FAQs
What should you know and how should you prepare for counseling over video?
Preparing for a supportive video counseling experience is about creating a comfortable and secure space for you to explore, share, and grow. Your privacy and peace of mind are essential to me, and I'm here to guide you through every step of this journey.
Connecting with me: Rest assured, I've got your privacy covered with an encrypted and HIPAA-compliant platform. Whether you're using a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone, you can connect with me easily. If you encounter connectivity hiccups, a simple solution might be shutting down and restarting your device or internet source.
Creating Your Sacred Space: My office is a serene, sound-proofed basement sanctuary where our sessions unfold without interruptions or eavesdropping. It's equally important that you find a quiet and private spot with a steady internet connection to fully engage in our meaningful conversations.
If you share your space with others, kindly request that they honor your time with me by minimizing distractions. To soften background noise, some of my clients have found solace in using a fan or white-noise machine—readily available online for your convenience. You can meet with me even from your vehicle or outdoors, ensuring you're within Oregon's borders and can ensure your privacy and internet connection. If you meet with me from outside your home, I’ll need the address of where you are physically located.
Making Your Entrance: You're invited to step into our session as you are—no need to put on a specific persona. However, if you find it helpful, taking a few minutes before our session to reflect and settle your mind can create a smoother transition into our conversation. If your session is in the middle of your work day, I often find it's helpful to start with a brief guided mindfulness to help ground and transition into the session. Sometimes clients take notes between sessions to plan something to talk about; other clients do not prepare at all… either way works for me.
Your Comfort Matters! I want you to feel entirely at ease during our time together. Fidgeting, stimming, or moving around is not just allowed, but welcomed. Prepare some tea, take off your shoes, and grab a blanket and pillows if you like. Your comfort zone is our comfort zone. If you find it helpful to move your body during therapy, we can even experiment with you walking and talking outside during our session. While it might be a bit lively, if you can maintain a strong internet connection and privacy by strolling in a peaceful area, let's give it a try and see how it suits you.
Your well-being and comfort are my top priorities. So, let's embark on this journey together—creating a space that resonates with you and embracing every facet of your unique experience.
Session length: A therapy hour is 50-minutes because the other ten minutes are for writing my clinical notes and quickly using the restroom before my next client session. However, I believe in flexibility, so if we need more time, we can discuss extending future sessions.
What Do We Discuss in Therapy?
Our time together is dedicated entirely to you, providing a space where any topic you wish to explore is welcomed. While I may suggest areas for discussion and seek clarification, the focus is on your thoughts and feelings. Here's an overview of the diverse subjects that often find their way into our counseling sessions:
Relationship Dynamics: Whether it's navigating romantic partnerships, family relationships, friendships, or interactions with colleagues, we can delve into your connections.
Professional Pathways: Your career aspirations, challenges, and growth opportunities are meaningful areas for us to explore.
Navigating Change: Life's transitions, such as embarking on new careers, forming or ending relationships, adapting to changes, or acclimating to a new environment, are open topics.
Emotional Landscape: From addressing depression and anxiety to understanding the impact of events like COVID-19, we're here to support your emotional well-being.
Trauma Healing: If you've experienced trauma, we can work together to heal and move towards a place of strength.
Personal Growth: Overcoming obstacles like feeling stuck, inadequacy, or a lack of motivation can be central to our discussions.
Substance Awareness: Substance use concerns are met with an open, non-judgmental space for exploration. However, it's important to know that I do not have extensive training and experience working with problematic substance use and I will recommend you work with a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) if you need support with active addiction.
Alleviating Isolation: The experience of loneliness and its effects on your life is a valid and important topic.
Managing Intrusive Thoughts: We can develop strategies to handle patterns of obsessive thinking.
Social Context: Exploring themes like oppression, upbringing in restrictive environments, and navigating issues related to race, gender, and sexuality is encouraged.
Spirituality and Existence: Your spiritual journey and existential questions have a meaningful place in our conversations.
Coping with Loss: Processing feelings of grief, death, and the existential aspects of these experiences is part of our dialogue.
Neurodiversity: Understanding and embracing your unique neurodivergent experiences is an important aspect of our discussions.
Gender and Sexuality Exploration: Your journey in understanding your gender identity and sexuality is met with respect and support.
Psychedelic Integration: If you've explored psychedelic experiences, I can help you integrate these insights into your life journey.
Your individuality is celebrated here. As you embark on this therapeutic journey, we're committed to fostering understanding, healing, and progress across the spectrum of topics that matter most to you.
Understanding Professional Roles: Counselor, Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Life Coach, and Social Worker
In the realm of mental health and personal growth, there are distinct roles that professionals assume to provide guidance and support. Each role has its own unique approach and qualifications, governed by specific guidelines. Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Counselor/Therapist: These terms encompass a wide spectrum of professionals who aid individuals in their journey towards well-being. Counselors, often holding master's degrees from nationally recognized universities, follow guidelines outlined by the State (e.g., Oregon). They receive a comprehensive education covering psychotherapy and frequently specialize through ongoing training and supervision. Counselors engage in various forms of therapy and tailor their approach to the individual's needs. They share similarities with social workers, who also pursue master's degrees and often adopt a systems perspective. Both counselors and social workers do not possess the authority to prescribe medications, but they are mandated to report instances of abuse.
Social Worker: Similar to counselors, social workers typically hold master's degrees and approach therapy with a systems perspective. They may work in various settings, including private practices, state organizations, and nonprofits. Their responsibilities often extend beyond therapy.
Psychologist: Psychologists hold PhD degrees and their expertise spans both research and clinical practice. While some psychologists provide psychotherapy, many also contribute to research, education, and other areas of psychology.
Psychiatrist: With a medical degree, psychiatrists focus on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, often using medications as a primary intervention. Although some psychiatrists offer psychotherapy, their main role often centers around medication management.
Life Coach: Life coaches specialize in assisting individuals with specific aspects of their lives, like career goals or personal projects. Their emphasis lies in setting and achieving future-oriented objectives. Life coaches have their own distinct certification process, separate from the counseling field's master's degree, clinical training, and supervision.
What Can You Expect from Therapy?
Welcome to a safe haven where you can be your authentic self without fear or judgment. My aim is to guide you towards your goals, providing a compassionate space to address both painful and positive aspects of your life. We'll work through fears, shame, and obstacles together, nurturing your self-awareness and empowering you for a more satisfying life.
Initially, we'll talk about the challenges that may be holding you back. I'll learn about your interests, relationships, and background. From there, we'll define your therapy goals and explore them more deeply.
Healing isn't always linear; sometimes things might feel tougher before they get better. This often indicates progress. As we use various therapeutic techniques, including mindfulness, we'll navigate these ups and downs together.
I integrate different therapy models, primarily focusing on a body-centered, mindfulness-based approach. This involves tuning into your body's responses during our discussions. No prior mindfulness experience is necessary to benefit – it's about experiencing the present and creating meaningful change.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a top priority. Our discussions are kept confidential, with a few exceptions required by law (such as reporting abuse of children or vulnerable adults).
Will you receive a diagnosis?
Diagnosing isn't my primary focus with therapy clients. My main goal is to understand and support you. So, if that includes diagnosis then we can explore that together.
How long will therapy last?
The duration of therapy varies for each individual. Some clients achieve their goals in a few months, while others may continue for longer. I invest my attention to each of my clients as if it is a long-term relationship. Some clients work with me for awhile, take a break, and then come back to do more work later. It's a collaborative decision we make based on your progress and needs.
What do the letters after my name mean? (LPC, NCC, CRC, MS)
LPC: This stands for "Licensed Professional Counselor." It means I have met the state requirements to practice counseling in Oregon.
MS: It stands for "Masters of Science." I completed a 3-year masters degree in counseling from Portland State University. During my studies, I worked with clients at PSU’s Counseling Clinic and supervised peers as they met with clients for the first time. I also finished a 2-year training and internship at the META Counseling Clinic which specialized in Hakomi, a mindfulness-based and body-centered approach to counseling.
NCC: These letters represent "National Certified Counselor." I passed a comprehensive exam to show my skills to the National Board of Certified Counselors.
CRC: It stands for "Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor." At PSU, I studied disability rights, disability laws, and how to help people with disabilities. The term "rehab" here refers to physical and mental disabilities. This focus isn't commonly covered in most counseling programs. I do not have additional training working with problematic substance use.
What are identities that I hold and why does it matter?
I deeply value the significance of identities and how they shape our perspectives, experiences, and interactions. Let's explore the identities I hold and why they matter:
Neurodivergent: I am neurodivergent, an identity that encompasses my unique cognitive and neurological makeup. As someone who is late-diagnosed autistic with subclinical ADHD symptoms, I've embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery. This revelation initially carried a veil of secrecy due to internalized shame and denial, but I've come to recognize the immense importance of embracing my neurodiversity. It's intrinsic to who I am, offering both strengths and aspects that can be challenging. My understanding of neurodiversity informs my approach, fostering an inclusive and compassionate therapeutic environment where your own neurodivergent experiences are embraced.
White: My racial identity as a white individual is an essential part of who I am. It shapes my perspectives and highlights the necessity of acknowledging privilege and understanding the complexities of the world we live in. I am committed to continuous self-awareness and learning, and I bring this awareness into our therapeutic relationship to ensure your experiences are respected and heard.
Queer: Embracing my queer identity reflects my commitment to inclusivity and understanding the diverse range of identities and experiences. As a cis-male, I am dedicated to fostering a space where your own gender and sexuality are celebrated and honored. I tend to receive "passing privilege," which means most people assume I'm hetero until I tell them differently, or they get to know me.
Invisible Disability: I've come to understand the complexities of hidden disabilities through my personal experience with Hashimoto's – a thyroid condition that isn't visible from the outside. Dealing with Hashimoto's has shown me the significance of struggles that might not be apparent at first glance. Interestingly, when my thyroid symptoms first showed up in my mid 20s, I was at first misdiagnosed with depression. This made me realize the importance of empathy and creating spaces that cater to everyone's needs. This understanding guides my approach when we talk. I want to make sure I truly hear and comprehend your needs, whether they're easily seen or not. It's essential that you feel at ease and understand that your experiences are valued. Our interactions are centered around making you feel acknowledged and supported, regardless of the challenges you're facing.
Healing from Developmental Trauma: My journey of healing from developmental trauma informs my approach as a fellow traveler on your path. I have greatly benefited from different modes of therapy throughout my lifetime, and continue to regularly meet with my own therapist. I understand the transformative power of healing and the intricacies of the journey, allowing me to stand beside you with empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Other relevant identities: I like to joke that "I was raised in the punk scene," as I spent my late teens to early 30s living in San Francisco then Portland spending my non-working hours writing zines, going to DIY shows, and singing (mostly screaming) in several bands as well as playing experimental electronic music. I took my role as an artist quite seriously and hoped my art would help other people. At age 35, I "retired" from music and decided to go to college to become a counselor while working at an independent record label. I am so thankful I took the time to focus on being a punk and artist… however, I have had to unlearn some of the rigidity and negativity that is rampant in that scene. I still love experimental and punk/hardcore and post-punk, as well as ambient electronic music.
Each of these identities matters because they shape how I connect with you, honor your experiences, and provide support. I am committed to creating a safe and open therapeutic space where your identities are acknowledged and embraced. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how these identities influence our work together, please know that I'm here to listen and engage in open dialogue.
What is "Neuroception"?
"Neuroception" is the silent sentinel of our subconscious nervous system, always vigilant as it scans our surroundings to instinctively determine our safety. It influences not only how we interpret the world around us but also guides our reactions to others. In times of adversity, our nervous system can become hyper-alert to potential threats, leading us to struggle in finding that sense of safety, ease, and relaxation, even in the presence of our closest loved ones. The encouraging news is that neuroception is not solely confined to the shadows; it can be brought into our conscious awareness and refined through mindful observation, inquisitiveness, and an embracing openness.
In the therapeutic space, you have a secure haven to mindfully delve into your inner landscape. Stephen Porges coined the term "Neuroception," and it's through his insight that we come to appreciate the profound ways our neural responses shape our experiences. By engaging with this concept, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. If you're curious to learn more, I encourage you to explore further within Porges' work, also known as "Polyvagal Theory."