FAQ

My rate is $120 per 50 minute session with individuals, couples, and families. Intake sessions are 90 minutes for $140.

All of this depends on you!

Most people see the best and most rapid effects when:

• They come weekly
• They apply what they have learned in the therapy session to their real world.

Many times people can resolve some main symptoms in 8 to 12 session. This, of course, is dependent on individual problems. There is no cookie cutter treatment for everyone!

Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis that stays on your permanent health care record in order to receive counseling.

They usually dictate how many sessions you may receive and the type of therapy you are permitted to engage in. Mindful Wellness Counseling believes this should be decided privately between you and your therapist, and therefore is not on any insurance panels.

However, if you would like to use your insurance you may qualify for Out of Network Coverage. This means that Mindful Wellness Counseling can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

 If you want to engage in therapy, but the commute is half the battle. Or, if you live outside of Vancouver, but live in Washington and want to work together, teletherapy may be a great fit you.

I use a platform called doxy.me. It does not require any downloading of software or special accounts. All you need is a computer and a special link that I would send to you.

If you do not have access to a computer or have a smartphone, telephone sessions can also be arranged.

Teletherapy increases access to care as it helps to overcome barriers such as distance, lack of time, or transportation issues.

You want to make sure that you have a private space and time set aside so that you feel able to engage in your therapy session.

1. It combines physical activity with psychotherapy.
2. There is a hypothesis that walking can be conducive to the process of self-discovery, and help people get “unstuck” when confronting difficult issues.
3. It takes away the anxiety of confronting difficult issues in traditional face-to-face therapy.
4. Therapy sessions tend to be more relaxed and there is a natural healing power in nature.

1. It is not a strenuous activity.
2. It is not meant to push people beyond their physical limits. The client sets the pace of the walk.

There are several options: The Vancouver School of Arts and Academic has a track, or Arnada Park is down the street from the office. These are great options for busy days or impromptu walk and talk sessions. We can also schedule a meeting down at the Vancouver Waterfront or Esther Short Park for a more scenic option.

Not necessarily. We can assess the need for this in the first session. However, couples do not seek out help until they are at least 7 years into an issue. This means that there is a lot of built-up resentment and unhealthy communication skills that will likely come out. If a couple starts their therapeutic process together and it becomes clear that they should have their own individual sessions, we can get that scheduled.

The true number of people who struggle is not clear as they do not often seek out resources. 

Anxiety disorder–which is what health experts call an anxiety that persists to the point that it interferes with one’s life–is the most common mental illness in the U.S. In its various forms, ranging from very specific phobias to generalized anxiety disorder, it afflicts 19 million Americans.
And yet, according to a survey published January 2001 by researchers from UCLA, less than 25% of Americans with anxiety disorders receive any kind of treatment for their condition.

DBT looks at this idea of dialectics, having two opposing wants/needs/feelings, and learning how to best cope with such opposing issues. For example, I have encountered many patients who have feelings of loneliness but are also afraid to get involved with others for fear of rejection, abandonment, or judgment. DBT helps look at this sort of situation from multiple perspectives to find the healthiest option.

DBT also has 4 skill building modules: mindfulness (our ability to stay in the moment without judgment), distress tolerance (skills needed to make it through emotionally difficult situations), emotional regulation (skills needed to help us have a more balanced view), and interpersonal effectiveness (developing and maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships).

Yes! There are three main attitudes of mindfulness practice that have an overwhelming impact on one’s success: commitment, self-discipline, and intentionality. With these three attitudes anyone can learn mindfulness.

Yes.

Men struggle with mindfulness at times because they are not used to opening up and being vulnerable, which is where the magic happens. It’s not masculine to admit that you need some place of sanctuary. Men are used to hashing out the events of the day while knocking back a cold one. The problem with this is that the stress never really leaves, and drinking is not the best way to cope with stress.

We have to approach our mind and emotions with curiosity to help men develop the courage to embrace vulnerability. The practice of mindfulness will help men feel more grounded, stronger, and self-assured. It isn’t just about the mind, but the body as well. You become attuned to where your stress sits in your body and you learn how to release that stress.

Start with brief, daily practices. Set aside a time where you can practice mindful breathing (a place and time where there will be no interruptions) and practice for 5 minutes a day. Start small. Half of the work is just starting a practice. There are many online introductory tools to get started as well as books.

Mindfulness has been utilized with Veterans, First Responders and Police Officers, and even large companies, such as Google, and sports organizations such as the Seattle Seahawks.

For First Responders, attention will get fatigued under high stress. Mindfulness is used to help strengthen attention, which is imperative when on the job.

A growing body of research suggests that yoga and meditation may reduce the stress that tends to distress bodies stuck sitting at desks for hours at a time. Companies believe that limiting stress will translate into fewer employee absences, lower health care costs and higher morale, which hopefully allows people to stay longer and not burn out. Approximately one-fourth of all major American employers now deliver some version of stress reduction, according to journalist David Gelles, whose book, Mindful Work, explores the increasing presence of meditation and yoga inside the business world.