Licenses & Credentials

Q: Are you a licensed therapist in Washington State?
A: Yes. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling (MS), and I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP). These credentials ensure I meet professional standards and can provide care for a wide range of mental health and substance use concerns.

Q: What is your experience with counseling and therapy in Seattle?
A: I’ve been a counselor for over 25 years, working in hospitals, residential treatment centers, and outpatient settings. I support clients facing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, substance use disorders, and more, blending clinical expertise with real-world experience.

Specialized Training & Approaches

Q: What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and do you use it?
A: ACT is an evidence-based approach that helps clients cope through difficult thoughts and emotions while committing to actions aligned with their values. It’s especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions, supporting meaningful and balanced living. I predominantly use ACT in my sessions, although I integrate a variety of approaches and don’t limit my work to one modality.

Q: Do you provide therapy for insomnia?
A: Yes. I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I, Stanford), a structured approach that helps identify and change thoughts and behaviors interfering with sleep. CBT-I supports better sleep, improved mood, and overall well-being.

Q: What is CBT-I and how can it help me sleep?
A: CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) is a short-term, evidence-based therapy that helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and improve sleep quality by changing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

Q: Who can benefit from CBT-I?
A: Adults struggling with insomnia, whether due to stress, anxiety, depression, or life changes, can benefit from CBT-I in Seattle or online.

Q: How does a CBT-I session work?
A: Sessions focus on identifying sleep patterns, building healthy habits, and using strategies like sleep scheduling, relaxation techniques, and cognitive tools to reduce nighttime worry.

Q: How long does CBT-I take?
A: Most clients see improvement after 6–8 sessions, with tools to maintain long-term healthy sleep.

Q: Do you provide CBT-I therapy in Seattle?
A: Yes. I offer CBT-I therapy in-person in Ballard and via telehealth across Washington State.

Q: Do you provide treatment for substance use disorders?
A: Yes. As a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) in Washington State, I provide counseling for alcohol, and other substance use. Therapy focuses on understanding triggers, creating sobriety protection plans, building healthier habits, and maintaining durable recovery.

Q: Do you treat eating disorders?
A: Yes. I provide therapy for eating disorders with compassionate, individualized strategies. I’ve supported clients in outpatient, Partial Hospitalization, inpatient, and hospital settings, helping them rebuild a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. 

Q: How do you integrate experiential learning into therapy?
A: Experiential learning goes beyond traditional talk therapy, incorporating creative and activity-based approaches, like music, art, or literary readings to make sessions engaging and personally meaningful. These creative strategies can be validating and insightful, helping clients feel seen, inspired, and supported even during challenging issues.

Getting Started With Therapy

Q: How do I know if I should start therapy?
A: Many people seek therapy when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to move forward. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit. Therapy offers a safe space to explore challenges, process emotions, and create a path toward growth and healing.

Q: Do you offer in-person therapy in Seattle?
A: Yes. I provide in-person therapy in Seattle, near neighborhoods including Ballard, Magnolia, Fremont, and South Lake Union. In-person sessions are ideal for clients who prefer face-to-face support.

Q: Do you offer online counseling/Telehealth sessions in Washington State?
A: Absolutely. Secure telehealth sessions are available for clients anywhere in Washington State with an internet connection, providing convenient access from home, especially for those with busy schedules or living outside the Seattle area.

Q: Do you offer Walk and Talk Therapy in Seattle?
A: Yes. Walk and Talk Therapy is available in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, which is convenient for clients from nearby neighborhoods such as Magnolia, Queen Anne, and Fremont. This approach combines movement, nature, and counseling—walking side by side at a comfortable pace instead of sitting in an office. Many clients find it more relaxed and easier to open up while benefiting from the calming effects of being outdoors.

Therapy for Mental Health Concerns

Q: Can therapy help with anxiety, depression, or insomnia?
A: Yes. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and insomnia using evidence-based approaches. For sleep difficulties, I specialize in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia), a proven short-term treatment that helps reset your sleep patterns and increase sleep quality. Therapy provides tools to manage overwhelming thoughts, improve mood, and build healthier coping strategies.

 Q: Do you offer ACT therapy in Seattle?
A: Yes. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with clients in Seattle who want to build resilience, manage difficult emotions, and create a more meaningful life. ACT helps you accept what you can’t control, take action toward your values, and live more fully in the present.

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Q: Can I get help for alcohol use or addiction in Seattle?
A: Yes. As a Licensed Addiction Counselor (SUDP), I provide counseling for alcohol and drug use. Therapy focuses on understanding triggers, building sobriety protection plans, and supporting your recovery goals.

Q: Can therapy help if I’m struggling with both mental health and addiction?
A: Absolutely. Many people experience both mental health concerns (like depression, trauma, or anxiety) alongside substance use. I provided an integrated approach to mental health and substance use issues, sequencing our work in a way that fits your needs and maximizes effectiveness.

Q: Do you provide relapse prevention counseling?
A: Yes. Relapse prevention is an important part of recovery. In therapy, we identify your high-risk situations, develop strategies to manage cravings, and build a plan to maintain long-term change.

Life Transitions & Purpose

Q: Can therapy help with major life changes like divorce, grief, or becoming an empty nester?
A: Yes. Life transitions can be overwhelming and bring up unexpected emotions. I work with clients in Seattle navigating divorce, grief, empty nest adjustments, and other life stage transitions. Therapy provides space to process change and rediscover a sense of purpose.

Q: Can therapy help me find purpose or direction in life?
A: Many clients come to therapy when they feel uncertain about the next chapter of life. Together, we explore values, strengths, and possibilities so you can reconnect with meaning and create a path that feels authentic to you.

Practical Details

Q: Do you provide a Superbill for insurance reimbursement?
A: Yes. I am an out-of-network provider, but I can provide a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your plan.

Q: Where is the Granite Grove Counseling office located?
A: Granite Grove Counseling is located at 5227 Ballard Ave NW, Suite 8, Seattle, WA 98107, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. The office is near Hattie’s Hat and above Kings Hardware. Sessions are by appointment only.

Q: Is parking available at your Seattle office?
A: Yes, my Ballard office has convenient paid and free parking options nearby, making it easier to attend in-person sessions without added stress.

Q: What clients do you serve?

A: I currently serve client’s in individual therapy