time is reserved just for you. I require 24-hour notice if you need to cancel an appointment to avoid paying for the missed appointment in full. This notice allows me some time to fill that spot if someone else needs to make a one-time session change or is needing extra support. You can cancel by leaving me a voicemail, message in Simple Practice, or email sent from my website’s secure website. You are responsible for full payment of the session if you are late, miss your appointment, or cancel less than 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. For those who have PacificSource Insurance and only pay a copay, be aware that if you miss or late cancel an appointment the charge is $160 out-of-pocket. I may make exceptions in cases of crisis or unusual circumstances, or if you reschedule in the same week.
Do you have an inclement weather policy
Yes. One of the benefits of telemental health counseling is that we can meet under almost all weather conditions. If, though, we have a storm or other event that takes down either our electrical or internet connection, we will do our session by phone if possible. If that is not possible, we will reschedule. If you suspect loss of power or the internet will interfere with our scheduled session time, be sure to text or phone me as soon as possible. You will not be charged a late cancellation fee if power or internet goes down within 24 hours of our appointment. Remember, other than these conditions, my 24-hour cancellation policy is in effect.
What are my rights as a client?
As a client of an Oregon licensed professional counselor (LPC), you have the following rights:
· To expect that a licensee has met the qualifications of training and experience required by state law
· To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee
· To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics
· To report complaints to the Board
· To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services
· To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule and law, with some exceptions
· To be free from discrimination because of age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, national origin, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status
What are the exceptions or limits to my privacy and confidentiality?
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If you report child abuse or imminent danger to a vulnerable adult. *
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If you are involved in legal matters where my therapy records of our sessions are subpoenaed or required in court proceedings.
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If your insurance company is paying for therapy services, they require a diagnosis, and may request records to verify “medical necessity” of “treatment.”
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Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision.**
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If you were to bring a legal claim against me, I could use my therapy records of our sessions to defend against the claim.
*I am mandated by the State of Oregon to report any information I receive of suspected child abuse or imminent danger to a vulnerable adult. If you talk to me about either situation, be aware that I am required to call adult or child protective services to report the incident(s).
**In the case I seek consultation or supervision from a licensed provider, the provider is obligated to the same ethical standards and identifying information is avoided.
What if I am feeling suicidal?
If you feel you need emergency assistance and need to reach someone immediately, call the Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Line at 503-988-4888 24-hours a day, or 911. You can also go to Cascadia Urgent Walk-in Clinic, 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., at 4212 SE Division, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97206, 503-236-7166.
Are there risks in engaging in therapy?
Psychotherapy or counseling has helped many people navigate the process of change, gain new perspectives, experience emotional opening, and overall personal growth, but success is not guaranteed. However, it is important to know that as you turn your attention inward to face problems, allow your self-awareness to grow, you sometimes risk feeling strong, painful emotions before and/or as you begin feeling better. This is often a natural process of gaining familiarity with all the parts of ourselves and identification with a core or true Self that can hold those parts and their, sometimes, extreme thoughts and feelings with self-compassion, curiosity, and calm. I will make every effort to limit these risks and support you to gain awareness of them as they arise. Participation in psychotherapy is well worth the risks, and the more you come to know your Self, the more fully you can lead the life you desire, the more wholeheartedly you can connect with others.
I want to know more about your qualifications or licensure status, who do I contact?
As a licensee (OR C6809; WA LH61169362) of Oregon--Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, (OBLPC) and Washington—Washington State Department of Health, I abide by each of the state's Code of Ethics. To maintain my license, I am required to participate in continuing education, taking classes on subjects relevant to my profession.
Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
3218 Pringle Rd SE, #250, Salem, OR 97302-6312
(503) 378-5499
Washington State Healthcare Authority
360-236-4700
https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/file-complaint-about-provider-or-facility
What Approaches Do You Use?
I hold the therapeutic relationship, You and I, as the foundation of effective therapy. I see my work through a trauma-informed and holistic lens. I assume that patterns of behavior that trouble us in our current life are connected to events from our childhood and families of origin. I frame my understanding of our inner world of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and our challenges in relationship with assumptions that come from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model:
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Our mind is made up of sub-personalities or parts—different states or points of view we experience in any given moment. Example: “Part of me is excited about going, while another part of me is frightened to go.”
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We all have true or essential Self distinct from our personality parts that is present at birth and holds positive qualities. When we access those qualities, they can provide wisdom and acts of healing for wounds our parts may be carrying.
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Parts are forced into counter-productive and exhausting roles within our inner system because of trauma and attachment injuries.
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Parts can express extreme emotions or actions, but however misinformed their intentions are positive.
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As we develop, our parts form a complex system of interactions internally, with opposing agendas, alliances, and hierarchies.
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Changes in our internal world system can affect changes in the external world system, and vice versa.
Frames of reference and tools that fill my therapist pockets include: Self and parts work from an Internal Family System (IFS) framework, identification of patterns stemming from family of origin, Enneagram personality structures, guided imagery, mindfulness practices, body-centered or somatic awareness, role play, attachment styles and interpersonal processing. For couples/intimate partners, I bring use an IFS/Intimacy from the Inside Out and developmental/emotion-focused approach couples.
