Research shows that, generally speaking, the better the fit between a counselor and a client, then the better the odds are that therapy will be successful. Because there are a lot of options, I thought I would briefly give you a list of what I am as a therapist and what I am not. There are always exceptions and no list is perfect, but I hope this helps you better understand what you might expect from me.
What I am a good fit for:
Client driven therapy– I do best when the client is very active and motivated. This is the opposite of when the client expects me to drive the sessions and take control. Are you ready to actively share your thoughts and feelings?
Parents trying to balance the stress of work/life balance– this is my current situation (two young children).
Support for Professionals trying to cope with stress of life. This is my personal situation, and if you are also in the thick of it, then I would like to be a sort of guide up the mountain. That means we both have to climb the mountain.
Clients over the age of 18– sorry I do not see any clients under 18, unless it is in a family therapy situation.
Antiracist and a LGBTQTIA ally– I celebrate diversity and have advanced training in incorporating diverse cultures and life styles into my practice. This does not mean I am an expert in all cultures, but I try really hard to grow from and with people who are different from me. I try really hard not to project my personal worldview and values on clients. As in all regards, I am not perfect.
Private Telehealth Practice or Office in Spokane– Depending on your choice and if you live close to the Spokane South Hill area, we can meet online or in person
Celebrator of Neurodivergence– While I am not an expert on all avenues of neurodivergence, I think that diversity of life experiences and how individuals experience life is something to be celebrated, accepted, and sought to be understood.
Help clients gain insight and develop tools and strategies specific to their own situation- The nuance here is that I want you, with my help, to find tools that work for you. I have generic tools I can share in some circumstances, but really the best tools are custom built. I would be honored to help you develop your own idiosyncratic tools.
I am Feminist and concerned with societal oppression– I believe that there are those with power in society and many of us are oppressed. Some are definitely oppressed more than others. Some of us are also very privileged. To have privilege does not make you a bad person. A lot of people face both oppression at times and privileges at other times. This is something we can explore. I feel like exploring this dynamic in therapy is both valid and helpful.
What I am not a good fit for:
Court mandated counseling– This is not a service that I provide. I have mixed feelings about anyone being ‘forced’ into therapy. If you have recently had legal problems and you want to of your own volition seek voluntarily to do therapy, then that is different. If someone or a power to be is trying to force you into therapy and you do not want to go, then I am not the right fit. If you need documentation for court, then I am not a good fit.
Wrap Around Services– I believe that wrap around services that include 24/7 coverage in case of crisis and emergencies are really great services. These services help countless people. However, this is not the scope of my practice. I am a one person agency for stable people who do not need supports between sessions.
Generally, a good fit for people who need more support than one session a week. If you are needing intensive services, then I am not a good fit.
Children’s service– Please see above. I do not work with anyone under 18. For Molina clients, I do not work with any one under 19. If you have questions on that, please reach out to Molina, that is their policy. I will say if you are a parent looking for skills, strategies, and ways to cope with the stress of being a parent I am a good fit.
Brief therapy– I get it, we all want results quickly. My understanding of the research is that quicker methods are often not the better route. I do try to help from the very first session, but more sessions and going thoroughly and slowly in therapy is more my style.
Religious or spiritual based therapy– I bring 0% of my own religion into my practice. I am not a Christian therapist. There are religiously based therapists and Christian therapists out there. If that is what you would prefer, then you should work with them.
Emergency Services– If you are having an emergency you need to call 911 and/or go to an ER. If you are having a crisis that is not as dire as an emergency, then you need to google a mental health crisis line. I am not available via E-mail or phone for emergencies. This is not my practice.
A crisis phone line– If you need a crisis phone line you need to google a number for one in your local area. It can often take me a few days to respond to voicemails. I do not have a receptionist or call coverage for nights/ weekends/ and vacations. I am often in session with clients. I am hard to get a hold of via the phone.
Manual based approaches– There is a process in early therapy that takes about 5 sessions to get to know one another. I develop a plan with you for a personalized therapeutic path forward, but I do not use cookie cutter approaches. Some people want a manualized approach, and these sort of therapists exist and they are great fits for people who want this type of approach. I am not one of them. We are going to find a way forward that is unique for you, and we will not be working through a specific workbook- step by step.
Someone with a rigid worldview steeped in traditionalism– Please note that I am not saying this sort of personality or viewpoint is wrong or bad. I am just saying that if this is what you are looking for, then I am not a good fit. I am a very open minded thinker and that people with very rigid absolute values are probably not going to be a good fit for therapy with me.
If you want someone to give you ‘the answers’– If you do not want to be challenged to learn how to find answers on your own, then I am not a good fit. I will make you work hard for your own solutions. This will teach you how to do it on your own in between sessions. This is also better therapy in my opinion. Ultimately, I would like there to be a time (when appropriate) you no longer need to work with me or need to work with me far less often. Because if I am successful, you have gained the meta skills for solving your own issues.