Research shows that the quality of the client-therapist relationship is more important than the technique a therapist uses or the philosophical approach she has. This is why I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation for us to see and feel if we are a good fit. To schedule this, please contact me either by phone (206) 429-8598 or email shelby@createtonourish.com and leave me a message. I usually can respond within 24 hours or sooner.

I offer both 55-minute and 80-minute sessions for counseling and coaching. My standard service fees are as follows:

• $180 for a 55-minute session
• $250 for a 85-minute session

Payment is due at the time of service. I take payment via a secure client portal.

Yes, I do! I recognize that paying full-service fees may be cost-prohibitive for some. Because I believe in making my healing services accessible, I reserve a limited number of reduced fee slots. Please email or call me if you would like to inquire about my sliding scale slots, and I will let you know if I currently have any of these spots available.

While both psychotherapy and coaching services have some similarities and overlap, there are still fundamental differences to consider when deciding what kind of support to seek. The significant differences are as follows: 

Psychotherapy is offered by a person that has attained an advanced degree in behavioral and psychological science. This is not necessarily true for coaches. Therefore, the work done in psychotherapy typically tends to focus on moods, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these things relate to a person’s perceptions, psychological symptoms, and quality of life. Psychotherapy is more long-term than coaching and focuses on broader issues. Often the work is oriented towards understanding the past and how it relates to the present to alleviate distress and unwanted behaviors. Psychotherapy is a reflective process that can often enable one to access lasting change, and create insights, inquiries, and reflection to have a more vital and expanded sense of self and their life.  

Coaching, on the other hand, is another unique service designed to help motivated and ambitious individuals meet the goals and outcomes that they desire to attain for success. Coaching helps clients identify their future aims and the obstacles that may be interfering with progress. While there may be some guidance and support to examine unhelpful or outdated beliefs, the emphasis of coaching is not on the past, but on action and accountability. Having someone cheering for you and love nudging you to the next level can be hugely rewarding and can often enable people to accomplish more than they would on their own.  

In a nutshell, psychotherapy is a profoundly reflective process, and coaching is primarily action-oriented. Both services can have a profound and practical impact on helping you achieve your ultimate goals, especially as we work closely to get clear on your intentions for growth and healing. Before we begin our work together, we will meet to identify your most immediate needs and goals to create a plan that best supports your immediate situation. Because I am both a psychotherapist and a coach, you can benefit from both of my skill sets. Please note I only offer therapy for deeper psychological issues to residents of Washington state.

In order to create a solid connection and a foundation for working together, it's helpful, at first, for us to meet weekly to establish a solid momentum for progress. Once we decide that progress is being made, we can talk about transitioning to every other week and continue to decrease session frequency from there. We will work together to find a consistent time, and I will reserve this as a regular time slot for you. 

I offer telehealth psychology sessions for the residents of Washington state. All my sessions are on a per-appointment basis. When you contact me, please specify 1-3 preferences for times and days, and I will see what I have available based on your request. I do have weekend and evening times available. I also offer phone and video coaching sessions via a HIPAA compliant platform if you are not local.

The best way to contact me is by email or phone. If I receive an email, text, or phone call that requires a more in-depth response, I will ask that you schedule a phone consult or an in-person session to ensure that you receive the best care possible.

I accept cash, check, and credit/debit cards (this includes HSA cards). With all card payments, there is a 3% surcharge added to the session fee. Payment is due at the time of service. I require all clients to provide me with a credit/debit card number to be kept on file so that if cash or check payment is not provided at the time of service, I can charge your card. This policy is in place to simplify and streamline our process around payment procedures so that our focus is spent on your sessions and not on administrative tasks. If you have any questions or concerns, or you need something different, please contact me.

I am not currently accepting insurance. However, I am happy to provide you with an itemized receipt for submission to insurance companies for consideration of third-party reimbursement for my counseling sessions. Your insurance will need to accept “out of network” providers. The amount of compensation will depend on your insurance coverage/plan. Since health plans vary widely, I would suggest you contact your insurance provider to determine what the out-of-network benefits are for behavioral health/counseling services.

Here are a few suggested questions for your insurance provider. Please keep in mind each insurance company has different policies and requirements, and so there may be additional inquiries you need to make for clarity.

• What are my out-of-network benefits for outpatient therapy/behavioral health?
• How many sessions per year does my insurance cover?
• What is the reimbursement rate per session?
• What is my deductible? How much of it have I met? When does it renew?
• Is preauthorization required from my primary care doctor?

Payment is due at the time of service. I take cash, check, or credit card payment via a secure client portal.

When using “out of network” benefits, insurance companies can mandate a diagnosis, oversee health records, and may seek access to therapy records/information. They may also limit your number of therapy sessions per year, regardless of the circumstances. When considering the involvement of insurance companies, paying out-of-pocket provides you more control around your privacy and the scope of service you can receive. When you pay “out of pocket,” I am not required to share your personal information and medical history/diagnosis with your insurance company. Neither are you limited to a certain number of sessions, and we are free to determine what type of modalities best suit our work together. The bottom line, paying out of pocket, protects your privacy, and keeps your therapy experience from being restricted by insurance protocols. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I do not operate an emergency practice; therefore, I am not available after hours in cases of crisis or medical emergency. That said, I understand life can throw curveballs. If you find yourself in a position where you are wanting or needing a short term session to address an immediate concern, I do encourage you to reach out to me, and we will work together to make sure you have the support you need. In the event you cannot reach me, I urge you to contact one of the resources below: For a life-threatening crisis or medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to the local hospital emergency room.

• The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255
• Text HOME to 741741 in US
• The Crisis Line for Kitsap county is 1-800-843-4793.

A 48-hour notice is required to cancel an appointment. Clients who cancel with less than 48-hours notice will be charged the full fee unless there is a significant life/death event (i.e., car accident, family death, major emergency). Cancellations for Monday sessions must occur by the Friday before the scheduled sessions. If the client is ill, phone calls or video conferencing via a secure platform can be used in place of face-to-face meetings in my office.

Affirming: As a therapist, I affirm the inherent value of all people and support their sovereignty and their right to live and love in peace. I am deeply invested in your well-being and am committed to creating a safe and secure space for you to encounter yourself and your life material in a way that creates healing and integration for you to access more freedom and vitality in your life. This is the most sacred work of the therapeutic container and my job as your guide to protect it. I welcome people of all sexual orientations and identities, lifestyles, cultural backgrounds, and spiritual persuasions.   

Accessibility: Please be aware that because my office is located upstairs in a building only has stairs; it is not ADA accessible. If you have mobility concerns, I would be happy to discuss with you whether or not my office and offerings can meet your needs. If necessary, I will provide you with a referral to counselors with ADA accessible office space.