How do I get started?

The first step in accessing services is to complete the New Client Initial Screening under the Get Started tab on the Selah website.  This brief form allows us to learn more about your scheduling needs, insurance type, areas for growth and history of symptoms.  After we receive the completed screening we will be in contact shortly about scheduling an intake, adding you to the wait list or providing community referrals.

What insurances are accepted?

See Rates & Insurance under the Get Started tab. Selah Counseling & Wellness is currently not in network with Providence, Optum or Cigna insurances.

What are you current office hours?

Selah Counseling & Wellness is working on currently expanding the clinical team.  In the meantime, Sarah Lenhart, LPC is available for appointments Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 8am – 5pm.  Some Tuesday appointments may be available. Sarah is not currently available for later evening appointments, Fridays or weekends.

Please contact Bryce Family Medicine for inquires regarding scheduling.

What are your attendance and late cancellation policies?

When you make an appointment we are reserving that time for you.  We do our best to schedule a day and time that will be convenient to your schedule. If you cancel an appointment with more than 24-hours notice, this provides us time to fill the space, and you will not be charged.  Selah Counseling & Wellness requires a 24-hour notice to cancel an appointment without a fee.  For Monday appointments cancellations should be made by the appointment start time on the previous Friday. We do not accept cancellation calls over weekends or holidays for the following day.

A late cancellation fee of $100 applies to appointments cancelled within 24-hours of the session as well as missed appointments/no-shows and this fee is not covered by insurance. Your credit card will be on file with Selah Counseling & Wellness and will be automatically charged if an appointment is cancelled without 24-hour notice.

If attendance becomes a chronic challenge, with more than three no shows or late cancellations, within a year long period, Selah Counseling & Wellness may choose to provide community referrals and discharge a client from services.  This decision would be made after notice of attendance challenges has been provided to the client.

What is your emergency and crisis counseling policy?

We are not available on-call and do not keep emergency hours. In order to provide consistently quality service to our clients, we set limits on availability.

We will always try to return phone calls or emails within a few hours when possible, however, for true emergencies, such as contemplating suicide, we advise people to call 911, or the Whitebird Crisis Center at 541-687-4000 or go to their nearest emergency room for safety, and ensure they get immediate attention.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

At Selah Counseling & Wellness we support the use of  prescribed medication under the care of a medical professional, but research best supports the use of medication along with mental health counseling to obtain the best outcomes.  We think of medication as one tool that many choose to utilize as part of their healing process.  Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the challenges you are experiencing, create change and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

The difference is between someone who can listen, offer advice and be a support, like we all hope our family and friends can, and participating in professional services with someone who has the training and experience to help you approach your situation in a new way.  Therapists listen to you without judgment or expectations, teach you new skills, support you in gaining different perspectives and help you develop increased self awareness and insight.

I’m new to counseling, how does the therapy process work?

Each person’s story is unique to them; thus their therapy experience will be custom to their personal needs, goals and areas for support and growth. At Selah Counseling & Wellness we don’t assume therapy is a one-size-fits-all experience and we partner with you for growth and healing.

Therapy is an opportunity to engage in a safe, non-judgmental relationship where you are able to be seen, heard and understood that is often unique to the counseling relationship.  This can lead to act as a “corrective emotional experience” that is often impactful and healing.  Therapy often includes support, feedback, encouragement, psychoeducation (fancy word for providing information/education) and skill-building but therapists shouldn’t be giving advice or answers.

“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” -Brené Brown

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.  As part of the intake process, your clinician will co-create your treatment plan with you where time frame for goal and objectives will be discussed.

If you have not engaged in therapy previously, the therapeutic process may temporarily increase symptoms or lead to feeling worse before you feel better.  While we can’t predict a timeline for when you’ll begin to feel better, what you bring to the process and your level of commitment often shapes what you’ll get out of the experience.

Will you participate in legal/custody disputes?

Selah Counseling & Wellness will not voluntarily participate in any litigation, or custody dispute in which a client is involved.   We will also not make any recommendation as to custody or visitation regarding our clients.