Frequently Asked Questions

I accept OHP Medicaid Health Share of Oregon, Medicare, and OOP (out of pocket). Sometimes Care Oregon will assign a managed care insurance, which I may not be able to bill. t's confusing, I know. Check your insurance card and if in doubt, call the number on the back of your card.

All insurances, including Medicaid, OHP, Medicare, etc require proof that therapy is medically necessary. Personal growth is not considered a viable medical necessity. As a result, I am required to provide a mental health diagnosis from the DSM 5TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) ICD 11 (International Classification of Diseases) codes. We will discuss this throughout our work to make sure that we both agree with your diagnosis and that we choose the least stigmatizing accurate diagnosis for your issues.

Somatic refers to physical sensations and experiences and how you relate to these.

Within a session, I might 

• guide you to pay attention to physical sensations and trace them back to memories and events;
• engage in gentle movements, sounds, & sensations while constantly checking in with feelings, thoughts, and emotions coming up.

When appropriate, I integrate elements of both CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) in my work based on an individual's presenting concerns, preferences, and treatment goals. Both CBT and DBT emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This personalized approach allows for flexibility and tailoring of treatment to best meet the needs of each client.

Yes. I prefer to call it "awareness practice" because "mindfulness" often kicks us back into thinking. I'm more inclined to coach people to tune into sensations both inside themselves and outside themselves. There's nothing wrong with thinking, but trying to stop yourself from thinking is a fruitless effort. Becoming aware of the rest of your senses brings a multi-dimensional experience to awareness.

No. Especially in the beginning of therapy, clients will give only the broad brushstrokes of what happened to them. In my experience, as we become more comfortable with the therapeutic alliance, and as you become more able to tolerate uncomfortable feelings, dealing straightforwardly with the facts of your past with a compassionate witness can be extremely therapeutic. Trauma informed means I respect your boundaries and the pace of your process. 

Equipoise means the balance of opposites. A state in which opposing forces balance each other is both dynamic and stable. This is true in the body as well as in emotional states. It also means that as humans, we're not trying to get rid of or hide from anything. We need to be able to play within a spectrum of possible options. This view is in alignment with Buddhist practices of non-attachment, as well as with Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is based on Buddhist teachings.

In Buddhist psychology, equipoise aligns with the concept of "Middleness" or "The Middle Way." This principle, famously taught by the Buddha, emphasizes finding balance between extremes of indulgence and asceticism. Equipoise in Buddhist psychology involves cultivating a state of inner balance, where one remains centered amidst life's ups and downs, neither grasping onto pleasant experiences nor resisting unpleasant ones. It involves accepting the impermanent and ever-changing nature of existence which leads to liberation from suffering.

In both DBT and Buddhist psychology, equipoise involves practicing mindfulness, which enables individuals to observe their thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. Through mindfulness, one can develop greater self-awareness and insight, allowing for more skillful responses to life's challenges. Equipoise encourages individuals to cultivate compassion for themselves and others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and empathy.

Like the lotus flower, we too have the ability to grow and rise out of mud or difficult circumstances to blossom into our full radiance. The lotus symbolizes the journey of transformation and growth. Its ability to thrive in adverse conditions reflects resilience and strength in the face of adversity. 

In Buddhist teachings, the lotus is a powerful symbol of enlightenment, mirroring the journey of the soul towards awakening and liberation from suffering. Moreover, the lotus's unfolding petals signify the gradual unfolding of spiritual consciousness. The lotus serves as a reminder of the beauty that can emerge from the depths of darkness and the potential for spiritual growth amidst life's challenges.Therapy helps us in this process.