In efforts to reach and serve our community, some of us are currently contributing writers for popular and professional publications and others have taught large, well-attended seminars for corporations including Microsoft, Puget Power, Boise Cascade, Children's Hospital, and provided Continuing Education training for physicians through the University of Washington, and firefighters through the Washington Coalition of Firefighters. We are often sought as public speakers and serve on expert panels for local civic organizations and TV stations.
This Counseling Information Packet will familiarize you with our physical location, hours of operation, joint philosophy, links to individual websites, what you can expect of us, and what we will expect of you. It is yours to keep for future reference. Be sure to ask us to explain anything that you do not understand.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
- Alcoholism
- Adult Children of Alcoholics and Associated Fallout
- Spouses of Alcoholics
- Troubled Relationships-fear of intimacy, rage, fear of abandonment, compulsions
- Transactional Analysis
- Post Traumatic Stress and Neurolinguistic Programming, EMDR, group therapy
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks (individual and group therapy)
- Child Therapies--Play Therapy, Parenting Advice, Family Therapy, Self Esteem, Social skills
- Adolescent Issues
- Conscious Parenting- Values, Time prioritization, Importance of Joint Decision-making
- Marriage Counseling
- Stepparenting and Blended Families
- Fertility/Adoption/Miscarriages/ Marital Adjustments/ Post-Partum Depression
- Compulsive Spending
- Goal Setting, Lifestyle Decisions (and coping with sudden advancements or setbacks)
- Spiritual Healing in Crushing Defeats/ Humiliations
TREATMENT
Much of the time you spend in counseling will consist of talking about issues you bring up. The success of your therapy will rest largely on your openness, active participation and commitment to change. It is important for you to be specific about your difficulties, your goals and the type of counseling you desire. You can obtain your therapist's opinion and feedback at any point. I believe that problems can be identified, and solutions defined, in a straightforward and understandable manner. It is possible to describe how therapy works , and I encourage clients to ask any questions they may have regarding their treatment.
The method of treatment will vary. It might include insight counseling, problem solving, communication skill building, marital therapy, parent counseling, and/or relaxation training. Treatment may also involve other members of your family, depending on the nature of the problem. Your therapist may assign therapy-enhancing interventions to be completed between sessions, believing independent skills practice and integration of new ways of behaving, thinking, to be essential in speeding the process to the successful living after therapy.
The length of counseling will depend on the nature of your problems, your goals, and how quickly progress is made toward achieving your goals. Typically, counseling sessions are on a once-a-week basis until less frequent meetings are needed. The time frame can be either short-term or long-term. Together, we will determine the session frequency that will best meet your needs.
Although assessment and counseling can bring about desired changes, this cannot be guaranteed and there are some risks involved. These may include an increased awareness of unpleasant physical symptoms, negative feelings and thoughts, and/or self-defeating behaviors. These are a normal part of the treatment process and are important for you and your therapist to discuss.
When and how to end counseling are also important issues for you and your therapist to discuss. Although you may end counseling at any time, we strongly encourage you to discuss this decision with your therapist at least one week in advance. This will give you and your therapist an opportunity to discuss the reasons for your decision and bring the counseling relation to an end. Typically, counseling ends as goals are accomplished and meetings are scheduled less frequently. Even after counseling ends, "check-in" or "booster" sessions are available to address further concerns, if and when they develop. Your therapist, like your family physician, is an ongoing resource for you to use as necessary.
APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY
Appointments are scheduled according to the preference and restrictions of each individual therapist, Monday through Friday, 7a.m. to 6p.m. Two-hour premium evening and weekend appointments can sometimes be negotiated at a surcharge-added rate for non-insurance clients, and conversely, if you are close enough to our office to be able to come in for last-minute cancellation sessions, fees can sometimes be negotiated down. Hospice patients or regular travelers unable to always come to the office for appointments can sometimes negotiate for phone sessions if 4 sessions are paid in advance and a credit balance is maintained. Be aware that not all therapists offer these options and it is best to specify your circumstances if you need these so that you can be matched accordingly.
After you have spoken to your therapist by phone and arranged an appointment time, we recommend you allow at least an extra 15 minutes on the day of that first appointment to find our office and fill out information in the file your therapist places in the file holder in the waiting room. When you are finished filling out the face sheet, push the button by your therapist's name on the roster next to that file holder. Your therapist will respond to the light signal in their office and come to usher you back.
If you are unable to
keep a scheduled appointment, it is imperative that you alert your therapist as soon as
possible and no later than 24 hours in advance. This will provide ample time for you to
arrange for an alternate appointment time and will make your vacated time available to
another client. In situations arising from inclement weather or transportation emergencies
phone counseling during your scheduled time will often be available.
You will be charged for all appointments made but not canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Exceptions to this are circumstances which we would both define as an emergency. Most insurance carriers will not pay for missed appointments.
TELEPHONE AVAILABILITY
Our telephone (425) 455-9265, is connected to a voice messaging service that is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of our therapists have a private phone number they will offer you at the time of your first appointment. Your call will be returned as soon as possible within our working hours. If you have an emergency, the Crisis Clinic's line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the number is (206) 461-3222. They will be glad to talk with you in a crisis, after hours, if other provisions have not been made by your therapist.
DIRECTIONS
Click here for Individual websites for the following therapists: (UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT PRESENT)
Your therapist seeks input on challenging cases on a regular basis with practice consultants in the interests of providing quality care and presents information using first names only.
If you will be using your health insurance to help pay for the cost of our services, your insurance company will require some degree of access to what is otherwise confidential information. At minimum, this will be a diagnosis and dates of service, but could extend to more detailed information. If your insurance carrier is involved in managing care/costs, additional information may be required in an effort to receive authorization for services on your behalf. Some carriers require written consent, while with others, your consent is implied if a claim is filed.
If you were referred by a client referral agency, they will share directly with your therapist any pertinent information about you. This will insure a better client-to-therapist match. In most cases, client referral agencies charge a referral or membership fee to the counseling center.
CHILDREN IN WAITING ROOM
We are unable to arrange for a secretary or aide to care for your child(ren) when you are in counseling for your 50-minute session. It would be most productive and safest for you to independently coordinate child care services.
Marlena Love, MSW, ACSW
marlena.love@comcast.net