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These are some of the questions I am asked on a regular basis. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.
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What are your qualifications? I earned my Master of Arts Degree in Applied Behavioral Science with emphasis on Systems Counseling from Bastyr University. I am a Registered Counselor in Washington State and an Associate Member of AAMFT and WAMFT. I currently serve as an Associate Board Member At Large for WAMFT and I am on the Board of Directors of Connections, a regional association of mental health practitioners. I began working in this field over 25 years ago, as co-facilitator of anxiety and agoraphobia groups for TERRAP (Territorial Apprehension). I continue to dedicate my life to acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to serve my clients as a compassionate, effective therapist.
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What should I look for when choosing a therapist? The most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship that forms between you and your therapist. It is essential that you choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. You are, after all, making yourself vulnerable when you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to another person. Choose a therapist who will challenge you to move beyond the limiting beliefs of who you think you are, helping you explore ways to make lasting, positive changes in your life.
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Is what I say to my therapist kept in confidence? Yes. You have the right to expect absolute privacy and confidentiality in the alliance you have with your therapist. With few exceptions, your therapist is prevented by law from discussing what you say during your sessions with anyone else without your consent.
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What can I expect if I choose you as my therapist? The treatment I provide is centered on your needs. Our first work will be to clarify your immediate concerns and establish goals. Throughout the course of our therapeautic relationship, I will provide support and guidance toward helping you achieve your objectives. Together we will develop strategies to improve your life by making positive changes. My approach is holistic, one of healing mind, body and spirit. I take into account your life roles and responsibilities, as well as cultural, religious and spiritual orientation, life cycle and medical history. I am receptive to your feedback about what is and isn't working in therapy so that we can make adjustments accordingly. If you choose me as your therapist, you will be heard.
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What are your office policies?
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How do I contact you in case of an emergency? Should you need to contact me before our next scheduled appointment, please call (425) 478-1644. If I am unavailable, I will return your call as soon as possible. To insure your privacy, all messages left on this line are confidential and are retrieved only by me. If your situation is urgent, you should call 911, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, or contact a crisis intervention center such as Care Crisis Response Services at (800) 584-3578, or Crisis Clinic at (866) 427-4747.
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Should I seek treatment for depression? Feeling down occasionally is a part of life. It happens to everyone. But when these types of feelings dominate your mood and mindset, they may be symptoms of depression. The self-exam questionnaire below is a tool that can help determine if you should seek treatment for depression.
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This questionnaire consists of nine statements. Read each statement carefully, then pick the number that best describes the way you have been feeling during the past two weeks, including today, using the following numbers: 0 - Not at all 1 - Several days 2 - More than half the days 3 - Nearly every day
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things. 2. Feeling down or depressed. 3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much. 4. Feeling tired or having little energy. 5. Poor appetite or overeating. 6. Feeling bad about yourself - that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down. 7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television. 8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite: being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual. 9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way.
Interpreting your score: If you scored in the 10-14 range, you should probably seek treatment. If you scored a 15 or higher, seeking treatment is strongly recommended.
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