Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is simple.

You can contact our office by phone (360) 558-7730, or through our website to schedule an appointment or ask questions about the process. If you are unsure which therapist might be the best fit, our team is happy to help guide you based on your needs, preferences, and goals.

We know reaching out can feel vulnerable, especially if this is your first experience with therapy. We strive to make the process feel as supportive and comfortable as possible from the very beginning.

That does not mean therapy cannot help you now.

One of the biggest factors in successful therapy is finding the right fit. Many of our clients come to Compass after previous therapy experiences that felt too clinical, surface level, or disconnected from what they actually needed.

Our therapists each have different personalities, specialties, approaches, and lived experiences. We are happy to help connect you with someone who feels aligned with your needs, goals, and preferences.

Yes. We provide secure online therapy for clients throughout Washington and Oregon depending on therapist licensure.

Absolutely. Many of our therapists are neurodivergent themselves or highly experienced working with ADHD, high sensitivity, masking, nervous system overwhelm, and neurodivergent relationship dynamics.

Yes, when desired by the client. We welcome conversations around identity, spirituality, meaning making, intuition, and personal growth while respecting each client’s individual beliefs and values.

Yes! We encourage you to call your insurance company directly to verify your mental health coverage for counseling and therapy sessions. You can often find the customer service or member services number on the back of your insurance card. To get a complete understanding of your costs, ask specific questions while on the phone. Some examples:

1. Are mental health benefits covered? (Specifically, ask: "Can you verify my outpatient behavioral health benefits and let me know my estimated out-of-pocket cost for routine office visits?")
2. What is my deductible, and has it been met for the year?
3. What is my copay or coinsurance per session?
4. Are there session limits? (e.g., a cap on the number of sessions covered per calendar year)
5. Do I need a doctor's referral or prior authorization?
6. Are telehealth (online therapy) sessions covered?

That is completely okay. You do not need to arrive with the “right” words or a perfectly organized explanation of what you are feeling. Therapy is a space where we figure things out together.

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, though frequency can vary depending on your goals, needs, schedule, and therapist recommendations.

We work with adults, couples, families, teens, and children navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, relationship struggles, neurodivergence, life transitions, grief, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, and personal growth.

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know you.

We will spend time talking about what brings you to therapy, what you are hoping for, and any important experiences or patterns you would like your therapist to understand. You do not need to prepare anything perfectly beforehand.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a feel for your therapist’s style and determine whether the relationship feels like a good fit. Therapy works best when you feel emotionally safe, understood, and comfortable being yourself.

There is no pressure to share everything immediately. We move at a pace that feels supportive for you.

Feeling nervous is completely normal.

Many people worry about being judged, not knowing what to say, becoming emotional, or whether therapy will actually help. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you are used to handling things on your own.

Our therapists work to create a space that feels warm, collaborative, and emotionally safe. You do not need to show up perfectly or have everything figured out before starting.

Therapy looks different for everyone.

Some clients come to therapy for support around a specific challenge or life transition, while others choose to engage in longer term work focused on deeper healing, relationship patterns, or personal growth.

The length of therapy depends on your goals, needs, preferences, and the type of support you are looking for. Your therapist will collaborate with you throughout the process to make sure the work feels helpful and aligned.

Not at all.

You do not need a diagnosis or major crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people start therapy because they feel emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, burned out, stuck in recurring patterns, or simply ready to better understand themselves and create healthier ways of living and relating.

Many people are surprised to learn there are several different types of licensed mental health professionals, including counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists.

While each profession has slightly different educational backgrounds and training models, all of our clinicians are trained mental health professionals who provide therapy and counseling services.

At Compass Whole Health, we focus less on titles and more on helping you find the right therapeutic fit based on your needs, goals, personality, and preferences. Every therapist on our team is carefully chosen for both their clinical skill and their ability to create meaningful, supportive relationships with clients.

Yes. Your privacy and confidentiality are very important to us.

There are specific legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality related to safety concerns, which your therapist will review with you during the informed consent process. We are always happy to answer questions about confidentiality and what to expect before beginning therapy.