Eastside Mental Wellness

Dr. Gale Dhaliwal

Welcome to Eastside Mental Wellness. I am glad you are here. I help people navigate difficult life transitions, either because of a change in life circumstances (post-partum adjustment, divorce, bereavement, pregnancy loss, changes in career) or due to a medical diagnosis. I also work with caregivers around managing the challenges that lead to caregiver burnout. If your life has taken a difficult turn, we can find a new path forward together.

My advantages

I am a licensed Psychologist in the states of Washington and Utah (WA License #: PY60608642). I have a broad background in both empirical research and clinical interventions. I have provided individual and group therapy to diverse populations, worked as the mental health provider on acute medicine and ICU medical teams, and published as a behavioral health researcher. I look forward to working with you.

Weekend and evening hours available

Central office location

Wheelchair accessible

Full confidentiality

Specialties

Infertility

I see people across the full range of infertility experiences, from those first realizing that they may need help to have a baby, to those who have completed years of fertility treatments. Some clients seek therapy in the early stages of treatment in order to proactively develop skills to handle the stress and strong emotions involved in trying to have a child. Others begin therapy because they feel like infertility treatments have taken over their lives and they are struggling with intense anxiety, worry, depression, and sadness. Our work together will help you develop the tools to manage the stress of infertility, learn new communication skills to build support and understanding with the important people in your life, and help you rebuild a life that is bigger than your fertility issues.

Chronic Illness

Chronic illness affects nearly every aspect of your life. Whether you are newly diagnosed or living with a recent progression in your illness, our work together will focus on helping you cope with the changes your illness has created in your life while charting a new path forward. My approach is both realistic and optimistic. Illness brings unwanted, difficult changes but you can learn to handle them more skillfully with the right tools so our work will include skill training in such areas as pain management, stress-relief, and coping skills. We will also work to understand what gives your life value and create a concrete plan to help you do more of those things that matter to you. When it comes to tackling significant distress, practical coping tools AND deeper insights go hand-in-hand.

Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy loss, whether due to a miscarriage or intentional decision to end a pregnancy, is like taking a sharp turn onto an unexpected path. Research finds that talking about a painful experience helps us move forward with more resilience. Therapy provides a safe place for you to explore your reactions and process your new reality. Our work will focus on helping you develop the tools you need to move forward.

Bereavement

Though loss is an inevitable part of life, seldom are we taught the skills and coping mechanisms to handle profound grief. At times, the adjustment to a new diagnosis, the death of a loved one, or the demise of a relationship simply overload our coping mechanisms and we retreat into anger, numbness, depression, or isolation. Learn how to feel better in your daily life by identifying new sources of strength and coping

Caregiver Support

As a caregiver to someone with a chronic mental or physical illness, your needs often come last. Together, we can help you manage caregiver burnout and find a better balance between caring for oneself and others. I offer remote therapy (via video), once an initial intake-assessment is completed, or weekend hours (in office) to ease the logistical burden of therapy.

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety or depression may be a new feature of your life - the result of some significant shift in your health, relationships, life, or a long standing issue that resurfaces periodically. My approach integrates practical skill building, mindfulness techniques, and exploration of the underlying issues so you can understand yourself at a deeper level and make lasting change.

Billing Information

My current rate is $160 per 50 minute individual therapy session.
Payment Methods: I accept payment by cash, check, and all major credit cards.

Insurance: While I do not work directly with insurance companies, the majority of clients who have insurance are eligible to be reimbursed a significant portion of my fee. I am considered an out-of-network provider by most insurance companies. Upon request, I can provide a monthly receipt or superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. One of the benefits to being an out-of-network provider is that we can pace our treatment in ways that are governed by your needs and not by the managed medical care system. There is no need to provide a diagnosis or badger the insurance company for coverage. Equally important, this arrangement simplifies our financial interaction.

To determine if you will be reimbursed for my services by your insurance, the first thing you should do is call them. Protect yourself and do the research. Here are some questions to ask your insurance company:

Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
Does my plan cover services to out-of-network mental health providers?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session for an out-of-network provider?
How many sessions does my plan cover in a year? How many sessions do I have left?
Do I need pre-authorization or a referral from my PCP to see a therapist?
If I need preauthorization, do I need to call or does my therapist?
What is the deductible I have to meet before coverage to an out-of-network provider kicks in? How much of my deductible has already been met?
How much time do I have to file a claim for out-of-network services?
What is the process to get reimbursed for out-of-network services?