Frequently Asked Questions

Are you taking new patients?

I am taking new adult patients for short-term and long-term telehealth appointments. Feel free to fill out a consultation request here if you would like to meet.

Do I need a referral?

No - a referral isn’t needed.

Do you keep a wait list?

I do not - right now not having a wait list seems the most fair. Please do not wait for an opening in my practice, as I cannot reliably predict when this will happen.

What should I expect?

We usually start with a consultation visit, to discuss your needs and the best treatment plan for your goals. If you prefer, this can be one 50-minute meeting. Oftentimes, people prefer taking more time. In that case, the first visit might be focused on hearing your concerns and gathering information. The second visit would allow time for follow up, and focus more on presenting and discussing treatment recommendations. If my training and skills are not the best fit for you, I am happy to discuss alternate treatment options, or refer you to other providers.

I believe that if I am doing my job well, most patients will “get better” — feel more themselves, and able to cope with challenges — and move on from therapy. This often happens in about nine months of weekly 50-minute sessions.

Do you have a sliding fee? What insurance do you take?

I do not offer individual sliding scale fees, but I do see patients at contracted rates through insurance. I am currently in network with Moda and PacificSource. I am also in network with some —but not all— Regence and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. It’s worth checking with your specific plan to confirm coverage. I also accept payment via Health Savings Accounts, Mastercard, Visa, and check.

Do you prescribe controlled substances?

Not at this time. Due to increased regulatory requirements, I do not prescribe scheduled II-IV medications, which are often used to treat:

ADHD (often treated with stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc)
Anxiety/Panic (benzodiazepines like Xanax/ alprazolam, Ativan/ lorazepam, Klonopin / clonazepam, Valium, etc)
Insomnia (sleep medications like Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, etc)

Is telepsychiatry a good fit for me?

My practice offers telehealth visits to patients in Washington and Oregon. Telemedicine allows patients secure and private access to a psychiatrist without transportation barriers. Pacific Northwest Health telemedicine services may be a good fit if you:

Are social distancing.
Have access to reliable internet.
Live in a rural or under-served area without adequate access to psychiatric services.
Have other barriers to traveling to and from appointments — or would simply like to spend less time away from work and family.
Travel frequently within Washington and Oregon, and would benefit from the geographic flexibility.
Are especially concerned about privacy and discretion.

Who isn’t a good fit for telemedicine?

Not all situations are appropriate for telepsychiatry. Telemedicine may not be right for you if you:

Do not have reliable internet access.
Have paranoia around surveillance or technology.
Require group therapy or case management.
Are frequently suicidal and require emergency access to support.
Require benzodiazepines or stimulants. While most prescriptions we will discuss are easily managed through telemedicine, the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 limits the internet prescription of controlled substances (certain medications the DEA considers especially risky, such as amphetamines, xanax, or valium) without an in-person medical evaluation.

Telemedicine services may need to be discontinued if your situation changes, and it is no longer appropriate to receive telemedicine care.

Is telemedicine secure and private?

I use doxy.me, zoom for healthcare and Athena Health. Both are fully HIPAA-compliant. To ensure your privacy, video recording of sessions is not permitted.

Can I have a regularly-scheduled therapy appointment?

Yes! I will try to find you a recurring time that works for your schedule, whenever possible.

Are you hiring?

No. Pacific Northwest Health is not currently hiring. If you have received messages claiming to be from our HR department, or referencing job offers on sites like UpWork, these are likely part of a scam. If you’ve been contacted with a suspicious job offer, you may report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the official federal site for reporting all types of fraud, including employment scams. You may also want to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).