Frequently asked questions

Professional Counselor Associate (PCA) is the title assigned by the state of Oregon regulatory agency (OBLPCT) that oversees some types of mental health counselors and therapists. A Professional Counselor Associate is a person who has completed the master's level education needed to work as a mental health counselor but has not yet met the minimum required counseling hours (1,900 hours in Oregon) to be fully licensed by the state. PCAs work independently but receive ongoing supervision from a clinician professional who helps oversee work with clients. PCAs may also be called "Registered Associates" and used to be called "Licensed Professional Counselor Interns/LPC Interns" until the OBLPCT issued a regulatory name change in August of 2021. 

At this time, I do not bill insurance and am not presently paneled with any insurance companies. 

You may be able to use your out-of-network mental health insurance benefits to pay for counseling. We can talk more about this. I can also accept Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA and FSA). 

Yes, there are several benefits to cash pay, even if you have insurance: 

• Confidentiality - insurance companies require, at minimum, a client name, dates of service, and a mental health diagnosis to pay (or reimburse you) for therapy sessions. With cash payment, no mental health information will need to go on your permanent medical record as it does when using insurance.
• You have more freedom in choosing a counselor that is a good fit for you without finding someone "in-network" or who may not be culturally competent.
• You can receive counseling services for needs that aren't "billable" to insurance, such as relationship concerns, communication needs, or other personal issues.
• You and I get to decide the frequency and length of treatment versus following what your insurance plan covers. 
• You have more flexibility in your goals and treatment options for counseling.

It is common for Professional Counselor Associates to charge lower rates than their fully licensed counterparts. It is also common for some clinicians in private practice to charge reduced rates when taking private pay (not billing insurance). Many licensed counselors charge a higher rate and bill insurance, but the insurance companies pay only a portion of their fees. 

If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please do so at least 24 hours in advance when possible. Sessions canceled with less than 24-hour notice may result in a $50 cancelation fee, depending on the nature of the circumstances. You can call, email, or text about cancellation and rescheduling. 

I grew up in the Christian faith. My faith has been foundational and the driving force behind my desire to provide acceptance, compassion, and understanding to all individuals I encounter in the counseling room.

While my personal faith is an integral part of my life, I recognize that there are several perspectives within and outside of the Christian faith. I combine this personal perspective with my professional, ethical responsibility to not impose my beliefs on others and honor my clients' beliefs. I will always leave the option of spiritual integration up to you. Some people want to incorporate aspects of their spiritual life into counseling. In contrast, others (whether or not they have spiritual or religious beliefs or practices) choose to leave it out.

I am not available for 24-hour emergency crisis intervention. If you or your family member experiences a mental health emergency, please do one of the following: 

• Call 9-1-1
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room 
• Law Enforcement: Copline:  https://www.copline.org  or 1-800-267-5463
• Call Lane County's 24/7 White Bird Crisis Services Line at 541-687-4000
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or 1-800-273-8255)
• Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ 
• Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)  https://www.crisistextline.org 

If you are an existing client, you can contact me once you are safe. This can be to check in, update me on your situation, and potentially move your upcoming appointment to an earlier date.