Thistle Counseling

I'm Megan. A lot of unexpected twists and turns brought me here. Like many people, I've held (and hold!) a lot of identities: artist, goat rancher, horsewoman, mother, chronic-pain-survivor (every day!), storm-cloud-appreciator, counselor. I offer in-person and telehealth counseling services for individuals and couples from my office near downtown Redmond, Oregon. ||| Counselors don't choose a theoretical approach so much as one chooses us, and I am an existential therapist through and through. This means working with anxiety, depression, stress, and loss of the sense of who we are and what we want--the every day concerns of life that so color our existence--lights me up. I am empathetically attuned and able to pick up on subtleties that offer important clues and insights into these very personal concerns. As we work together, we'll explore your fears, your needs, your wants, and embolden you with the courage to live deliberately and congruently, in alignment with who you truly are. ||| The research shows us time and time again, what matters most in the client-counselor relationship is fit, and how you work with and feel about your counselor is so important--the most important thing about this journey. ||| You deserve to be heard. I know myself and who I am. One of my greatest joys is supporting you in discovering who you are again. I can't wait to meet you. ||| "Why Thistle?" In Scottish lore, thistles are closely associated with protection, perseverance, determination, and strength. In 2013, I lost one of my favorite people on earth to struggles with mental health. The thistle was her symbol. My logo is the tattoo I once designed for her. My counseling business name is a living testament to my commitment to mental healthcare. ||| "What are your credentials?" I am an Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT)-registered Professional Counselor Associate (Registration #R9499) working towards licensure. I graduated in 2024 with a Master of Counseling (MCOUN) degree from OSU-Cascades CACREP-accredited Master of Counseling program. As part of my training, I completed a 6-month practicum and a 12-month internship which involved hundreds of direct client hours. I am under the supervision of Julie Branaugh, LPC (OBLPCT #C2952), and Victoria Young, LPC, NCC (OBLPCT #C5760) through Centered Therapy in Bend. Both support me in my work with individuals and couples. I am a member of the American Counseling Association and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). I completed a 24-hour externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy in 2024 through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), the gold standard in couples counseling. I am familiar with Logotherapy (Meaning-Based Therapy), and have additional training in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Ecotherapy, and CBT for psychosis. I was also a member of the Central Oregon Behavioral Health Consortium from 2023-2024. Additionally, I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in painting and drawing from the University of Oregon in 2010, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Art with a minor in Biology from the University of Oregon in 2006. "Do you take insurance?" Yes! At this time, I am able to accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP), PacificSource Commercial Plans, Open Card, Aetna, Providence and private pay (cash pay where insurance is not used). You have options for your care. Please read on for more. ||| A Note on Rates & Financial Considerations: I am committed to making my services as accessible as possible. There are potential benefits and drawbacks to using health insurance to help pay for your care. Benefits include increased accessibility, convenience, lower out-of-pocket costs, and others! However, in support of informed consent and the transparency that I feel you deserve, it is important to note that insurance companies follow a medical model for mental health treatment that requires a covered mental health diagnosis in order for them to pay. They tend to place constraints on management of your care, including a set number of sessions you are permitted per year. Although currently protected by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a mental health diagnosis becomes part of your medical file and would be considered a pre-existing condition. That said, insurance is still the best option for a lot of folks!--and I am committed to supporting the accessibility it allows while working with you and in support of your needs. ||| "Why wouldn't someone use insurance?" Benefits of private pay include allowing you to decide when you begin and end therapy, control over whether or not you have to receive a diagnosis, and access to counseling support for self-esteem, relational issues, marital therapy, personal growth, and other important life concerns which insurance companies generally do not consider to be "medically necessary" and worthwhile to treat. Private pay also allows the time and energy I spend defending why you deserve to have access to mental health care to insurance companies to be rerouted: to reading and researching ways I can best help you reach your goals--whatever they may be. ||| Additionally, I adhere to the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics regarding client financial need (A.10.c) for establishing fees. If you would like to use insurance not listed above and have Out-Of-Network (OON) benefits, I can provide you with a superbill for reimbursement from your insurance company. I encourage you to contact your insurance directly about Out-Of-Network coverage and the benefits you are entitled to. Questions? I'm here for you. My job is supporting you in what you need. ||| "Did you take that picture?" Yep! I used to live in The Dalles, and it was a particularly incredible summer morning. ||| To learn more about me, my professional training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and psychotherapy, and my approach, simply copy/paste the link below: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/thistle-counseling-llc-redmond-or/1349377 ||| Ready to schedule? Have a question? Click the "Contact" icon above to connect today. |||