What to Expect

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Eastside Grief and Loss is located on a street that ends at Issaquah Creek (right off of I-90).  Downtown Issaquah is a 5 minute walk away. Free parking is on a flat quiet street or under the building. The grounds are peaceful and there are walking paths to utilize before or after sessions.  The office is warm, updated and offers a large window looking out at evergreens, squirrels and the creek. 

I understand reaching out and deciding to engage in therapy can create a lot of anxiety.  I don't take lightly the emotional energy to reach out for help. Especially if it is your first time.  This is the case for many of the clients I see.  Please remember I'm here to support and help you navigate in your time of distress.  I've listed below the process of how I work with clients.

General Process

1. We connect via a free phone call (30 min) after an initial email exchange. 
2. If it feels like both of us are a possible good fit you will be invited to an online paperwork process that is HIPPA compliant. If you are not able to fill out the paperwork online, I can mail or email them. This must be completed prior to our first session.
3. We schedule our first session via email or phone.
4. We have our first session and bring up any concerns during or after the session regarding continuing with a second appointment.  It is vital if either of us feel we are not a good fit we find appropriate referrals.
5. We meet weekly in the beginning, continuing to evaluate what we are working on and how we are feeling about the therapeutic relationship. 
6. We continue to meet until you feel like you have come to a place where it makes sense to move forward without the extra support (with the tools you have learned). We might then meet less frequently and finally come to the end of therapy.  It is important we have a last session. 
7. We may then meet again when big steps in the life transition are experienced (anniversary dates (such as the death date), dating, intimacy issues, marriage/re-partnering, birth, etc.) or you may temporarily lose your way and need some support and encouragement. 

The First Session

• Is different than others.  I am trying to assess, learn about and connect with you.  I will have already read the information you provided prior to our meeting.
• We talk about you and your life.
• We talk about your personal history and current situation.
• Your current symptoms.
• I begin to formulate areas within the grief process that may be helpful for you to navigate.  These become integrated within a general treatment plan specific to grief and loss.  We will touch on the treatment plan at a future session if it interests you.
• We will likely talk about the person who has died.  However, this is approached with the utmost care and under your terms.  You may not be ready to talk about it. 
• We will likely talk about how I do grief therapy.
• We will talk about patient confidentiality.
• You will be welcomed to ask questions about anything.
• We will end the session with a few goals and suggestions.