what is mindfulness? mindfulness is paying attention on purpose in the present moment. it includes mindfulness meditation which is the practice of cultivating an open-hearted awareness of what is arising in our moment to moment experience. research shows that practicing mindfulness can develop many qualities such as joy, clarity, insight, and compassion. it is a way to take care of ourselves and transform the stress and suffering in our lives and culture.
what is self-compassion? self-compassion is the powerful act of bringing kindness and understanding toward ourselves and our inner experience. it is not that different from the compassion you feel for others when you notice they are suffering. self-compassion practice is cultivating the ability to treat yourself as you would a dear friend when faced with challenges, personal shortcomings, or when you notice something about yourself that you don't like. instead of judging ourselves harshly we can practice gently turning toward ourselves and our emotional pain.
what is creative arts therapy? in a creative arts therapy session, the process of creation is emphasized rather than a finished product. you are not required to have artistic ability. when appropriate, painting, drawing, free-writing, poetry or music may be an option in session to weave together concepts and meaning for deeper healing. what you make will not be analyzed or interpreted, rather the focus is on your moment-to-moment experience.
how long are therapy sessions? sessions usually last about 50 minutes unless special arrangements are made. the initial consultation may last 60 minutes.
what if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment? if you are unable to keep your appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance. since your appointment time is reserved for you, missed appointments not canceled 24 hours in advance will be billed to you.
what forms of payment do you receive? cash or checks are preferred. payment for services is expected at the time of your session.
how many sessions does therapy usually take? the length of time you spend in therapy, as well as the frequency of your sessions, can be determined by joint discussion. you may withdraw from therapy at any time. if you wish to stop before you have completed the process, i can provide you with a list of practitioners so you can continue your work. finishing therapy is a part of the process and it is helpful to your growth and development to discuss this when the time comes.
do you take insurance? i can take selecthealth and blue cross of idaho at this time. if I am out-of-network for you, i can provide a bill at the end of each session that you can send to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. the amount you may be reimbursed depends on your insurance policy. even if i take your insurance, i recommend that you contact your insurance company to make sure that I am in network for you. if i do not take your insurance, i recommend calling your insurance company to find out what they will cover. for example, they may cover a portion of each session. here is an app that can help you get reimbursed from your insurance company: www.getbetter.co
do you offer any financial assistance? i have a limited number of hardship/scholarship slots available. if the slots are full, i can provide you with referrals to other local practitioners who may be able to help.
where can I park? there is a parking lot behind the house. you can access the lot from 16th street. there is also street parking in the area.