WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
 

Below you’ll find answers to some of the more common questions I’ve received. Read on to learn more about my services and what I’ve done to help my clients in pursuit of their goals. If you feel like you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, feel free to contact me for more information. I’m always happy to hear from people who are interested in counseling/coaching.

​

General: ​

1. Are sessions in person or telehealth?

Both are options.

​

2. Where are you located?

I am located in the Kitsap Peninsula but have clients all over Washington state.

​

3. How often are sessions?

 I typically see clients biweekly and give homework on off weeks. This of course can be more of less depending on needs. I will always be mindful of you budget as we address concerns.

​​

4.What is counseling or therapy?

We all need help sometimes. Counseling or therapy is a service to identify goals and reduce distressing symptoms to improve ones life. This can be for individuals or family. A diagnosis is given and treatment plan developed with the client to work towards their goals. I work to make it an emotionally safe place to explore your story and make changes you decide on.

​

5. What is the difference between parent coaching and co-parent coaching?

 Parent coaching is psychoeducation, “coaching or counseling “and support to explore, consult on and modify parenting interventions and broaden focus on the needs of the child. No diagnosis is given, however goals are set similar to a treatment plan to make sure we can progress towards your future. My work is especially for post divorce or separating families or simply families who have endured a loss or stressor.

Parent coaching also includes how to communicate effectively with a co-parent.

​

Co-parent coaching involves both partnering parents in separate sessions, to identify communication issues, patterns of interacting of supporting the child’s whole life experience and working for a more cohesive peaceful family life.  

In many co-parent dyads, I offer online coaching as well to supplement our sessions by helping draft and review communication responses to apply skills. This reduces the time needed in coaching as I am available via email coaching frequently. We can make changes as the needs arise so this is excellent for helping patterns change. 

 

​6. Will I be with my co-parent in sessions?

Sessions are separate, at least initially, in co-parent coaching. We will address concerns and set goals and then learn practical ways to change each individuals contribution to tensions or conflict and set boundaries as friendly business partners. Once assessed we have developed skills to do a different “dance”, we may have joint sessions. Some partnering parents do and some do not but the skills can help in either case. Our best outcome is with the engagement of both parents.​

 

7. Are my children involved in parent coaching or co-parent coaching?

We can decide. Children may or may not be involved in many sessions, one exception is a family vision session where I can understand family dynamics and others as we decide our work can help the whole family with some skills.

​

8. Can there be help if just one parent will participate in coaching?

Yes, your stress can be reduced as you apply different strategies that we work on.

​

9. Reunification:

                                What is reunification?

Reunification therapy is often needed when a child and parent have lost relationship somehow. This can be through estrangement, past issues, alliance with one parent post divorce or in some cases alienation. The first step for reunification is for a thorough assessment of the relationship, past quality of the attachment relationship, current barriers, reforming the identity of the future relationship as based on change and new skills. The process is typically not quick as we want to enhance healthy attachment over time and work to change patterns that will stick. In cases of favored parent alliance or alienation by a favored parent, the favored parent is asked to participate as this provide the best support for the child.

​

                            Who will be involved in our session together?

Initially I will see the parent separate from the child. We will be assessing, establishing our own relationship of trust and comfort and setting boundaries and goals. Over time, when parties are ready, we will start short joint sessions, building to longer session to start building new patterns.

                          How long does therapy take? There is no timeline, most cases average 8 months to a year.

                          Is there a diagnosis given in reunification? Usually the diagnosis given is parent child conflict rather than mental health diagnosis. We can identify other issues though and address them as well such as anxiety, depression or trauma amongst many others.

​

9. What do you mean by court involved?

Some cases are working through their divorce or parenting plan or other issues and coaching or reunification services are ordered or simply recommended. Either are considered  court involved due to the focus. I will report to a guardian ad litem of court if asked in these cases with your release. I can help your attorney, GAL, even the court see the situation perhaps through a new lens. 

​

​