This is the most common question I get when I tell people I am a grief and loss counselor. I will first caveat with this - being a therapist is never easy work. Therapists are tasked with holding space for some of our clients greatest pain. AND, being a therapist is filled with incredible delight, as we also get to witness some our client's greatest transformations. For me, being a therapist is an honor and a privilege. I find incredible awe in witnessing my clients learn ways to keep living and finding meaning in their life, even alongside their pain. In many ways, talking about grief, loss and death gives me and my clients opportunities to find MORE delight, awe, purpose and joy in life, not less - because we know how precious life truly is.

Every business owner has to make decisions about how best to run their business and each decision has trade offs. For me, removing the administrative tasks and uncertainties of relying on income from insurance companies allows me to free up space for things such as continuing education and specialized trainings, keeping a small caseload to minimize burnout and providing in-person services in a warm, inviting and accessible space.

Every individual has different needs. I recommend that all client aim to commit to at least 6 months of regular weekly counseling to allow enough time for creating a solid foundation for change. It is also not uncommon for people to start therapy or counseling for one issue only to discover that there is more they want to work on. I encourage clients to frame counseling and therapy as an investment in oneself that will continue to reward you with dividends well beyond the time you spend in the office.

I recommend that clients attend sessions at least one time weekly for the first 3-6 months and then we can reassess whether going to once every other week is a better fit as we move towards transition out of services.

At this time, my preference is to meet in-person in my SW Corvallis office. If you have circumstances that require telehealth services, I am able to make accommodations as needed.

Well, thanks for asking! Limes, books, exploring new places, simplicity, awe, the early morning hours, soft blankets, cilantro, movies, comedy, the smell of rain, thunder, laughing, being touched by another's humanity, feeling, the moon and stars, sleeping, sour gummy worms. What are some of your favorite things?

Friends and loved ones are soooo important! And if you have those whom you can share your deepest darkest thoughts and feelings with you are fortunate. Not everyone feels comfortable sharing deep thoughts and feelings, especially when our loved ones don't have the tools to hold space for us doing so. A skilled therapist is trained to not only hold space for you and your sharing, but to also guide you towards healing. Not all friends and loved ones are able to do this without causing harm.

You are in good company and you are not alone. Many families and family members (mine included) do not value therapy as a useful service and tool. Not everyone is oriented towards growth and self-reflection and that is okay. And you have found yourself here, so I'm guessing that you are interested in trying something new because you want something different in your life.

The landscape of mental health care changed dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic and venture capitalists saw an opportunity to commodify mental health and therapy. Companies like Better Help and Talk Space prioritize profit over care, shareholders over clients and pay their therapists terrible wages. It is important to me that any potential clients know this information and know that I value supporting independently owned, local therapy practices, in the same way that I value supporting independently owned, local coffee shops, book stores, restaurants, etc.

Seeing a private practice therapist offers personalized, consistent care with a focus on your unique need, background and therapeutic goals. Unlike therapy apps or online platforms that may use standardized approaches or AI-driven interventions, a private practice therapist provides human connection, builds a deeper understanding of your personal history and can adapt treatment in real-time based on your progress. This personalized interaction facilitates a more nuanced and effective therapeutic relationship, which is crucial for addressing complex or sensitive issues. Additionally, private therapists prioritize your confidentiality, whereas online platforms may compromise client information due to data sharing practices and often prioritize shareholder profit over individual care.