Seattle
Direct
Counseling

IMPORTANT:

I will be out of the office Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009 to Dec. 3, 2009 and will
be unavailable by phone. If you leave an email requesting availability in
December, your email will be answered by Monday Dec. 7 at noon.

Please look under "Recommendations" if you need to talk to one of my
colleagues before my return.

See you in December!

Imei

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You've made the phone call and you've scheduled an appointment. Now
what? Here's pretty much everything you need to know before your first
appointment.

Locating Seattle Direct Counseling
SDC is a home office. You will be given an address over the phone, but
the general area is in West Seattle near the Alaska Street Junction.
Parking is a snap: during the day while school is in session, street
parking is difficult, so you can park on my drive way. In the summer,
school is out of session and parking is plentiful.

Where do I Wait?
There is no lounge for my space, though there is a covered area. You can
wait in your car, or if you arrive early, there is a Hotwire Coffee shop
around the corner on California Avenue SW. Signs on the door will
indicate to you whether you can walk in or if I am still seeing a client
inside.

During the cold weather ,months, you will be relieved to know how
comfortable my basement lounge is  with a temperature of about 70
degrees with the heat on. I'll be serving tea upon request.

How do I pay for my visit? Do you accept credit cards?
If we haven't discussed that over the phone with you before the visit, it will
be covered during the beginning of the first session. You will fill out
paperwork giving consent for treatment, and I will take the information
from your health insurance card.  Payment is due at the beginning of
each session. I accept credit cards using credit card processing through
Therapy Partner. By filling out an authorization form, your visit or co-pay
can be billed by debit or credit card.

Other perks to your session
You can request tea service with your session (please indicate this at
least 15 minutes before your session). Also, Charles-Monet the therapy
cat (an Applehead Siamese) is at your service and ready to warm your
lap if you like animals. If you are allergic, please let me know, and the
room will be refreshed before your session.
Home office hours:
Tuesdays 10 am - 7 pm
Wednesdays 12 noon - 7 pm
Thursdays 10 am - 7 pm

Contact info:
Mobile 206.769.5740
Email   imeis_sdc@yahoo.com

What is the cost of my sessions?
Initial intake session                         $125 (first visit only)
All individual sessions after             $110
Couples sessions                             $130

Approximately 20% of my client load is reserved for low insurance, no insurance, and sliding scale clients. If you are in
need of assistance, please ask.

What if I lost my job and I need career counseling?
I am offering on a limited basis a unique career counseling "giddyup": two sessions that includes a work up using
Holland's theory of jobs and personality types, and a follow up two weeks later to help you explore creative avenues for
work in this very confusing and frustrating economy. The two sessions are longer than the usual, but the price is just for
one session, $110.

Do you make house calls, or do you do "tele-shrinking"?
Home visitation can be incorporated into your therapy, but it is not a regular part of my services. However, if commuting to
my home office isn't a feasible option because of problems such as time, distance, or disability, I provide therapy via the
phone, Skype chat,  and email. You will be advised of the risks involved in using technology regarding confidentiality and
asked to sign a consent form indicating that you understand these risks.

Do you provide professional coaching as well as counseling?
I am currently completing training to become a Professional Coach. It is natural to provide some coaching as part of the
therapeutic process when necessary, but my current scope of practice is counseling. As I complete my coaching training, I
will be looking for coaching clients to practice my skills and earn hours towards my certification in 2010, when I will launch
a separate coaching business. Don't worry - I will still be counselor and available to provide therapy, but I will be adding
on the coaching dimension as well. My two practices will be separate, and each will abide by the highest standards of
state law regarding counseling.