Frequently Asked Questions

do you offer in-person or virtual therapy?

I currently only offer in-person therapy on Monday's in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. I offer virtual therapy Tuesday through Friday.

Can you diagnose ADHD and/or Autism?

No. It is not within the scope of my license to diagnose with any form of neurodivergence, learning disability, or developmental disability. You can start that process with your primary care doctor, or I can give you a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist for testing and diagnosis.

What does 'Non-Pathologizing' mean?

This means that when you enter therapy with me, I do not immediately seek to diagnose you with a disorder. I am qualified to diagnose most mental health disorders, but I believe it should be up to the client to decide if they would like to receive a diagnosis or simply receive therapy without the need for labels. Labels can be both helpful and harmful and is a very personal decision that should be yours to make. 

Do you offer sliding scale fees?

Yes. I do offer a limited number of sliding scale slots. Please inquire via the contact form on this website for current status. 

Why don't you accept insurance?

I don’t take insurance for a number of reasons. First, your records become less confidential since insurance companies can request to see your records at any time. Second, I would be required to diagnose you, which I believe violates your autonomy and is a decision that should not be made by companies or individuals who are not mental health professionals. Also, because your records can be requested at any time, that diagnosis may hinder your ability to apply for jobs, health insurance, life insurance, legal issues, etc. Finally, working with insurance means that the insurance companies determine how long you need therapy and what kind you can receive. By not working with insurance, I better maintain your privacy and help preserve your agency over your healing process.

What is 'somatic therapy'?

Somatic therapy focuses on the body or physical sensations of emotions in the body. As a trauma-informed therapist, I am aware that most trauma is stored in the body. Therefore, I believe that to leave the body out of the therapeutic process would not provide trauma-informed care. What this looks like in therapy will depend on your familiarity and comfort level with body-based awareness. I will meet all clients where they are with this and work slowly to gain more awareness of their somatic experiences.