Do you take insurance?

At this time, I do not take insurance. I can issue a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider as a claim on your out of network benefits. It will be your responsibility to look into this option as I can’t guarantee any amount of reimbursement from your particular insurance provider.

How often will we meet for therapy?

The frequency of our sessions will be determined collaboratively as we discuss your goals for therapy. Most of my clients meet every one or two weeks.

Do you see clients in person?

At this time, I don’t see clients in person. In order to keep my operating costs low and to provide lower session fees, I work from a home office. I provide all sessions virtually through a secure telehealth platform called Simple Practice.

Is online therapy right for me?

Many people find that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, but some want the experience of physically sitting in the same room as the therapist. If you’re on the fence, I encourage you to schedule a consultation to see what it feels like. You might be surprised by the comfort you feel as you sit in your own home while speaking to someone about your challenges.

What are the advantages of online therapy?

Benefits of online therapy can include convenience and flexibility because you can participate from anywhere that has an internet connection and privacy. It also offers comfort and familiarity because you can sit in the comfort of your own home. While in-person therapists make every effort to provide privacy, the ultimate privacy is being able to join a session from your own home where you have complete control over your environment. Online therapy can also offer more accessibility, and it can be family-friendly for parents who would otherwise need to get childcare to attend a session in person. There’s also an opportunity for therapists to get a better sense of their client’s world and for clients to feel more seen and understood with online therapy.

Do you see clients outside of the state of Washington?

At this time, I’m only licensed in the state of Washington; therefore, I’m unable to see clients outside of the state. This means that if you are traveling out of Washington at the time of our appointment, even though we’re meeting online, I’m unable to see you. We must reschedule for a time that you will be back in Washington. Please let me know if you have a trip planned out of state, so we can work around it.

What can I expect in the first session?

In the first session, I’m gathering as much information as possible about my clients. I want to know the history of your challenges, your family background, any mental health history, your resources, and the goals you have for therapy. I typically ask clients to share their story with me, and most of this information comes out naturally as they tell me about their lives. I ask some questions if needed, but the first session is very open-ended.

Can a friend or family member join me for a therapy session?

You can have a friend of family member join you if you feel it would be beneficial for your treatment. You will need to complete a Release of Information form to allow them to be part of your therapy. Please let me know in advance if you will have someone joining you, so we can make sure we have proper consent documented.

Can I meet with you while I’m on vacation?

As long as you’re in the state of Washington, where I’m licensed, and you have a private place where you will be uninterrupted during our session, I’m happy to meet with you while you’re traveling.

Can I talk to you while I’m driving?

For your safety, please don’t drive while we’re meeting virtually. If you need to take a few extra minutes to find a place to pull over before you can join our scheduled session, please take care of your safety first. If you need to reschedule, you can send me a message beforehand to let me know you’re on the road. If you’re dealing with something that is urgent and came up unexpectedly, I will be happy to reschedule you without charge as long as it isn’t becoming an ongoing pattern.

Will you diagnose me?

I don’t formally diagnose my clients as part of routine treatment. One of the benefits of not taking insurance is that I’m not required to document a diagnosis. However, I know that a diagnosis can be meaningful for individuals who are looking to make sense of their experience and find appropriate resources for support. I’m happy to talk about diagnoses with clients, and I can provide documentation of certain mood and anxiety disorders if needed. If I don’t have experience with a particular diagnosis, I can help you find another provider who has that specialty.

Will you tell me I need medication?

I believe medication can be a helpful part of treatment, but I typically don’t tell clients whether or not to pursue medications. I will often ask them about medications they’re taking and whether they feel effective. I can also help clients find a provider to prescribe and manage medications if needed. I’m not a psychiatrist, and I don’t have extensive knowledge about psychiatric medications.

How long have you been practicing therapy?

I’ve been formally providing therapy for clients since 2021. I began as an intern in community mental health, where I worked with children, adolescents, and families. I continued there as a clinician after I completed my master’s degree in 2023. I also opened my business in 2023 and gradually transitioned away from community mental health into private practice where I’ve mostly worked with adults and couples.

How did you choose the name Sparrow Counseling?

I wanted the primary message in my business brand to be HOPE. A friend suggested sparrow for my business’s name, and I loved that I could connect the Spanish word for hope to the word sparrow. In Spanish, espero means “I wait” or “I hope.” As a long time student of the Spanish language, this is my little way of including hope in the name of my business. I want my clients to feel hope when they work with me because I believe there’s always hope.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

I don’t offer a sliding scale at this time. My session fees are the same for all clients. $150 for individuals, and $165 for couples or families.

What methods do you use in your work with clients?

I primarily practice Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is rooted in attachment theory, systems theory, and experiential therapy. EFT involves tracking and understanding internal and interpersonal interactional cycles and the underlying emotions involved in these patterns. It involves opportunities to experience these emotional processes during sessions and to share them with others, whether that be therapist, an imagined other, or even parts of the self. As an EFT therapist, I offer safety, security, compassion, curiosity, and respect to clients.

How can I prepare for my first session?

Most clients schedule their intake session during our initial consultation. When the intake session is scheduled, I will send electronic paperwork for you to complete which will need to be done before the first session. When you come to the first session, we will talk about your current challenges, your family of origin and any important adult relationships, how you experience emotion, and your goals for therapy. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this articulated in your mind. Part of the assessment process is to see how you relate to your story and how past and present experiences impact you emotionally. There can be gaps, and it can be messy and disorganized.