• Attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
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• Develop skills for improving your relationships
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• Find resolution to the concerns that led you to seek therapy
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• Learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
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• Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
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• Improve communications and listening skills
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• Change old behavior patterns and developing new ones
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• Discover new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
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• Improve your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Every counseling session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals.  It is standard for counselors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions.

It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes.

Counseling can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the counseling sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors.

It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For counseling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions.

People seeking counseling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of counseling:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
• How can counseling help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating with a qualified and experienced helping partner.  I can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks.

Many people also find that I can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life.

I can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
• Is counseling right for me?

Seeking out a helping partner, be it coach or counselor, is an individual choice.  Many people seek advice as they pursue their own personal and professional exploration, development, and growth.

I help provide insight, support, education, feedback, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition.

Counseling is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Do I really need a counselor?  I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it.

In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counseling.

Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Is medication a substitute for counseling?

In some cases a combination of medication and counseling is the right course of action.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you.  It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication.  Instead of just treating the symptom, counseling addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress.  You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

How does insurance work?

Most health insurance plans with mental health care benefits only provide coverage for (i.e., will pay for)  specific treatment modalities of specifically diagnosed mental health disorders.  Most health insurance plans also maintain electronic healthcare records of your diagnosis and treatment progress.  I currently accept insurance for the following plans:

• Tricare TriWest (Certified Provider)
• Kitsap Physicians Service (KPS)
• First Choice Health
• Managed Health Network (MHN)
• United Bevhavioral Health (UBH)
• Out of Network Services (Check with your Insurance)

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counselor. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The counselor is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The counselor is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The counselor will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.