Frequently Asked Questions

No. Most clients come to me because things feel overwhelming, confusing, or hard to articulate. You don't need a perfect story or diagnosis. You just need a sense that something isn't working and a willingness to explore that together.

We go slowly. I'll ask what brings you in and what you're hoping for, but there's no pressure to have a polished answer — you don't need your story organized or your pain explained. You don't have to dive into trauma right away. Most people leave the first session surprised by how much space there was, and how little they were pushed.

A brief consultation is how we'd find out — you get a felt sense of the connection quickly. If it doesn't feel right, I can provide referrals to trusted colleagues. Current availability is on the contact page.

You don't need a problem statement. "I'm not sure where to start" is a workable first sentence — it's most people's first sentence. We work out the rest from there.

My work integrates existential–phenomenological therapy, EMDR, Brainspotting, Flash Technique, trauma-informed relational work, somatic awareness, and KAP preparation/integration. Clients tend to say the sessions are slower and more direct than they expected — less protocol being administered, more attention to what's actually there.

Traditional talk therapy focuses on insight and understanding. This work integrates that with body-based processing through EMDR, Brainspotting, and somatic awareness. You're not just talking about trauma—you're processing how it lives in your nervous system.

EMDR has decades of controlled research behind it for trauma. Ketamine has a solid evidence base for depression, and KAP-specific research is still developing. Brainspotting's research base is younger — I use it for what it does clinically, alongside the better-studied tools, not instead of them. The existential-phenomenological framework is what holds these methods together so the work stays coherent.

Weekly sessions are most common, especially at the beginning. As you stabilize and feel more grounded, we may shift to biweekly or, when clinically appropriate, occasional 90-minute sessions. I'll help you determine what structure best supports your goals and nervous system capacity.

There's no universal timeline — it depends on what you're working on and what your nervous system can use. Some people work with me for a few months through a crisis or transition. Others stay a year or more as trauma, identity, and relationship work unfolds. Some do extended sessions and then drop to monthly.

Age cuts both ways: patterns that haven't had decades to solidify often move faster, and the context that comes with being older helps in other ways. What matters more than any of that is readiness, support outside the room, the complexity of what you're carrying, and what you're hoping to build. We move at a pace that's sustainable.

Very rarely—and only when it supports your process. Most of the work happens in session through presence, emotional attunement, processing, and understanding patterns in real time.

Yes. Many of my clients are men who feel shut down, don't know how to access their emotions, fear being judged, are successful at work but struggling at home, or want to be better partners, fathers, or humans. You don't need to know how to express feelings to begin therapy. We build that capacity together. More on how I work with men →

Yes—and not as an add-on. I provide deeply affirming therapy for:

• Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer adults
• Trans and gender-expansive adults
• Non-traditional relationships
• Identity exploration
• Minority stress
• Shame and belonging
• Trauma connected to family, culture, or religion

Your identity is respected and understood without assumptions. More on LGBTQ+ affirming therapy →

No. A meaningful portion of my work is with people in their 20s and early 30s — trauma, family-of-origin material, relationship patterns, identity questions. Some younger clients have told me they wish they'd started this work earlier; that's a real consideration, since patterns that are still forming are usually more workable than patterns that have been organizing the system for twenty years. The modalities (EMDR, Brainspotting, existential-phenomenological work) function the same way at 25 as at 45. What's different at 25 is more often the obstacle than the issue, and the obstacle is usually some version of "is this allowed yet" rather than anything clinical.

Yes—in collaboration with licensed medical prescribers at a partnering practice. You meet with a prescriber for medical evaluation. If approved, they manage dosing and give you a prescription. I provide preparation, support during your dosing session, and integration therapy. I do not prescribe or dispense ketamine. KAP is especially helpful for trauma, depression, numbness, or emotional shutdown when done safely and relationally.

I provide integration therapy for adults who've had experiences with psilocybin, MDMA, ayahuasca, or other psychedelics—whether legal, clinical, or self-guided. This work focuses on processing trauma that surfaced and translating insights into lasting change. Learn more about psychedelic integration →

Sometimes. Most therapy sessions are 55 minutes. When a specific piece of work needs more room, we may schedule a 90-minute session, prorated from the standard session rate.

This is extremely common for trauma survivors. We work slowly and collaboratively to stay within your nervous system's capacity. Flash Technique, Brainspotting, relational pacing, and grounding help us work without flooding or retraumatization. You will not be pushed beyond what feels safe.

Many of my clients have. We will move at your pace, build safety together, and check in regularly to make sure our work together feels attuned and collaborative. Your past experience is not a barrier—it's part of the context.

You're not. I've sat with people navigating rage blackouts, compulsive sexual behavior, suicidal ideation, dissociation, complex religious trauma, combat PTSD, and shame so deep they can't look people in the eye. Nothing you bring will shock me or make me think less of you. The things you're most afraid to say out loud are often exactly where the healing needs to happen.

Yes—I am in network with Premera, LifeWise, Anthem, and most Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans, as well as Kaiser Permanente PPO (via First Choice Health Network) and First Choice Health. If I am not in network with your plan, I provide superbills for reimbursement. I also work with Thrizer to simplify out-of-network billing — so you may only need to pay your estimated copay at the time of service instead of the full fee.

Individual sessions are $175. When clinically appropriate, 90-minute sessions are prorated from the standard session rate. KAP sessions range from $175–500 depending on the type. Many clients with in-network insurance pay only a $20–50 copay. See complete pricing →

Yes. I see clients in-person at my Capitol Hill office in Seattle and via telehealth throughout Washington State.

No. At this time, I work with individual adults only. I can offer referrals if needed.

No. My practice is focused on adult clients (18+).

A brief consultation is how this starts. The contact page has current availability and how to reach me.