FAQ

Where are you located?
We are currently entirely virtual, with near-future potential for in-person visits in the University Place/ Fircrest area in Tacoma, WA.
What are your hours?

We try to be flexible to meet our client needs and have some morning, afternoon, and evening hours. This depends on the day booked and how full our schedules are.

For our global clients, we are happy to find mutually agreeable blocks to meet your time zone needs.

Please call for availability and how we can work to meet your needs.

Do you offer video sessions?

Yes, we offer Zoom sessions at present. Phone sessions available if you are unable to do video.

What kind of psychotherapy do you offer?
We offer individual, couples, adolescent, and family therapy. Our approach is person-centered, collaborative and humanistic.

We incorporate integrative, psychodynamic, relational and transpersonal techniques, and some cognitive behavioral elements.

We also offer specific trauma-based therapies such as EMDR and trauma integration work, addressing both acute and chronic traumas across the life spectrum.

How long are sessions?

The first initial session is an intake that lasts 90 minutes. All subsequent follow-up sessions are 60 minutes. We spend an additional 30 minutes (pre- and post-session combined) on your care, such as documentation, resources, case conceptualization…

How often will we meet?

Coaching and psychotherapy is most effective when it is consistent and regular. For this reason, most of our clients meet weekly. We do understand situations vary, and we can discuss this.

How do I set up our first appointment?
All you need to do is fill out the contact form to let us know you are interested in a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation.

During the call, we will have an opportunity to learn more about each other. If it feels like a good fit for both of us, we will schedule an intake appointment.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes, we offer a complimentary 30-minute phone or video consultation in which we decide if we are a good fit.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you anticipate needing to change a set appointment and call in advance of 24 hours, we would be happy to find another time that works for you during the week, if our mutual schedules permit. 

No changes can be made within 24 hrs of your appointment. I charge for missed appointments and cancellations under 24 hrs (except in emergency situations). If you do not show up or contact me within the first 20 minutes of our session time, the appointment will be considered canceled and I will no longer be available.

If you cancel within 24 hours, we will charge your card/account for the full session fee.

 

 

What is the process for working with us?
No matter what service you need, our process follows a similar protocol.

First, we will set up a 30-minute complimentary phone consultation. During this call, we will discuss your needs, what you hope to accomplish, and how we can serve you.

This call is an opportunity for you to ask any questions or raise any concerns that you may have about potentially working together. We can then discuss which of our services best fits your needs.

Second, we will set up an intake appointment. If this feels like a good fit for both of us, we will send you some paperwork to fill out. Please return those forms to us before we meet for the intake session. We will review those forms to prepare for your intake.

The intake session offers us an opportunity to hear more of your story, as well as your hopes for growth, goals, concerns, or questions that you may have.

We will explore further questions to better understand more about the help that you are seeking. This is a collaborative meeting in which we work together to learn more about you and ways of working together.

Third, in follow-up sessions we will explore and work with the topics and areas that matter to you and that we have prioritized together. We will design an approach and method that resonates with you.

We are happy to collaborate with any other health and wellness providers, who we agree would be beneficial to those goals.

What age groups do you work with?
We typically work with adult individuals aged 20 and above. Aaron does reserve limited slots for adolescent and family work. If you are interested, please contact him to inquire about availability.
Do you work with couples?
While we primarily work with individuals, we do have some spaces for couples’ work. Please contact us to inquire about these potential openings.
Do you host seminars or retreats for groups?
Yes, please contact us for more information about this.
What happens in sessions?
Sessions are individually tailored to fit your needs. Depending on the type of service you are using or the type of psychotherapy, sessions can vary. Some may be more structured where we work toward a specific goal. In other cases, we may go more with the flow and see what it is that comes up for you and how things naturally unfold.

The most important thing to know is that this is a space where we collaboratively craft together where you are in your life. It is open to your creativity, needs, and what serves you best.

Do I have to take my shoes off?
No, we won’t make you take off your shoes. Unless you really want to. We won’t judge you for socks with holes, smelly feet, or what kind of socks you are wearing.

You will probably find us in comfy socks with no shoes on. We find it easier to be grounded and comfortable without the clunky shoes.

Do you give homework assignments?
Again, it depends on what resonates with you. We may suggest some reflection time, an exercise, or something that we feel might serve as a catalyst to your growth. These suggestions are always optional.

We will find a way to get you what you need in a way that feels natural and organic. No homework required.

Do you take insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider, which means we do not directly take insurance. We collect payment for our services at the time of your visit.

You may choose to check with your insurance company about whether they will reimburse you for all or a portion of our fee. If your insurance company agrees to do so, you can submit to them a receipt or superbill that we would provide to you. This bill will have all of the billing codes for our services.

For coaching and consultation services, clients may be able to get reimbursed as part of “professional development” costs or tax-deductions – please discuss this possibility with your workplace, licensing board, and/or accountant, and make your decision based on their advice. We are happy to provide you with needed statements of payment, to support your efforts at reimbursement.

What are your rates?

Sahana D’Silva’s hourly rate starts at USD $225. Contact Aaron Pascoe for rates.

First sessions may cost more, as they are longer and involve more work in setting us up for future success. The exact rate depends on the service that best fits your needs, through our Explorer’s call discussion. Let’s discuss it there!

Sliding Scales:

We do hold a few openings for lower cost services. Rates are determined by demonstrated income level and need. These fill up quickly. Please call if you are interested and think you may qualify based on your income.

What modalities do you use?
Our approach is primarily person-centered, humanistic, and existential. We draw from many different disciplines, wisdom and healing traditions, depending on what is most meaningful to you.

Ultimately, this is your journey. We are here to help cultivate a space that most aligns with who you are.

Your practice seems kind of faith-based. How does this influence the work you do?
At Tree of Life Soul-Centered Wellness, we believe deeply that each of us in our own way experiences the numinous, the indescribable, and unique pulse of life.

We believe that we are more than just biology, psychology, and social models. There exists a unique part of each of us that is more than simply the sum of all our parts.

We each can name, feel, and connect with this Whole in our own way. For some, that may be a shared religious path like Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism. For others, it may be our own individualized relationship with the divine.

Whatever and wherever your beliefs take you, we accept and hold them as a valuable and significant part of you that should be honored.

We have worked with clients from many religions, spiritual paths, agnostic, atheist, etc. What we care about is helping people find that spark that ignites their lifeforce and brings them into their best self.

What are Aaron Pascoe’s training and credentials?

In 2007, Aaron received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology with a Neuroscience minor from Wilkes University and became a Reiki Master Teacher, Usui Reiki in 2010. Aaron received his Master of Arts in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology from Saybrook University in 2017.

Aaron’s professional credentials include:

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Washington Department of Health #60829462

Clinical and Board Member, Washington Pastoral Counseling Association

Clinical Member, Association of Humanistic Psychology

Clinical Member, Association for Transpersonal Psychology.

His several types of clinical experience include:

Advanced Doctoral Internship, University of Washington (2015/16)

Child Psychiatric Specialist, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. (2010/13)

Aaron Pascoe describes his life experience

For me, the processes of introspection and personal development are fundamental aspects of being and ways of making sense of the world, ways of becoming fully human.

I view life as an unfolding mystery and have spent considerable time exploring the edges of meaning and the borderlands of being both privately (reading, meditation, journaling, traveling, spiritual retreats, etc.) and with support (therapy, educational training, spiritual guidance, etc.).

In my view, our lives merge with the world around us. As we are changed by the world, so too do we change the world. The process of personal inquiry is a commitment to understanding not only our inner worlds, but also the outer world in which we live.

My life has offered me many opportunities to open-up to the depths of this human experience. Each season of my life has seen its share of visitors in the form of grief, loss, transition, joy, love, deep sorrow, angst, and uncertainty. These visitors have all left me more prepared and more available to engage with the soul of the world.

Embodying each of these experiences, opening-up to their ‘Truth,’ wisdom, and guidance have given me the resources to speak with others about the varied and many emotional states, experiences, and processes of life from “the inside,” thus creating a container for deep and profound healing.

Finally, my own spiritual commitment, the practice of returning to the solace and truth of my own life journey, to the wisdom of experience, and to inherent wholeness is my commitment to the process of healing and transformation. I do this both for myself and for clients, who are already on or maybe embarking on their own personal journey toward healing, growth, and transcendence.

What are Sahana D’Silva’s training and credentials?
Sahana is a board-certified psychiatrist, working part-time at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. She has training in clinical research, mental health in primary care, and global public health, with a focus on Leadership, Policy and Management.

Her clinical specialization is in psychological trauma and recovery and well-being within a family, community, and cultural context.

She has experience in outpatient integrated primary care psychiatry consultations in culturally diverse community mental health settings.

Sahana D’Silva’s qualifications

Sahana’s specific qualifications include:

“Psychiatry in Primary Care” research fellowship, University of Washington in Seattle, WA

Masters of Public Health in Global Health (mental health emphasis), Leadership, Policy and Management track

Kaiser Permanente (previously Group Health Cooperative) outpatient psychiatrist and psychiatric outpatient consultations to primary care providers in Washington state

Psychiatry residency training at George Washington University in Washington, DC

Medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine with an MS in Clinical Research Methods

“Spirituality in Medicine” travel year with extended experiences set up of traditional healing systems

Barnard College, New York City, NY

Multicultural background to clinical work – born in India, childhood and early adulthood years between Bangalore, India, and New York City.

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Why would I consider paying for a psychiatrist’s rate of fees when I could see a Master’s level therapist?
Sahana D’Silva has many years of experience and training, not only in the mental health field from an illness standpoint, but also from a wellness and growth standpoint.

She brings the skills and qualities listed previously into the services she offers to clients. So, consider not that you are paying a higher fee for an MD compared to an M.S. degree therapist, but that you are paying for someone with a vast and varied skill set and benefiting from that expansive training and background that she brings to this work.

If you have medical concerns, she can coordinate care with your other healthcare providers, and she brings medical awareness to the care she offers you.

If you need mental health treatment that combines psychotherapy or integrative psychiatry with medications, consultation from a psychiatrist, well-versed in medications, facilitates strong collaboration with your primary healthcare provider. This provides better fine tuning of your psychiatric medications through someone who knows you well from psychotherapy.

If you are a physician seeking personal or professional leadership development coaching or consulting, Sahana’s direct personal experience as a physician with inpatient and outpatient work background facilitates a deeper understanding of your challenges in a way that others may not be able to appreciate.

In addition, she is a skilled and powerful coach, healer, and psychotherapist.

Does Sahana D’Silva prescribe psychiatric medication?
While she continues to practice part-time elsewhere in prescribing medication and staying current with this knowledge, she does not prescribe medications within the Tree of Life practice. She is more than happy to collaborate with your currently prescribing physician regarding your medications and decisions related to psychotherapy progress.
What does Integrative Psychiatry as a service include?

Integrative Psychiatry includes a comprehensive review of your physical and mental health in various areas of your life.

As a consultation service, Sahana will make recommendations for your treatment and wellness plan that relate to your mental health, physical conditions that affect mental health, preventive habits that support mental wellness, integrative modality practices such as yoga and acupuncture, and systems-based healing work like Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda.

You can then choose to continue to work on these aspects with other practitioners, with or without continued coordination with her.

She may discuss some aspects of nutrition and lifestyle practices that support your health. She also may make some recommendations about nutritional supplements. She is open to working with clients who choose to pursue psychedelic-assisted coaching and psychotherapy.

She does not offer functional medicine-based lab testing, extensive nutraceutical recommendations, hormone rebalancing. etc., but she is open to close collaboration with your healthcare providers that do this work.