How can we help you?
Of course you have questions! This is a good thing – questions mean that you are invested in the process. We've collected some commonly asked questions here for you to look through:
Other
Can I just try therapy before committing to a weekly or bi-weekly schedule?
We completely understand this request. The reason why we’re careful not to start someone with one of our therapists without first establishing a weekly or bi-weekly appointment time slot that works for both you and the therapist is that there are very few openings in our schedules. If we don’t reserve one of those limited time slots for you now, it’s likely that it will be taken by someone else by the time you’ve completed your first session.
Most people who start with our therapists choose to continue working with them on an ongoing basis. We want to avoid a situation where you connect with your therapist, only to find that they no longer have a regular time slot available that fits your schedule. In fact, we’ve had moments like this before:
Client: "You're great, I can't wait to work with you! Let's get it in the books!"
Therapist: "Wonderful, I'm excited to work with you too! The openings I currently have are every other Tuesday at 2pm and every Thursday at 9am... which would you prefer?"
Client: "Oh shoot, neither of those work for me."
To avoid that, we ask that your availability and your therapist’s availability align in advance, meaning we’ll need to reserve a specific weekly or bi-weekly time slot as part of the intake process.
That said, you’re not signing a contract—therapy with us is always voluntary, and you can stop at any time. We just need to make sure a consistent time is reserved in advance to prevent scheduling issues. Our intake coordinator will walk you through the process and confirm your preferred time slot, should you decide to continue after your initial session. If you're looking for individual counseling or any of our ongoing services, we’re here to help you get started.
Therapy is most effective when it happens consistently, so we ask all clients to begin with either weekly or every-other-week appointments. Research—and our experience—shows that meeting less frequently than that doesn’t provide the structure or momentum needed for real progress.
Later in therapy, some clients choose to scale back and schedule appointments on a more flexible, as-needed basis. At that point, you’re welcome to use our online calendar to book sessions at your own pace, assuming your therapist has availability. But to start, we’ll need to commit to a regular weekly or biweekly time slot so the work can be as effective as possible.
Reach out to us if you have questions about what therapy could look like for you in Seattle or online throughout Washington.
Most people stay in therapy for several months, though the length of time is entirely up to you. You're not signing a contract with us, and you can stop therapy at any time. That said, it’s common for clients to discover that meaningful, lasting change often takes more time than initially expected—and that more than a few sessions are needed to really address deeper concerns.
Therapy is a process, and people and relationships are complex. Our therapists work very hard in sessions to help you get the most out of your time and to move you through the process efficiently, but in most cases, real progress takes a little while.
If you’re curious about what you might gain from a longer course of therapy, you might find our blog post on why therapy isn’t a quick fix insightful.
We’re happy to talk more about what therapy might look like for you. Reach out to us to learn more about starting therapy in Seattle or online throughout Washington.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under federal law, health care providers must give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
This includes the total expected cost of any non-emergency services, such as therapy, as well as related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, or equipment. Mental health providers, including those offering individual counseling or couples therapy, are required to comply with this rule when treating uninsured or self-pay clients.
Be sure to request your Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your scheduled appointment. You may also proactively ask any provider for a written estimate before confirming services.
If you receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charge.
Always save a copy or photo of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.
For more information about your rights, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
We are often asked about how/if health insurance can be part of paying for individual or couples therapy. It's an important and surprisingly not-so-simple answer, so we have devoted a page to providing a detailed explanation of how insurance works as well as what our rates are, so that clients are making informed decisions about their care.
Please reach out to us if you have questions.
That depends on a few factors, such as what you're seeking help for and how motivated you are to engage in the process. But perhaps the most important part of this answer is that how long you stay in therapy is entirely up to you. You’re not signing a contract or enrolling in a fixed program—you and your therapist are collaborating to reach the goals that matter to you.
Some people get what they need in just a few sessions, while others stay for many months or even years. The duration is flexible and based entirely on your goals and preferences.
On one hand, we want you to feel empowered and equipped to move forward on your own as soon as possible. Our job is to help you reach a place where you don’t feel you need us anymore. On the other hand, many people find that a long-standing relationship with a therapist they trust is one of the most meaningful and supportive connections in their lives.
Personally, I (Justin Pere) have worked with some therapists for only a few months—either because I got what I needed or didn’t quite connect—and others for several years. Both experiences were quite valuable in different ways.
If you're considering how long therapy might take for you, our blog on why therapy isn't a quick fix offers helpful insight into the process and what to expect.
Reach out to us if you have any questions about therapy in Seattle or online throughout Washington.
Yes! Most Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for therapy with us. Clients regularly use these tax-advantaged accounts to cover their sessions without issue.
If you're unsure whether your HSA or FSA provider requires specific documentation or diagnosis codes for reimbursement, feel free to check with them—or reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help you navigate it.
Our main office is located near South Lake Union at 1836 Westlake Ave. North, Suite 303, Seattle, WA 98109. We’re easy to find and conveniently situated for anyone searching for individual therapy in Seattle, couples therapy, or sex and intimacy counseling.
Suite 303 is on the second floor when viewed from the street. You can reach it via staircases located at either end of the building behind clear glass doors. If you need accessibility accommodations, please let us know in advance so we can assist.
Directions from Downtown Seattle
To reach us from downtown, take I-5 North to Exit 167 for Mercer Street toward Seattle Center. Continue onto Mercer Street, then turn right onto Westlake Avenue North. You’ll find our office just past Lake Union Park, with nearby access to public transit and paid parking.
We request a credit, debit, or HSA/FSA card when you begin in order to reserve your appointment time. Your card will not be charged prior to your first session, but we do require this information to hold your spot in the therapist’s schedule.
Like most private practices, we have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule any appointment—including your first session—just give us at least 48 hours’ (2 days) notice to avoid being charged for the session.
Secure Payment Information at Clarity Counseling Seattle
All payment details are stored in our secure, HIPAA-compliant system. We use this system to safely manage billing for individual counseling, couples therapy, and other services.
If you have any questions about our payment policies or secure storage system, please contact us.
Here are some ways to make the most of your therapy sessions at Clarity Counseling Seattle:
- After each session, take time to reflect on what was discussed and consider how you might apply insights or tools to your day-to-day life.
- Remember that much of the most important individual therapy work happens between sessions. Following through on goals or practices discussed in session can significantly enhance your progress.
- Be as open and honest with your therapist as you feel able—therapy is most effective when your provider has a full picture of your experiences and concerns.
- When therapy feels challenging, either during or between sessions, trust that this is often a sign of growth. Discomfort can mean you're doing important work.
It’s understandable to feel hesitant if therapy hasn’t worked for you in the past. There are a few common reasons this happens, and exploring them might help you decide whether to try again.
In some cases, people aren’t quite ready to engage fully in the work of individual therapy, which can make it difficult to experience lasting change. Other times, people start therapy hoping to change someone else, rather than focusing on what’s within their own control. That’s a natural impulse—but fortunately, when we change ourselves, those around us often shift as well.
The Therapist-Client Relationship Matters
Another big factor is the fit between therapist and client. A mismatch can limit progress, even if both people are doing their best. While therapists differ in style and methods, research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of success. This is true for both individual and couples therapy.
If you’re considering trying again, we’d love to talk with you about what didn’t work before and how we might approach things differently. Reach out here to explore next steps with a Seattle therapist or online throughout Washington.
Psychiatric medications are sometimes used alongside individual therapy, especially when treating conditions like depression or anxiety. While our therapists at Clarity Counseling Seattle do not prescribe medication, we often collaborate with prescribing professionals when medication may be helpful.
Therapy and Medication: A Complementary Approach
Research shows that combining therapy with medication can be more effective than either approach alone in many cases. For example, antidepressants may help lift a person’s mood enough to allow deeper, more effective engagement in the therapeutic process—leading to more lasting change.
We maintain working relationships with trusted doctors, naturopaths, and nurse practitioners (ARNPs) in the Seattle area who offer medication evaluations and management. If appropriate, we can help connect you with someone who is a good fit for your needs.
Reach out to us if you have questions about integrating therapy with medication support.