Counseling And Coaching Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Use the first five visits to determine whether we're a "good match". If you don't feel convinced in three visits, you should initiate a discussion, ask questions, or terminate services.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Pick therapists with experience. Ask for a free consultation (usually 30 minutes), and ask questions about their background with your issues. Be clear about what you want, i.e. a male therapist vs. a female therapist, counseling vs. coaching services.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Although there are a plethora of therapists available in Seattle, I offer several components that many do not. I'm a Master's Level counselor who has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Registered Nurse, and experience in back office Nursing and Triage Nursing. I also am adept at using Integrative Medicine practices in the clinical setting, as many people have turned to this. Additionally, I can conduct sessions over the phone and Internet, and many of my clients have appreciated this, especially when life gets busy, traffic is horrid, they are on travel, or they cannot find the right therapist in their home town.

One thing I noticed that was missing was more therapists who work with those in the LBGT, poly, and alternative relationship styles communities. Over the years, clients who came to see me for one thing ended up bringing their experiences from these communities, and they kept encouraging me to let others know how well I handled their complex relationships and lifestyles. I'm proud to say that I've been highly recommended by clients from these communities for giving adept, compassionate, and appropriate counseling.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I like helping people. Life can be a puzzle at times, and I enjoy helping people put together the pieces of that puzzle.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Three most commonly asked questions, in order:

1. Am I normal? [Answer: Does it matter? Do you really want to be 'normal'?" ]

2. Will I feel this way (in pain) forever? [Answer: Feelings are like ocean waves. They come and they go. You won't feel this way forever, but you're feeling this way now. Let's look at that together.]

3. Can you help me with losing weight? [Yes, if you're ready. I have a plan and a book of tips I'll ask you to follow. Everyone who does this loses weight and changes their relationship to food and eating, which is the only way to take weight off and keep it off].

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. My favorite one is of a client on the brink of divorce, deeply unhappy, and wondering if it were too late to save her marriage. We did a lot of work together. I coached her through the process of asking for what she wanted to see if her husband was open. After the counseling sessions ended, she sent me a picture of her family with hubby on vacation, with the statement, "This moment made possible because of you."

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. We live in an age where the stigma of asking for professional help is pretty much gone. It's now a privilege to be able to have someone helping you, listening to your deepest needs, and showing you how to create a more satisfying life. Busy people, top notch professionals, and small business owners realize how incredibly helpful it is to have another set of eyes looking at what they are doing and thinking, but without criticizing or being without compassion.

Clients now have medical benefits that may cover some of my services. You're already paying for them. Use them!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Counselors are required to complete CEU's in our field as well as legal and ethical issues every two years.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Counseling is $110 per 45-50 minute insight oriented behavioral health session. I do have a sliding scale for those without insurance benefits.

Coaching is a different category. Because of its intensive nature and homework involved, the fee structure is different. For a single person in F2F meetings, I charge $175 per 60 minutes, but sessions can be done on the quarter, half, 3/4 or full hour and priced proportionally.