About Me
My name is Andy (he/him) and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in the Seattle-area. After a first career in healthcare management, I went back to Seattle U. to become a therapist, graduating with a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I use a variety of techniques in my practice, but focus on somatic therapy, experiential therapy, positive psychology, and internal family systems. I see individuals, couples, and families, and am available for limited in-person appointments in the U District, and virtual/phone appointments anywhere else. Particular areas of expertise include men’s therapy, trauma/PTSD, addiction/recovery, somatic/body healing, anxiety/depression, career counseling, couples/family therapy and more.
Counseling with me is not just “talking about problems” but looking at all of you and identifying how to help you feel more alive. I called my practice OpenHand Counseling as I believe almost anything worthwhile in life requires us to trust, collaborate, and extend ourselves. As a lifelong martial artist, I recognize the value of a closed fist, but it’s hard to hold a tool, cook a meal, garden, write, play a sport, give affection to another or a pet, or do almost anything else without opening my fingers to meet the world. Whether you are processing past events, working towards achieving goals and plans for your life, or just need additional support, let’s work together to get you where you want to go.
My main techniques in practice are somatic, experiential/Gestalt, and IFS. We will use your body, experience, emotions, and mind as the tools to map your life, challenges, strengths and goals, and then use them as the tools to drive your own healing from within. Sessions may involve a combination of talk therapy, movement, breath work, role play, meditation, and more.
I live in Seattle with my family and our sheepdog Tuna. Outside of counseling I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking/backpacking, martial arts, cooking, and playing music. I am proud to be a recovered drug addict/alcoholic, and have been clean/sober since 2010. I also lead and participate in breathwork/experiential therapy retreats in the Shalom model. For more information please check out https://innerwildinstitute.org/
FAQs
Schedule
Is your practice entirely virtual?
No, I take in-person appointments but can accommodate a virtual video or phone appointment for any time slot.
I am available to meet clients in person in my U District office Tuesday and Thursday.
How much notice do you require for cancellations or rescheduling a session?
I request a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session, as that gives me time to contact other clients that may need services.
The fee for a cancellation or reschedule within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time is the full session fee.
Will we schedule the next session at the end of every session?
Ideally we will set recurring appointments on a clear cadence, such as every week or every other week for the next month, but I will confirm each appointment at the end of each session.
Do you require sessions to be at the same time every week?
I want to be flexible to meet client needs and do need the same appointment time each week.
Hours
I prefer to work standard office hours, around 9-5 M-F, but can accommodate times outside of that. If you work nights and need to meet at 6 AM, let’s talk about it. If you’re a new parent and want to meet at 9 PM when you’re feeding the baby, I want to help meet you where you are.
Payment
Fees are as follows:
50 minute sessions
$175 for 50 minute individual sessions (Intakes are 80 minutes but I do not charge extra)
$200 for 50 minute couples/family sessions
80 minute sessions
$260 for individual
$300 for couples
25 minute sessions
$100 for 25 minute individual session (for established clients only)
What payment methods do I accept?
Credit card payments for all appointments, cash for in-person appointments only. If either of these methods are challenging for you let me know and we can work something out.
Payment is due at the beginning of each session.
I am a healthcare provider so you can use your HSA card.
Do I take insurance?
I do not take insurance and am considered an out-of-network provider for all plans, however I am able to provide super bills so you can submit a claim to your insurer for OON reimbursement.