One must not lose hope but keep courage in the certainty that the hopelessness of our struggle does not detract from its dignity and meaning.
-VIKTOR E FRANKL
The mark of a wild heart is living out the paradox of love in our lives, it’s the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid - all in the same moment. It’s showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind.
-Brené Brown
Welcome to Confident Expectations Counseling Services
Featured Therapies
We invite you to investigate the therapy services we offer
and explore the modalities we use to get a feel for who we are and our styles
so that you can begin to determine if we are the right fit for the work you are looking to do.
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples therapy is a uniquely focused space to work with a partner on increasing communication skills/tools, be guided therapeutically through repairing a relationship rupture (relational infidelity, sexual infidelity, financial betrayal), rekindle intimacy, connection and depth in your relationship, re-focus values, process a trauma, communicate through family transitions (becoming parents, empty-nest, caring for elderly parent, family tragedy, loss), and even a relationship tune-up. Couples therapy isn’t only for couples in crisis, it’s recognizing that sometimes the things we care about most are the areas we put-off attending to. We transform as humans and the ritual of dating escapes us and we realize we need to re-learn who our partner is and find joy and connection again.
Our practice utilizes a combination of evidence-based modalities in couples’ therapy. We commonly utilize the Gottman Couple Therapy modality which focuses on gathering information about present concerns and providing depth in exploration so that partners can have greater understanding of one another, while providing practical tools and skills to begin immediate change in relationship patterns that have the highest negative outcomes for couples. Our couples therapists will teach things like emotional regulation tools, communication patterns that avoid common barriers such as Criticizing, Blaming, attacking one another (Contempt), and avoiding communication (Stonewalling). Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is another primary modality that we use to focus on the couple’s emotional intimacy, their ability to get to the heart of their pain, fears, and their needs. We observe patterns (the dance) of the relationship and make connections like, when you _______, I _______. We use curiosity toward our past, our childhood, and our attachment styles for understanding of our wounds and creating safety within the relationship for healing.
Couples Therapy Billing: Couples therapy is Private Pay Only as insurance plans generally do not cover relational therapy. If you believe your insurance plan does cover couples therapy, please call and ask them what billing code they are referring to as most note the use of CPT code 90847 which is couple/family with client present which we define as Individual Relational Therapy (defined in its own service-section). Our Couples Therapy rates reflect the training, certifications, experience and continued education we uphold in order to be highly competent at this therapeutic expertise.
FAMILY THERAPY
Family Therapy may include parent-child, siblings, multiple generations, varying combinations of family members and often focuses on family dynamics, communication patterns, past wounds, family trauma, ruptures within the family system, individual roles/rules within a family system, triangulation, the ways families attempt to maintain system balance (scapegoat, protector, parentified children), interdependence, codependency, generational trauma, historical family patterns, addiction, unconscious alignments, narcissism, sexual trauma, reunification, cut-off/no-contact/low-contact/estrangement, guilt and shame within a family system, secret keeping and much more.
Family Therapy Billing: Family therapy is Private Pay Only as insurance plans generally do not cover relational therapy. If you believe your insurance plan does cover family therapy, please call and ask them what billing code they are referring to as most note the use of CPT code 90847 which is couple/family with client present which we define as Individual Relational Therapy (defined in its own service-section). Our FamilyTherapy rates reflect systemic family training and focus, having experience with complex family systems and mediation skills. We focus and commit to continued education in order to be competent at this unique and specific therapeutic expertise.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
There are seasons in our life that we find it useful to seek support. It can be a transition that feels challenging to face or choices feel overwhelming, confusion in relationships, noticing negative patterns, a past or recent trauma that feels heavy, anxiety peaking, depression, sadness/grief that persists, as well as many other circumstances. These seasons offer us the opportunity to self-reflect, become introspective, realize the need for boundaries, find new coping tools, or gather a different perspective. Individual therapy offers a safe and sacred space to do that work with the guidance and care/nurture of a trained therapist.
Individual Therapy is insurance-eligible, meaning, we accept the following insurance brands/plans and can bill them directly for mental/behavioral health therapy services.
The Confident Expectations Counseling Group Practice is credential with: Premera, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Regence, Anthem, United Healthcare/UMR, Aetna, Cigna, Asuris, Kaiser Permanente WA, First Choice and Pacific Source plans. We can also provide a Superbill for a client wishing to utilize an out-of-network plan (all submission, insurance dealings, and reimbursement is the burden of the client). Clients are always welcome to Private-Pay which does not involve insurance plans.
INDIVIDUAL-RELATIONAL THERAPY
Individual-Relational Therapy is an insurance-eligible service, utilizing the CPT code 90847 (Couple/Family with client present). We define this service as having an identified client, who carries a diagnosis and treatment plan and benefits from a partner or family member participating as a collatoral support to their growth and healing. The focus of this therapy includes relationship dynamics, but is billed under a single person’s insurance and the other participant is not a therapy client. In this therapy, the therapist is considering the couple but primarily utilizing modalities that are less focused on couples processes such as Gottman & Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).
The Confident Expectations Counseling Group Practice is credential with: Premera, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Regence, Anthem, United Healthcare/UMR, Aetna, Cigna, Asuris, Kaiser Permanente WA, First Choice and Pacific Source plans. We can also provide a Superbill for a client wishing to utilize an out-of-network plan (all submission, insurance dealings, and reimbursement is the burden of the client). Clients are always welcome to Private-Pay which does not involve insurance plans.
Therapists & Team
PARTNER. MOTHER. FRIEND. SUN LOVER. NURTURER OF SOULS
There is a voice in each of us that is unburdened by fear and untouched by insecurity that has utter calm, that emanates love for oneself and others, and that knows exactly who we would be if we were brave enough to show up as our true selves.
-Tara Mohr
A little about me and my perspective of therapy:
I am naturally curious about people and their stories; I am fulfilled by listening, discovering, and understanding others and helping them find compassionate ways to move forward in their journey of life. I value growth, deep connection, transparency, authentic relationships, and healing. I believe that life intersects all of us with suffering, hardships, times in the desert, uncertainty, trauma, loss, as well as beauty, awe and wonder. Many of these seasons we traverse with resilience and some we need a guide, someone to bare witness to our pain, direction, reminding, perspectives of hope, and empathy and connection amongst our suffering. Seeking support is evidence of our strength! As a Marriage & Family Therapist I have studied, sought, read, listened, and learned effective evidence-based tools to walk alongside, to nudge, to offer a hopeful perspective, to suggest tools and reframing of circumstances that can break us free of our stuckness.
Some of my meaningful focus’ are life transitions, relationship rupture, narcissist parents/family, spiritual trauma, family system dynamics, people-pleasing, perfectionism, attachment wounds, ADHD, boundary setting, deepening emotional capacity/perspectives/understanding, parenting tools, anxiety, safely exploring trauma, adoption, nervous system dysregulation (somatic awareness), processing grief, and anxiety and depression.
My approach in therapy is that healing occurs with nervous system safety, through feeling heard, understood, and validated with empathy and connection. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Self-Compassion Theory are the foundational lenses that I use, believing that when we offer ourselves kindness and nurture, we can safely explore areas for growth and past traumas. I also lean into Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Strengths-based, Existential Approaches, Culturally Sensitive, Attachment Theory, and Gottman.
About me:
I am a wife and partner of thirty-two years, a mother of three children, ages 26, 25, and 20, and a proud ‘second choice human’ of our Boston Terrier named ‘Gus.’ I have been a stay-at-home mom and a working mom and continue to learn and grow how to best love and support my amazing kids. My husband and I enjoy exploring new areas/cultures through travel and food. Our family vacations are recently focused on visiting National Parks and sunny islands. My favorite self-care treat is sitting in the sun with a riveting fiction novel, drinking a mocha over a deep conversation, working in my yard, or dreaming of where to take our next vacation. Spirituality is a part of my worldview and I wrestle with how to authentically live-out my faith in a complex world. I would describe myself as a warm, connecting-focused introvert who doesn’t like to be the center of attention, and finds an intimate conversation with another, what fills my soul.
Crystalena is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist Associate (LMHCA), having completed her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Communications from Eastern Washington University.
Crystalena works with adolescents, middle/early adulthood clients, middle and late adulthood, and clients who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) and LGBTQIA+. Crystalena focuses on working with clients desiring support with anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation and with client’s looking for support with life transitions and past traumatic events. She utilizes modalities such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), Emotion Focused Therapy, Logotherapy, Psychodynamic, SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy) and Gottman with couples. Principles that guide her include having a Person-centered approach and process, focusing on a client’s strengths and adaptations, the Biopsychosocial Model, acknowledging the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors, while always attending to Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies (MSJCC), a framework that acknowledges, understands, and explores diversity and social justice within the therapeutic relationship and assists in meeting clients in the ways that best serve their needs.
Crystalena accepts most insurance plans including: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Regence, Anthem, Premera, Lifewise, Aetna, Asuris, First Choice Health, Pacific Source, Cigna and private pay.
About me:
Born and raised in WA, I have a deep love for the many communities that make up this state. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have lived and learned in many of those diverse communities, as it’s given me so much perspective and appreciation. While I am grateful for the four seasons of the PNW, the best time of year is the summer and fall where my family and I can go outdoors, swim, walk the dogs, and pick fresh fruits and vegetables from neighboring farms and orchards. Married for over a decade, my spouse and I have one kiddo (6) and 3 fur babies (Australian Shepard/German Shepard-English Spaniel/American Shorthair). My happy place is surrounded by friends and family, whether we are playing games, relaxing in the backyard, or trying new foods and recipes. This year will bring me new opportunities to travel more with my family and explore new cultures, foods, and traditions.
Our billing expert is Brian and he serves both our clients and our staff to ensure a smooth, clear, and a well communicated billing and insurance journey. Brian has worked in finance and analysis and prides himself in being investegative and highly prioritizes organization and attention to detail. Brian enjoys skiing, building his vintage stereo and music collection, paddle-boarding, watching soccer, cooking, keeping a pristine yard, and working on home projects.
Brian handles all client onboarding, assisting clients with knowing their insurance benefits, dealing with our insurance billing and client payments. He also handles our payroll and other administrative roles.
Connect with us…
To Teach is to Learn Twice
-Joseph Joubert
AAMFT Clinical Supervision
Frequently asked Supervision questions
Q: Is an AAMFT Clinician Supervisior the same as a Washington State Supervisor?
A: No. AAMFT Approved Supervisors have gone through training designed by AAMFT to promote the highest level of proficiency for supervisors; 30 hours of training and a written assessment of their knowledge and understanding with 180 hours of clinical supervision while being mentored by an AAMFT approved Supervision Mentor. States/provinces and other organizations have the differing guidelines. A Washington state Approved Supervisor undergos a 15 hour training requirement and 25 hours of experience in supervision of clinical practice.
Q: How often would I meet with my Clinical Supervisor?
A: We will meet once a week either virtually or in-person.
AAMFT Approved Supervision
Are you an associate or pre-licensed clinician and looking for mentoring, coaching, case and ethical/legal consulting, and a professional advocate? I am an Washington State AAMFT approved Clinical Supervisor Fellow and able to offer Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Supervision and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervision and oversight.
The supervision models I utilize includes homogenized perspectives from Bowen, Self-Compassion, Insight-Oriented, Emotion-Curious, Somatic, IFS Parts-Identifying modalities. In supervision, I focus on a developmental progressive-stage scaffolding framework to asses and assist in appropriate staged support.
Some of the areas that are attended to within supervision include: ethics and legal factors, self-of-the-therapist, systemic understanding, case conceptualization, treatment planning, sensitivity to contextual and developmental factors, personal and professional growth/balance/competency, and practice management.
In short, my view of supervision is that of a map - assisting to determine route, factoring influences and barriers, determining means and planning an itinerary (and re-routing as necessary), inspecting terrain and outside influences, and shepherding your journey.
To learn more or set up a meeting regarding supervision offerings, please reach out to me at gscott@confidentexpectationscounseling.com. Supervision typically involves meeting weekly, case-presentation, continued learning, and occasional live supervision.
Learn More About Your Specific Licensure Supervision Requirements:
Washington State Department of Health Supervision Requirements for LMFTAs
Washington State Department of Health Supervision Requirements for LMHCAs
Washinton State Department of Health Supervision Reuirement s for LCSWAs
