Frequently Asked Questions

If you're asking this question, therapy is probably worth trying. You don't have to be in crisis. You don't have to have a diagnosis. You don't have to be "bad enough." Therapy is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, feel less stuck, or build skills to handle what life throws at them.

If you're on the fence, schedule a free consultation. We'll talk, and if I don't think I'm the right fit, I'll tell you, and point you toward someone who might be.

The first session (intake) is all about getting to know you and your story. I'll ask questions about:

• What's bringing you to therapy now
• Your history (family, relationships, work, health)
• What you're hoping will be different

It's not scary or interrogation-style. It's more like... a really intentional conversation where I'm trying to understand what's going on and how I can help. You don't have to have everything figured out. Just show up and tell me what's on your mind.

Honest answer? It depends.

Some clients come for a few months to work through a specific issue. Others stay longer because they're working on deeper patterns or ongoing challenges (like ADHD management, trauma recovery, or relationship skills).

All clients are encouraged to attend four sessions to see what counseling with me is like. If we're making progress and agree to continue, you can expect to attend 12 sessions to thoroughly address one issue. Beyond that, we'll check in regularly about progress and what makes sense for you. This isn't something you'll be stuck in forever, but it's also not a quick fix.

I'm trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and attachment-based. That means:

• Trauma-informed: I understand how trauma (big or small) shapes how you see yourself and the world. We'll work on healing old wounds, not just managing symptoms.
• Neurodivergent-affirming: Your brain isn't broken. We'll build strategies that work for your brain, not force you into neurotypical boxes.
• Attachment-based: A lot of struggles in adulthood trace back to early relationships. We'll look at patterns and help you build healthier ways of connecting.

Specific tools I use:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma
• IFS (Internal Family Systems) for understanding different parts of yourself
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for thought patterns and behaviors
• Somatic/body-based work for nervous system regulation
• Mindfulness and practical coping skills
• Elements of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy as appropriate

I'm not married to one method. I use what works for you.

At this time, I don’t offer couples counseling. While I have some training in couples and relationship work, my practice is currently focused on individual therapy.

Many of my clients do talk about their relationships, marriages, or partnership dynamics in individual sessions with me, and that’s absolutely welcome. We can explore patterns, communication challenges, attachment styles, identity changes, boundaries, and the emotional weight of relational stress from your perspective.

If you’re looking for dedicated couples therapy, I’m happy to make personalized recommendations to clinicians who specialize in working with couples, partnerships, and family systems.

Absolutely.

My BA is in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies, and I earned national certification as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter in 2003. Before becoming a therapist, I worked full-time as a community interpreter and later taught interpreting at a community college in Texas. Although I transitioned into counseling in 2012, I have maintained my RID certification ever since.

In 2017, I experienced complications from an illness that resulted in a severe hearing loss in my right ear. While I had long been passionate about supporting the Deaf community, living with unilateral hearing loss has given me personal insight into the realities of late-in-life hearing loss—how it affects communication, identity, relationships, self-advocacy, and even everyday recreation.

I welcome Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients, as well as hearing family members navigating communication or identity shifts around hearing loss. Sessions can incorporate ASL or be tailored with communication accommodations based on your preferences.

Yes, through several platforms:

• Headway (various plans in WA & TX)
• Spring Health (EAP platform for many large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and Target; most clients find me through their EAP benefits)
• SimplePractice (Premera, SWHP)

I also accept self-pay: $200 for intake, $175 for follow-up sessions.

Payment methods: Credit, debit, or HSA cards. I don't offer a sliding scale at this time.

If you're not sure about your coverage or EAP benefits, reach out and we can figure it out together.

No, I'm a therapist (LPC in Texas, LMHC in Washington), not a psychiatrist, so I can't prescribe medication.

But I can help you navigate the medication process:

• Process fears or hesitations about starting medication
• Reflect on how medication is (or isn't) working for you
• Offer observations about symptoms I'm seeing over time (especially if we've worked together for a while)
• Walk through medication changes with you; I have the time to help you process your experience, which doctors often don't

I'm also happy to collaborate with your prescriber to give feedback on what I'm seeing in sessions. Some clients do therapy alone, some do medication alone, and some do both. It's all valid.

I get it, therapy is an investment. If cost is a barrier, here are some options:

• Check if your insurance covers it. Many plans cover therapy with low or no copay.
• Use an HSA or FSA if you have one.
• Check if your insurance reimburses for Out of Network therapy. I can offer a superbill after each session.
• Open Path Collective offers reduced-rate therapy nationwide.

I want you to get help, even if it's not with me. Don't let cost stop you from reaching out to someone.

Both!

Telehealth: Monday – Friday, available across WA & TX

In-person: Thursdays in Edmonds, WA

Most of my clients do telehealth because it's more convenient. Research shows it's just as effective as in-person for most people, and honestly, some clients prefer it because they're in their own space.

That's really common, and it doesn't mean therapy doesn't work. It usually means:

• The therapist wasn't the right fit
• The approach wasn't right for your needs
• The timing wasn't right

Finding the right therapist is like finding a good hair stylist or mechanic. Sometimes anyone will do, and it works out fine. But when things are more complicated — when you need someone who really understands your specific situation — sometimes you have to look a little longer to find the right match.

If you've had a bad experience before, tell me. We'll talk about what didn't work and make sure this feels different.

Yes! I work with teens (typically 15+ who have an interest in mental health or have done therapy already and are wanting more from the experience), adults, and seniors.

With teens, I focus on:

• ADHD/autism and school struggles
• Anxiety, depression, and self-worth
• Family conflict and communication
• Identity questions (faith, sexuality, gender, etc.)
• Trauma and emotional regulation

I involve parents in age-appropriate ways. Teens get confidentiality, but we also collaborate as a family when it makes sense.

That's my job to figure out with you. A lot of clients come in saying, "I don't even know where to start." That's totally fine. We'll start with what's bothering you right now, and we'll figure out the rest as we go.

You don't need a script. You just need to show up.

I get it. Reaching out is hard, especially if you're someone who's used to handling everything on your own.

Here's the easiest first step: Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. No commitment. No pressure. Just a conversation to see if we're a good fit.

Or, if you're not ready for that yet, send me an email. Tell me a little bit about what's going on. I'll respond within 2 business days, and we'll go from there. You don't have to do this perfectly. You just have to take the next step.

Schedule a free consult | contact@highlandpractice.com | 530-350-6677

If you're in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself, please reach out for immediate help:

• Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Text "HELLO" to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
• Call 911 or go to your nearest ER

I respond to non-urgent messages within 2 business days, but I'm not available for crisis support outside of scheduled sessions.