Hi, I'm Lane. I know that looking for a therapist-- finding the right "fit" and someone you can trust--can be a daunting process. Let me tell you a little about my practice, and if you have any questions, please reach out and ask me. Over my 15 years in various forms of clinical practice, I have accumulated a number of techniques for helping folks feel more whole in their daily experience. In terms of first principles, I believe that it's my job to get to know and to honor your truth and endemic wisdom. I'm here to be a compassionate partner in your self-exploration. Honesty, transparency, and trust in our relationship is paramount. I am always interested in hearing your thoughts and feelings about our working relationship. Most times, talking about what's happening in the moment, in our interactions, is therapeutic, and leads to new skills that can be deployed in everyday life. Therapy is a place to learn about and practice being authentic, noticing along the way the places you might have had to curtail your truths to cope in previous situations. Please be aware of a few policies in navigating the Grow Therapy platform: - Please note I only see individuals and groups. I don't currently offer couples therapy. - I am ethically obligated to assess your needs before initiating therapy and telehealth. I ask that you complete the intake form at least 12 hours before our appointment, so I can arrive prepared to meet you in depth. - Therapy services are not officially begun until after we complete a live intake session and you sign my personal informed consent documents, which I will send to you after the live intake appointment is complete. - Please note that I do not monitor the Grow Therapy messenger regularly, and it is not a good way to communicate with me about any urgent or time-sensitive issues. Please use email or call my phone number. - I enjoy seeing teens and young adults for therapy, but I do not see children younger than 13. Legal, court-mandated, and custody issues are not within my scope of practice.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

When you book an intake appointment, I will send you a welcome email with some instructions and remind you to complete the intake form if you haven't already. A robust intake form helps me arrive at our first session informed and prepared to meet you where you are, so that you get the most out of your session time. The intake session is a little more structured and exploratory than a "regular" session would be; I will ask you questions that will help me make sure I can serve you with my background and training, and that will help me set up the beginning of a treatment plan. My treatment plans are always evolving as we get to know each other, and are always open to input from you. The first session also is a time for you to get a feel for me, whether you feel comfortable with me. I'll make sure there's time for any questions that you have. If we both decide to continue to explore together, we'll talk about booking a follow-up session or a series of sessions from there.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I don't see people as a cluster of symptoms, but that is often what we're most aware of, or first aware of, when we're looking for a therapist. So to use that vernacular, I work with depression and anxiety, social phobia, chronic illness, end of life issues, family and relational issues, suicidal thoughts, issues of loneliness and isolation, grief and loss, feelings of "languishing", issues of identity. Though it is not the focus of my private practice, I have worked with psychosis, mood disorders, homelessness and other severe psychosocial stressors.

About Lane Ratchford, LMFT, CHt