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Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. Here are answers to the questions I hear most. If yours isn't here, I'm happy to answer it during a free 15-minute consultation.
Getting started
How do I get started? It takes four steps:
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Book a free 15-minute consultation.
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Fill out a short new client form.
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If we both feel it's a good fit, we'll choose a time for your first intake session.
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Before the intake, you'll receive an email with a link to the intake paperwork.
Are you accepting new clients? Yes. I currently have space for new couples and individuals.
What happens in the free consultation? It's a relaxed 15-minute conversation over the phone or video call. You tell me what's bringing you in, you can ask me anything, and we both get a sense of whether working together feels right. There's no pressure to commit.
What if only one of us is ready for therapy? That's very common. Many couples begin with one partner feeling more hopeful than the other. The consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions, and I make sure both partners feel heard from the first session.
About couples therapy
How does couples therapy work? We meet regularly, usually weekly, in sessions of 50 minutes. Together we look at the pattern that keeps repeating between you (the same argument, the silence, the distance), understand the feelings underneath it, and practice new ways of turning toward each other.
How do we know if we need couples therapy? Common signs include having the same fight again and again, avoiding hard conversations, feeling more like roommates than partners, or feeling lonely together. You don't have to be in crisis. Many couples come in to strengthen what's already good.
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)? EFT is an approach to couples therapy built on attachment, the idea that we all need to feel safe and emotionally connected to the people we love. It helps you notice the negative cycle you get caught in together and replace it with more open, responsive connection.
What is the Gottman Method? The Gottman Method is a research-based approach that begins with an assessment of your relationship and focuses on building friendship, managing conflict, and creating shared meaning. I'm Gottman Level 2 trained and use it alongside EFT.
Where does mindfulness fit in? Mindfulness helps us slow down. When emotions run high, it's hard to listen. We practice noticing what's happening in our bodies and in the moment, and bringing that same presence to each other. That relational mindfulness is the thread that runs through my work.
How many sessions will we need? It depends on your goals and what's happening in your relationship. We'll talk about what to expect early on and check in regularly about your progress.
Do you offer premarital counseling? Yes. Premarital therapy is offered as a five-session package. Learn more about premarital therapy.
Do you work with couples dealing with active substance use or domestic violence? No. I don't see couples with active drug use or domestic violence, because that kind of work needs a different level of specialized care. I'm glad to refer you to clinicians who do.
Individual therapy
What do you help individuals with? Anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and life transitions. We explore the emotions behind what you're feeling, build self-awareness, and develop practical tools for feeling steadier.
Do you see families? Yes, family sessions are offered in person only.
Fees, insurance, and logistics
How much does therapy cost?
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Couples intake (50 minutes, includes a couples workbook and assessment): $250
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Couples session (50 minutes): $200
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Couples session (90 minutes): $275
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Individual session (50 minutes): $150
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Individual session (90 minutes): $225
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Premarital therapy: five 50-minute sessions for $900
Ninety-minute sessions are available when the schedule allows. A limited number of reduced-fee spaces are available; you're welcome to ask about them during your consultation. Fees are current as of 8/2026.
Do you take insurance? I'm a private-pay practice and don't bill insurance directly. I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your plan, so I'd recommend checking your out-of-network benefits first.
Do you offer online sessions? Yes. I offer couples and individual therapy by secure, HIPAA-compliant video anywhere in Washington State, and in person in University Place. Family sessions are in person only.
Where is your office? 3560 Bridgeport Way, University Place, WA 98466. My office is located on the bottom floor. There is plenty of parking in the back of the building and you can enter from the back. I welcome clients from Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Fircrest, and surrounding communities.
What does "LMFTA" mean? LMFTA stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. It's the license held by a therapist who has completed a master's degree and is gaining supervised clinical hours toward full licensure. I receive regular clinical supervision from Quantas Ginn.
What are your cancellation and payment policies? Please see my Policies page.
Resources
Can I work through your course or workbook instead of therapy?
Closer (a self-paced course with 9 modules, 18 videos, weekly meditations, and a workbook) and A Path Back to Us (an 11-chapter workbook) are designed so you can use them on your own, with your partner, or alongside therapy. They're educational tools, not a replacement for therapy, and I'd encourage you to reach out to a therapist if you're in distress or your relationship feels unsafe. Explore the resources.
What if I'm in crisis?
Therapy sessions aren't an emergency service. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call the Pierce County Crisis Line at 1-800-576-7764, text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or go to your nearest emergency room.