I am available to clients Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

When are your in person days?

Thursday: 10am-5pm

Saturdays NOW open: 10am-6pm. I have 2 weekly & 1 bi-weekly time slot left.

My in person office is located at:

618 South 223rd Street Des Moines WA 98198

My office is number 6 on the second floor in the corner.

How far are you from:

Burien- 10/15 min, Kent- 10/15 min, Tacoma- 20/30 min, Federal Way- 20 min, Auburn- 20/25 min, Seattle- 25/30 min

• These times are guesstimates please factor in traffic time.

Cancellation- At least 24 hours in advance (1 business day). If the session is cancelled with less than 24 hours the full private pay session rate will be charged.

No Show- Therapy session is scheduled, and client does not show without prior notification. The full private pay session rate will be charged.

Credit cards (Mastercard or Visa), Health Savings Account (HSA). Credit card payments are processed through Simple Practice HIPPA secure platform. Payment is due at the end of each session.

I accept Premera and Lifewise.

Some insurance plans (Anthem, BCBS Illinois/Alaska) are covered by Premera through the Blue Card Program. (Note: Boeing plans are covered by Regence which I do not accept.) Please call your insurance provider to make sure you are covered by Premera.

For out of state Art Therapy services, I do not take insurance. (See What is Art Therapy question below)

Art Therapy is an alternative way to give voice to that which is not easily expressed with words. Art Therapy uses art process and products to work through and deal with problems many people face to help them develop their potential to live healthy and satisfying lives. Art making can be calming and therapeutic in nature, as well as be an outlet for self-expression based on your treatment goals.

What does ATR-P mean?

Art Therapist Provisional. Provisional means I am working toward my full Art Therapy (ATR) credential. To receive my ATR I have to complete 100 hours of supervised work. My supervisor is Amelia Upton a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC).

I do not have any artistic talent can I still participate in Art therapy?

The beautiful thing about art therapy is participants can be any age and be at any skill level. You do not need any experience in art making to participate. Art Therapy focuses on the process of creating and expressing yourself rather than the finished product.

But I want telehealth sessions can I do Art Therapy?

You can absolutely still participate in Art Therapy via telehealth. I utilize computer technology such as digital drawing, collaging, whiteboard, and picture applications. You can also bring basic supplies you have at home to your telehealth therapy session.

Will you interpret my artwork?

Art Therapists do not interpret art imagery; however, I will help you discover your own meaning through the art making process.

What happens to my artwork?

At the end of session, you can decide to either take your artwork home or leave it in my office. If artwork is left at the office I will handle it with care and keep it safe until you decide to take it home. At the end of therapy, you have the right to request any artwork you would like to take home. Otherwise, any artwork left with me will be documented and kept safe for 7 years post terminating therapy. After 7 years I will ethically destroy the artwork.

I live in another state. Can you really provide Art Therapy to me?

Yes. The American Art Therapy Association (https://arttherapy.org/credentials-and-licensure/) and the Art Therapy Credentials Board (https://atcb.org/) recognize Art Therapy as a national license. Due to this national license I can provide Art Therapy to clients in other states. However, I can not accept insurance from other states. Out of state Art Therapy clients will need to use my Private Pay rates or sliding scale (if available).

Transracial adoption or interracial adoption refers to placing a child of one racial/ethnic group with adoptive parents of another racial/ethnic group. For example, I am a transracial adoptee because I am Latina/Hispanic, but my adoptive family is Caucasian.

1) Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call by email (mmelamed@cmpcollective.com) or schedule it yourself through this link.

2) Complete a consultation call with me where we determine fit, look at scheduling, and discuss billing options. If we are not a good fit, I will help you find a referral for another therapist.

3) If you decide to move forward with me you will become a client, and we will find the perfect time for your regular sessions on my schedule. I will send you all of my intake paperwork for you to electronically sign before the first session.

4) The first session is an intake appointment where I gather your mental health history. This session is different from your regular sessions. If you are using insurance, I will provide you with a diagnosis to ensure insurance covers your therapy sessions. If you are private pay, I will not provide a diagnosis unless you need superbills.

5) Participate in your regularly scheduled therapy sessions!