Frequently Asked Questions

Fees & insurance

  • – Initial consultation — free, 20 minutes

    – Individual therapy — $190–$210, 50 minutes

    – Couples therapy — $230–$250, 50–75 minutes

    – Discernment counseling — $280–$300, 90 minutes

    – KAP & psychedelic integration — $230–$250, 75 minutes

    – Perinatal, betrayal trauma and EMDR — reach out for a consultation so we can identify the right fee for your needs


    A limited number of discounted spots is available. Please ask.

  • I’m not in network, but I can provide a superbill for you to seek reimbursement through out-of-network benefits. I’m contracted with Spring Health EAP, and I’ll begin accepting Medicaid once approved, expected by the end of the year.

    Staying out of network is a deliberate choice about your privacy. Insurance typically requires a clinical diagnosis for coverage and permits audits of your records. Working independently means I can focus entirely on what you need rather than what a third party deems medically necessary, and our sessions stay confidential.

  • Yes. Many plans include out-of-network benefits that let you choose your own clinician. I’m happy to provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your carrier. To understand your specific benefits, call the member services number on your insurance card.

    Therapy is also often eligible for payment through an HSA or FSA.

  • A credit, debit, HSA or FSA card is kept on file in a secure system and charged after each session. I use IVY Pay, a HIPAA-compliant app — you’ll upload your card there and receive a confirmation text each time it’s charged.


  • There’s no single right answer, but two things are worth holding together. Mental wellness includes a balanced relationship with your finances, which means honoring your needs without taking on debt. It also means noticing when withholding resources you do have is getting in the way of your own wellbeing.

    Investing in yourself is an act of care, not just a line item. Therapy is a doorway to healing and a more purposeful life, and evidence suggests it can be cost-effective over time by reducing future medical needs and, for many people, supporting greater earning capacity.

  • Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers must give clients who aren’t using insurance a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges, both verbally and in writing, before care begins.

    – You’re entitled to a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of non-emergency care, covering all related services.

    – I’ll provide the written estimate at least one business day before your scheduled session. You can also request one from any provider at the time of inquiry, before booking.

    – If you receive a bill that exceeds your estimate by $400 or more, you have the right to dispute the charges.

    – Keep a copy of your estimate for your records.

    For more on your rights, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

Starting therapy

  • It’s natural to feel uncertain. It’s rare to step into an unfamiliar space and reveal things you often hold close, even from the people nearest to you.

    Our first meeting is time to explore what brought you here and to start mapping your history against where you want to go. It carries more structure than our usual work, because I’m listening for the patterns and themes running through your story. You may leave with a clear sense of direction, or we may find we’ve only touched the surface. Intake sessions run 50 minutes, the same as ongoing work. Details specific to each offering are on the services page.

  • Sessions are 50 minutes, and new clients usually start weekly to give the work a stable rhythm. If you want to go deeper, or you’re moving through an acute season, meeting more than once a week is often available. That concentration allows for significant movement in a shorter window and real support during harder stretches.

  • It’s deeply personal and hard to answer before I know your story. Healing is rarely linear. Some people find clarity within a few months; others do deep work over several years, or keep a recurring connection across nearly a decade.

    Your intentions usually set the timeline. If you’re here for a specific decision or transition, a shorter container may be enough. If you want to weave together a more coherent narrative of who you are, a steady long-term relationship tends to serve that better. We’ll map it out together.

  • Yes. Our conversations are legally protected. The few exceptions where I’m ethically and legally required to share information involve preventing immediate harm to you or someone else, protecting children or vulnerable adults from abuse, or a court order.

Working together

  • This may be the most important question on the whole journey. That felt sense of being seen and understood is the biggest predictor of meaningful change.

    I offer a free 20-minute consultation so we can find out whether our rhythms fit. Fit usually reveals itself over a few meetings, so I generally suggest at least three sessions before deciding.

  • Not at all. The reasons people seek support are as varied as people are. There are specific themes and communities where my expertise runs deepest — you can see those here — but I welcome anyone looking for deeper alignment.

    Your concerns don’t have to reach some threshold of severity to deserve attention. Small weights accumulate, and every part of your story is worth hearing.

  • Usually if the question has surfaced at all, the timing is right. Most people sit with distress far longer than they need to before reaching out. Get in touch even if you don’t start right away — having the connection in place means support is there when you’re ready. The first conversation is free and carries no obligation.

  • Yes, and naming it matters. My practice isn’t equipped to provide the level of stabilization needed by people who require 24/7 clinical access, those in the immediate aftermath of a psychiatric crisis or suicide attempt, or those whose primary focus is substance use or eating disorder recovery. I don’t work with anyone under 18, and I don’t offer expert testimony for court.

    If another path fits better, I’ll help you find a practitioner who offers the specific support and stability you need. Reach out and we’ll talk it through honestly.

Logistics

  • The practice is entirely virtual, serving clients across Washington State. A unique link is sent to your phone or email 24 hours before each session. I use Simple Practice, a HIPAA-compliant video platform — you may be asked to download their app if you’re joining from a phone or tablet.

  • Current research shows remote therapy is highly effective, with the added benefit of no commute and fewer logistical barriers. Sessions happen over live video or phone through a HIPAA-compliant platform, so the space stays private and confidential.

    Some people feel hesitant about the format at first. Most find the accessibility helps them keep a more consistent rhythm than they otherwise would.

  • If you’re new, get in touch to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. If you’re already a client, the fastest way is to email vanessa@curacioncounseling.com — you’ll hear back within 24 to 48 hours.

  • Yes. Once you schedule your first session, you’ll receive several digital forms. They stay available in the secure online portal any time you want to look back at them.

  • Please give at least 48 hours notice to reschedule or cancel. Sessions cancelled with less notice are charged the full fee.

  • As the sole owner of a private practice, I can’t provide 24/7 crisis coverage. This is covered in your intake paperwork and first session, but needs can arise outside our scheduled time. If you need immediate support, go to your nearest emergency room, call 911, or call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Locally, the Seattle Crisis Clinic is available at 206-263-9200.

    I’ve also established a professional will covering the unlikely event of my sudden absence. It allows trusted colleagues and family to manage communications and records with full ethical and legal integrity, so your care and your records are protected.