Frequently asked questions
How can therapy help me?
Therapy can teach you new ways to think about the situations that bother you. It can help you cope with feelings and situations. I can support you to develop ways to cope with feelings and symptoms, and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your life challenges.
What kinds of things do people seek help for?
People seek counseling for a variety of reasons including feeling unhappy, confusion about the direction their lives are headed in, and for experiencing feelings of worry, sadness, or anger. I also am contacted by individuals looking for help to change behaviors that are troubling them including: addictive or disordered behaviors or behaviors that affect their relationships at home or at work.
Some people seek counseling because they have a life goal that has been eluding them and they are ready to explore their barriers - I really enjoy helping individuals move forward in their lifes.
Individuals might also seek out counseling because they are going through a difficult time or facing a difficult decision and they are looking for an unbiased "sounding board" - a place to sort through their feelings and move forward with intention and clear thinking.
What the difference between a LMSW and a LCSW?
LMSW stands for Licensed Master of Social Work. A person with a licensed master’s of social work (LMSW) is a practicing social worker who has received an MSW from a school of social work accredited by the
CSWE. Obtaining an MSW involves studying advanced concepts of social work and completing supervised field work. I attended Portland State's Social Work program and did my practicum work the first year at
Kindtree Autism Rocks, as a therapist intern, and the second year at
Sacred Heart Medical Center as a Medical Social Worker.
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The requirements to earn a LCSW are: Have a Master's Degree in Social Work. Under supervision, complete the equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the social work field. The minimum, post-master's hours are: 3500 Total Work Hours
2000 Direct Client Hours
100 Supervised Hours (50 of these must be individual)
Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam
Once an LCSW gets licensed they must complete a certain number of Continued Education hours every two years to stay up to date on the latest clinical research in the field. In addition, some therapists will get extra training in advanced areas of practice. For example, I have additional training in psychosis, OCD, depression, anxiety, to be as supportive as possible.
Can you tell me more about the free consultation call?
During the consultation, you can expect to share a brief summary with me of why you are seeking therapy and ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process. You can ask anything and it is my hope that at the end of the call, you and I would have a better idea if we might be a good therapeutic fit. I will ask you about your insurance coverage. We will both make sure your insurance covers my services. If you feel I can be of support, we will schedule your intake appointment.
How can I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment with me by contacting me via my "Contact" form at the bottom of the webpage. You can also call or text me at (458) 215-0179 to set something up. I believe it is most helpful to have a free 15-minute phone consultation before setting up an appointment.
Once we are working together, I have a secure messaging platform so our communications are HIPAA secure and your privacy is protected.
I look forward to hearing from you!
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Before we have our first session, I will have you fill out some paperwork that will give me an overview of what may be bringing you in for support. I will be sending these documents through a HIPPA compliant web portal. You will create your own login so we can communicate securely via email, chat, and audio.
During the first sesson, we will complete a mental hralth assessment. The second appointment will involve the creation of a safety plan if needed. Then we can begin digging into the work!
Is what I say confidential?
Absolutely. All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential. It is also confidential information that a person is meeting with me. As a licensed clinical social worker, I follow the professional ethical standards of the National Association of Social Workers. Only in rare exceptions when the safety of a client or others is at risk can disclosure of confidential client-therapist information take place. Before we start working in earnest, you will be able to read my confidentiality form and determine if it works for you.