206-902-7485
About
Experience
Counseling is part of my life's purpose and is a sacred form of healing. The people I counsel inspire me, and I am honored in their presence.
I graduated from Bastyr University at the Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS) in 2006 with a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences with an emphasis in Systems Counseling.
I completed a one-year internship at Navos Mental Health, a community mental health agency located in Burien, in 2006, and went on to work there full time until 2011.
I opened a Private Practice called, "Alanah's Counseling, LLC" in 2011 and saw clients actively until 2016 prior to working in New Zealand.
I lived and worked in New Zealand from 2016-2020 as a counselor, group facilitator and psychotherapist. I was an Incredible Years Parenting Program facilitator helping parents understand their little ones better, build routines and use positive discipline techniques in daily life. I also worked in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center as a crisis team clinical intake psychotherapist.
I have a specialty in Grief and Loss counseling with experience working 1:1 with those experiencing pain from grief, as well as group facilitation at Edmonds Swedish Hospital.
I love to travel and enjoy our beautiful and diverse planet! I have traveled to Italy, Indonesia, Netherlands, India, Spain, Greece, Peru, Easter Island, Japan and New Zealand.
I love to teach! I earned a certificate at the School of TESL, a program at Seattle University, in 2000. I have experience teaching English as a second language. I also enjoy learning languages and have studied Indonesian, Japanese and Spanish.
One of my hobbies is photography, with a focus on nature. Nature is where I go to feel centered and relaxed. I like to be reminded of the vastness of our planet and the universe. Everything in nature is connected, and it is all inclusive.
I am comfortable with the subjects of death, near-death experiences, grief and loss, the paranormal, psychic/intuitive experiences, esoteric studies and life after death.
Approach
Tele-Therapy Sessions
Sessions range in content and structure depending on each individual or family group, and what feels right. Tele-therapy sessions are run exactly like in-person session, however the format is certainly different. I have found that it is easy to get used to. I use my intuitive and empathic senses as a guide at all times. I merge my knowledge and training in traditional counseling treatment with non-conventional approaches, and this looks different with each person depending on what they want, what they need, and what feels right. I approach each person as an expert on their own healing. The sessions always involve exploring and getting to know each individual and how they experience the world around them. I want each person to feel heard and understood. I want each person to better love and accept their strengths as well as limitations. I want each person to better hear and follow their inner knowing. I want each person to better understand who they are, why they are here, and what they are here to do.
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There are no limitations on duration or frequency of session, as it is dependent on each individual or family's needs. I will always make recommendations that I believe will best serve you.
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Each person will read and sign a disclosure statement at the start of our first session. I follow professional ethical codes, including the AMHCA Code of Ethics and NBCC Code of Ethics. As a health care provider, I comply with HIPPA regulations.
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As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), my services are eligible for insurance coverage if you are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Please ask prior to scheduling if I am paneled with your insurance provider. As an out-of-network provider, I can create an invoice for you to submit for reimbursement, but you will need to ask your provider about those rates in advance. If you wish to pay out-of-pocket, feel free to ask me about sliding scale rate availability.
Fees
Tele-Therapy Sessions
My rates are as follows:
Individuals: $130 per 50 min session
Families: $140 per 60 min session
Scheduling and paperwork is completed through SimplePractice. The client portal is available here: https://jessica-baird.clientsecure.me
All co-pays, deductibles, and fees are required via credit/debit card through SimplePractice or PayPal on request.