Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is to call me at (253) 313-0537, email me at therapy@introspectivelyinspired.com, or use the contact form on my website. I typically offer a free 15-minute phone consultation first so we can discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit.

Yes! I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation where we can discuss what you're looking for and I can answer any questions about my approach. This helps ensure we're a good fit before you commit to a full session.

The 15-minute consultation call is for exactly this. Pay attention to how you feel talking with me. Do you feel heard? Like I understand what you're actually describing? Trust that. The therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in any therapy working. If we're not the right fit, I'll say so and help you find someone who is.

The first session is 60 minutes. We'll talk about what brought you here, a bit of your history, and where you want to go. I'll explain how I work. You don't have to have a prepared speech or know exactly what you want to say. You just have to show up. It's okay to be nervous — most people are. There's no pressure to share more than you're ready to.

Yes! I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions for clients throughout Washington state. Many clients prefer the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.

My office is at 6625 Wagner Way Suite #356 in Gig Harbor, WA. There's free parking available, and the office is easily accessible from Tacoma and surrounding areas. The space is private, comfortable, and designed to help you feel at ease.

Tuesday through Thursday, 9am–6pm. Friday, 9am–4pm. I offer both in-person sessions at my Gig Harbor office and telehealth throughout Washington state.

Standard therapy sessions are 50-55 minutes. The initial evaluation is 60 minutes. I also offer brief 30-minute check-ins when appropriate for established clients.

Most clients meet weekly, especially at the beginning when we're building momentum and working through immediate concerns. As you progress, we might move to bi-weekly or monthly sessions. The frequency depends on your needs, goals, and what works best for your schedule and budget.

I am a private-pay provider, which means I don't bill insurance directly. However, I provide superbills (detailed receipts) you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. Many clients receive partial or full reimbursement.

Operating as a private-pay practice allows me to:

• Spend more time focused on your care rather than insurance paperwork
• Maintain your complete privacy (insurance companies require diagnosis and detailed treatment notes)
• Offer more flexible treatment options without insurance restrictions
• Avoid arbitrary limits on the number of sessions
• Keep scheduling more flexible

Many clients find that the benefits of private pay outweigh the costs, especially when they receive insurance reimbursement.

I accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). Payment is collected at the time of service via credit card on file. This is secure and convenient—you don't need to remember to bring payment to each session.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Life happens — I understand. The policy exists to respect both of our time. Same-day cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) and no-shows are charged a $90 fee.

Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card and ask:

1. Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
2. What is my out-of-network deductible and has it been met?
3. What percentage is covered after my deductible?
4. Do I need a referral or pre-authorization?
5. How do I submit claims for reimbursement?
6. Is there a limit on the number of sessions per year?

Write down this information and bring it to our first session if you plan to submit for reimbursement.

Yes. Everything you share in therapy is confidential and protected by law. There are only a few legal exceptions:

• You express intent to harm yourself or others
• Abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult is suspected
• A court orders release of records (very rare)

I take your privacy seriously and will always discuss these limits with you. If I ever need to break confidentiality for your safety or someone else's, I will discuss it with you first whenever possible.

Not without your written permission. Even confirming you're a client requires your consent. You decide what gets shared and with whom. For couples therapy, we'll discuss confidentiality policies and what can be shared outside of sessions during our first meeting.

Yes. I use HIPAA-compliant video platforms that encrypt all communications to protect your privacy. It's as secure as in-person therapy. For your part, make sure you're in a private space where you can speak freely and use a secure internet connection (not public WiFi).

It varies! Some people find significant relief in a few months (8-12 sessions), while others benefit from longer-term support. It depends on your goals, the complexity of what you're working on, and how quickly you want to move. We'll regularly review your progress and adjust as needed. You're always in control of when to end therapy.

That's more common than you'd think — especially for teenagers and young adults. Sometimes the approach didn't fit. Sometimes it was just someone asking "how did that make you feel?" every week until you stopped going. I work differently. Sessions are creative and experiential — folklore, metaphor, sandtray, conversation. Nothing like what most people expect from therapy. If it didn't work before, that doesn't mean therapy can't work. It might mean you just haven't found the right entry point yet.

No, as a therapist I cannot prescribe medication. However, I can provide referrals to psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners if medication might be helpful as part of your treatment. Many people benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.

Part of the initial evaluation involves diagnostic assessment, which helps guide treatment planning. However, I view diagnoses as tools for understanding and treatment, not labels that define you. We'll discuss any diagnosis together, what it means, and how it informs our work.

I check voicemail and email regularly during business hours and will get back to you within one business day. For urgent matters, call my office line and leave a detailed message.

For mental health emergencies:

• Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Text 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
• Go to your nearest emergency room
• Call 911

These resources are available 24/7 when you need immediate help.

Occasionally, yes, if it would be helpful for your treatment. We can discuss this and plan for it. However, if you're interested in regular couples work, it's best to schedule couples sessions rather than bringing your partner to individual sessions.

Both. I work with individuals ages 14–35 and couples. The work is the same across the age range — identity, self-discovery, relational healing, finding your way back to yourself. The entry point changes depending on how old you are and what brought you here. The practice holds everyone without diluting either audience.

That's exactly where we start. You don't need to come in with words. You don't need to have it figured out or be able to name what's happening. A lot of the people I work with couldn't articulate what was wrong before we started — they just knew something felt off. That feeling is enough to begin. We find the language together.

Probably, yes — but I won't promise it until we talk. I work differently from most therapists. I don't just ask "how did that make you feel?" week after week. I use creative and experiential approaches — metaphor, folklore, sandtray, storytelling — that reach teenagers who have shut down to traditional talk therapy. Most of my teen clients describe sessions as "not feeling like therapy." That's intentional. If your teenager has already told everyone else no, that's actually a good sign that they need a different entry point, not more of the same.

Start by calling me without your teenager knowing. We can talk about what's happening and I can give you a realistic sense of whether my approach might reach them. I've worked with a lot of teenagers who didn't want to be there at first. Resistance isn't disqualifying — it's often just a sign that they haven't found the right person yet. Sometimes the most I can do is meet them where they are and let them decide what happens next.

Yes. I work with teenagers ages 14–17. Sessions are confidential — not to exclude parents, but because teens need to trust the process before they can use it. I check in with parents at the start and periodically, but session content stays private unless there's a safety concern. I use creative and experiential approaches that meet teenagers where they are.

Yes. I work with couples at any stage — married, dating, engaged, or long-term partners. Whether you're in crisis or just know something isn't working, couples therapy is a space to actually hear each other.

Absolutely. All clients are welcome regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or background. I provide affirming, culturally sensitive care. This space is for all of you.

My practice focuses on ages 14–35 and couples. For younger children, I'm happy to help you find a therapist who specializes in child therapy.