This idea was born from the needs expressed by parents and caregivers in my community. 

I have found that when some parents reach out seeking therapy services for themselves, their child, or their family, they often just need guidance--a little nudge, some insight, and a space to feel supported.

Sure, sometimes as they begin to see a clear path forward, therapy services are part of that journey. But many times, parents feel equipped and empowered enough to tackle their challenges independently. 

Enter: Office Hours. Just like a professor who makes herself available to students for drop-in questions at a regularly-scheduled time, I will be logged in and ready to answer your questions about parenting, kids, and all things mental health. If your question is not within my scope of practice, I will do my best to point you in the right direction. 

Now that you know a bit about what Office Hours are, let me be clear about what they are not.

These sessions are not a professional consultation. Yes, I am a professional. Yes, the meeting shares some qualities of a consultation. However, multiple factors separate this meeting from a professional consultation, including: 

• The setting - I do not (and would not) conduct a professional consultation in a drop-in group setting open to the public. 

• The relationship - A professional relationship is clearly defined and consented to by both parties. You are just someone showing up with questions, and I am someone showing up with answers. 

• The fee (or lack thereof) - Professional consultations are paid services with fee agreements, goals, and expectations. 

• The format - Your questions should be relatively specific and answerable in about 5-10 minutes of feedback from me. I may combine questions, narrow them, or pare them down. This allows for multiple questions to be addressed in one session to respect everyone's time. If questions are more complex, I will use my time to give enough of a response to orient you toward more appropriate resources.

• The scope - The questions should be an inquiry seeking my input--not a deep dive in to your experience as a human raising kids. I love your experience. I value your experience. I hope we can connect over our shared experiences. And yet unpacking your experience will not be the focus of these meetings.

Which brings me to my next important distinction: These sessions are not therapy. These sessions are distinguished from therapy in many ways, including:

• The setting - This is not a confidential therapeutic space.

• The relationship - A professional relationship is clearly defined, boundaried, and consented to by the therapist and at least one identified patient. A therapeutic relationship is very specific and protected practically, legally, and ethically. The therapist assumes certain responsibilities (such as confidentiality), and the patient is granted privileges. This *gestures at the space between us* is not that. 

• The fee (or lack thereof) - Therapy is a paid service with fee agreements linked to a therapy agreement. 

• The format - Therapy sessions are contained within a specific time allotment. There are identified presenting problems ("symptoms," if you will). Treatment is laid out and organized by a treatment plan and tracked with clinical documentation. The process is structured. Etc., etc..

• The scope - In addition to everything above, the scope is also limited by what and how we discuss. While I may ask questions and encourage you to reflect, we will not be processing content in a therapeutic manner. 

If you have any questions about what this meeting is or isn't--especially to help you distinguish these meetings from professional services including therapy--please do not hesitate to ask.