Getting Started

Therapy works best when you feel empowered and informed. So let's walk through exactly what working with Riverbank Therapy looks like - from that very first contact all the way through to what happens in your sessions.

step 1: reach out to us

Fill out our contact form, and our intake coordinator will respond to your inquiry via email or text to match you with the therapist on our team who matches your needs. From there, you’ll talk insurance, fees, and logistics and will schedule a free 20-minute virtual consultation.

step 2: attend your free 20 minute consultation

This will be with the therapist themselves, so that you can ensure they’re the right fit for you. This is a low-pressure conversation where you can ask questions, share a bit about what you're looking for, and schedule your intake session.

Step 3: complete your intake forms

Once you’ve completed your free consultation and have your first appointment scheduled, you'll receive a link to our secure client portal (we use Theranest/Ensora). You will complete your intake paperwork at your convenience before your first session. This is a way to share your story before you even walk in the (real or virtual) door. Your therapist will review this before your first session so you don't have to start from scratch.

Step 4: attend your initial intake session

Your first appointment is typically 53-60 minutes. We call this your intake session. This is where you and your therapist will:

• Talk about what brings you to therapy

• Discuss what your life looks like right now

• Explore your goals and hopes for therapy

• Decide together how often you'd like to meet

• Create an initial plan for your work together

Step 5: ongoing therapy

After your intake, sessions are generally 53-60 minutes and typically happen weekly or every other week, depending on what makes sense for you. You and your therapist will check in periodically about how things are going and adjust your plan as needed.

about insurance and payment

How much does therapy cost?

Self-pay rates (for individuals, couples, and families):

• Intake session: $175

• Ongoing sessions: $160

Graduate student intern rates:

• Intake session: $75

• Ongoing sessions: $50

If you're using insurance: Your cost will depend on your specific plan, and whether you have a copay, coinsurance, or if you're working toward your deductible. We'll verify this for you before you start so you know what to expect.

What insurance do you accept?

Therapists on our team are in-network with:

• Premera

• Lifewise

• Kaiser PPO (and HMO with prior authorization)

• First Choice Health

• Coordinated Care (Medicaid)

• Ambetter

• Molina (Medicaid, Marketplace, and Commercial plans)

We are out of network providers with Aetna, Cigna, Optum/United Healthcare, and Regence.

(Read our blog post on Insurance 101 for more info)

What if you don't take my insurance?

Even if we're out-of-network with your insurance, we can still help. We courtesy bill for all clients using their insurance, regardless of our in or out of network status with your insurance carrier. This means that you do not have to deal with submitting superbills to your insurance and waiting for reimbursement. We submit the claims on your behalf, and we wait for insurance reimbursement. Read more about superbills and courtesy billing here.

Do you offer reduced rates?

Yes. We have a limited number of reduced rate slots (from $90/session) available for clients who have financial need. We also offer payment plans. If cost is a barrier for you, please mention this to our intake coordinator before your consultation and we'll work with you to find a solution.

Does insurance cover couples and family therapy?

We don't accept insurance for couples or family therapy, so these sessions are always private pay at our standard self-pay rates ($175 intake, $160 ongoing). If you’re curious about why we don’t bill insurance for couples counseling, read more here.

faq about therapy in general

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

If you're asking this question, therapy is probably worth exploring. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons: they're feeling stuck, anxious, depressed, disconnected, or going through a major life transition. They might be dealing with past trauma, struggling in their relationships, or just wanting to understand themselves better.

If you're feeling unhappy, overwhelmed, or like you're not living the life you want - therapy can help. And if you're still not sure? That's exactly what our free 20-minute consultation is for.

What's the difference between a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and counselor?

Great question, because it can be confusing! Here's the short version:

• Therapist/Counselor/Social Worker: These terms are often used interchangeably. At Riverbank, our team includes Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), and Associates of all of these professions (that is a post-graduate clinician who is still practicing under supervision for full licensure). We all provide talk therapy and use evidence-based therapy approaches to help you meet your goals. We cannot prescribe medication.

• Psychologist: Typically has a PhD or PsyD and can do therapy as well as psychological testing. Psychologists also cannot prescribe medication.

• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health. They can prescribe medication and sometimes provide therapy, though most focus primarily on medication management.

All of our therapists at Riverbank Therapy are licensed mental health professionals trained to provide high-quality therapy.

How long does therapy take?

Honest answer? It depends. Some people come to therapy for a specific issue and work with us for a few months. Others find therapy valuable for years as they work through deeper patterns or navigate ongoing life challenges.

We work best with clients who are interested in longer-term therapy (several months to a year or more), though we'll always respect your timeline and goals. During your intake, you and your therapist will talk about what makes sense for your situation, and can always adjust along the way.

We often also see clients who do therapy for a few months, a year, or more, then take a break, and come back to therapy later on if or when another concern arises. This is always welcome!

What if I don't feel better right away?

Therapy isn't a straight line to feeling better, and that's completely normal. Sometimes things feel harder before they feel easier.

That said, you should feel like therapy is helpful even if it's not always easy. If something doesn't feel right, whether it's the approach, the pace, or the fit with your therapist, please say something. Your therapist wants to hear this and will work with you to adjust or find other options that are a better fit for you if needed.

Check out our blog here on how to get the most out of therapy.

What if my therapist and I aren't a good fit?

Fit matters enormously in therapy. If you're not connecting with your therapist, we can help you find someone else on our team who might be a better match. There's no judgment in this. We want you to work with someone you trust and feel comfortable with. As therapists, we often say to ourselves “we can’t be all things to all people”, and we’ll understand if you feel you need a different person or approach. Ultimately we want to support you in getting what you need!

Do I have to do "homework" between sessions?

Some therapists might suggest things to practice or reflect on between sessions, maybe 10-15 minutes a day of journaling, mindfulness, or trying out a new skill. But this varies by therapist and by what you're working on. Your therapist will talk with you about what might be helpful, and you always get to decide what feels doable for you.

faq about therapy at riverbank

How do I choose which therapist is right for me?

Start by browsing our Riverbank Therapy Team page. Each therapist has their own profile where they share their specialties, therapeutic approaches, who they work best with, and a bit about their style.

Look for someone who:

• Specializes in what you're dealing with (anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, etc.)

• Works with your age group (teens, adults, couples, families)

• Has an approach that resonates with you

• Offers the format you need (in-person in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, or virtual anywhere in Washington)

Still not sure, or feel like you’d be okay working with anyone? Contact us and our intake coordinator will help match you with the best fit and get your free 20 minute consultation scheduled!

Do you offer in-person or virtual therapy?

Both! Most of our therapists offer both in-person sessions at our office in Seattle (Queen Anne, right by the Fremont bridge) and virtual sessions anywhere in Washington state. Some therapists are virtual-only. You can see this information on each therapist's profile.

What ages do you work with?

Our therapists work with teens aged 13 and up, adults, couples, and families (where all members are 13+). Different therapists specialize in different age groups, so check individual profiles to find the right match.

Can you coordinate my care with my other providers?

Yes! If you're also working with a primary care doctor, psychiatrist, naturopath, physical therapist, or other provider, we can coordinate with them (with your permission). This helps everyone supporting you have a fuller picture so you get holistic, integrated care.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Life happens, we get it. We ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. We’ll go over our specific cancellation policies in the intake paperwork you’ll fill out before your first session, and will review those policies at intake.

What approaches do Riverbank’s therapists use?

You're not here to be fixed, because you're not broken. You're here because something in your life isn't working the way you want it to, and you're ready to do something about it.

Our therapists use a range of evidence-based approaches, such as CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, IFS, EFT, somatic therapy, and more. (Don't worry if those acronyms mean nothing to you, your therapist will explain their approach in plain language. You can also read our blog here to find out more about some of them.)

What matters most is that therapy is collaborative. You and your therapist work together to understand what's happening, why it's happening, and what you want to change. You're in the driver's seat. Your therapist is there to walk alongside you, to offer perspective, teach you skills, challenge you when helpful, and support you through the hard stuff.

Therapy is an investment of time, money, and emotional energy. We take that seriously, and we're committed to making it as accessible and effective as possible.

Click to see how we can help with your DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, and TRAUMA.

Click to read our blog posts on HOW TO START THERAPY, HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THERAPY, and PRE/POST SESSION RECOMMENDATIONS.

Click to make a little more sense about INSURANCE.

If you are a therapist looking for mentorship or support with your business, Toni provides business consultation.