You do need to be located in Washington State for virtual therapy. This requirement can be confusing, especially since I might be located elsewhere. The reason for this is that the "place of service" is legally determined by where you, the client, are physically located, not where the provider is. While a provider can be physically located in a different state, they must be licensed in the state where the client is receiving services.

There are practical reasons for this legal requirement. Being licensed in a particular state means that the provider is familiar with that state’s laws and the resources available to you. This is important because, as your provider, I need to be able to:

• Know what local authorities to contact in case of a medical or mental health emergency during our session.

• Know your physical location in case we need to send help.

• Understand when we are legally obligated to break confidentiality, which can vary from state to state (and country to country).

For example, if I were located in Texas, it wouldn’t make sense for us to follow Texas laws (such as laws around abortion reporting) if you are in Washington State. As a client, you’ve consented to the laws that apply where you are located, and I am trained in the same local laws to ensure your safety and protection.