Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be in crisis to start therapy?

No. And most of the people I work with aren't. You don't need a diagnosis, a breakdown, or a single clear problem to justify being here. Plenty of people come because something feels unfinished, or because a life that looks fine from the outside doesn't feel that way from within. Curiosity about your own life is reason enough.

Can therapy help if nothing is really "wrong"?

Yes. Some of the most meaningful work happens with people who are functioning well and sense there's more available to them—more honesty, more aliveness, more of themselves. You don't need to be suffering to grow.

What is existential therapy?

It's therapy concerned with more than symptom relief—though relief often comes. Rather than treating a problem in isolation, we look at the whole shape of a life: the patterns underneath the presenting concern, the questions of meaning and direction that live beneath the day-to-day, the ways you've learned to cope that may no longer serve you. Depth-oriented means we don't stay only on the surface of what's wrong. Existential means we take seriously the big questions—freedom, meaning, mortality, connection—as they actually show up in your life.

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

This is one of the most common things I hear. Sometimes earlier therapy didn't help because it wasn't the right fit, or the right time, or the right depth. And sometimes the symptoms eased but something underneath never quite shifted—the same patterns kept returning, or the relief didn't reach whatever was actually driving things. That's often a sign the symptom was never the whole story. The work I do goes after what the struggle is connected to, not just the struggle itself. A previous experience that fell short doesn't mean therapy can't help you. It sometimes means a different kind of therapy is called for.

What if I'm not sure what I want to work on?

That's completely normal, and figuring it out is part of the work rather than a prerequisite for it. You don't have to arrive with your concerns already named and organized. Some people come with a clear question; others come with a sense that something's off and no words for it yet. Often the naming is the first thing we do together.

What's a consultation like?

It's a free, 15-minute call—no intake forms, no preparation, nothing to get right. Mostly it's a chance to hear each other's voices and see whether there's a fit. You can tell me a little about what's bringing you in, ask me anything you'd like about how I work, and get a feel for whether I'm someone you could imagine talking to. There's no obligation to book, and if I'm not the right person, I'm glad to point you elsewhere. Finding the right therapist matters more than finding one quickly. If we decide to work together, the first session is where we begin in earnest.

What happens in a first session?

The first session looks different from the ones that follow. It's the most structured hour we'll spend together, and the only one I come to with my own agenda. We'll cover some necessary ground: reviewing consent and policies, a bit of history, and the kinds of questions that help me understand what's bringing you in and how I can help. It's more directed than open-ended, by design. From there, the work opens up—subsequent sessions are far less scripted, led by what matters to you rather than by a form or a checklist. Think of the first session as laying the foundation; everything after it is the actual building.

How long does therapy take?

It depends on what you're looking for, and I won't pretend to know at the outset. Some people come with a specific question and find what they need in a few months. Others are drawn to longer, open-ended work—the kind that doesn't resolve a single problem so much as change your relationship to yourself over time. Depth work tends to unfold rather than conclude on a schedule. We'll talk openly about pacing and direction as we go, and you're always free to decide you've gotten what you came for.

How often would we meet?

Most clients meet weekly, especially at the start—consistency is part of what makes the work possible. Some shift to every other week once things are more settled. We'll find the rhythm that fits you.

Do you meet in person or online?

All sessions are online, by secure video, and I see adults located anywhere in Washington State. Telehealth makes depth work accessible from wherever you are—no commute, no waiting room, just a private space of your choosing.

Are you a psychologist? Can you prescribe medication?

No and no. I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate. My doctorate is in psychology—a research and scholarship degree—while my clinical training and license are at the master’s level in counseling. I don't prescribe medication; if medication is something you're considering, I'm happy to coordinate with a prescriber, and many clients find that therapy and medication work well alongside each other.

Do you take insurance?

I'm private-pay, with some options for using out-of-network benefits, and in-network options are coming. You'll find the current details, along with fees and out-of-network guidance, on the Fees page.

How do I get started?

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. If what you've read here resonates, reach out — I'd be glad to hear from you.