Does Washington have mental health parity laws?

Yes. Washington's mental health parity law (aligned with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act) requires insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services at the same level as physical health services. In practice, this matters most if you have insurance coverage. Francesca is currently an out-of-network provider, but clients with PPO plans may be eligible for reimbursement — discuss during your free consultation.

Can I still work with Francesca if I'm planning to move to another state?

Telehealth licensure is tied to the state where you are physically located at session time, not your long-term residence. If you're in the process of relocating outside Washington or California, we can discuss a thoughtful transition plan. Francesca is also licensed in California, so clients who split time between both states can continue without interruption.

How do I access sessions from a rural part of Washington?

Telehealth is designed precisely for situations where geography creates barriers. Sessions run through SimplePractice, which is accessible via any modern browser — no app download required. You need a reliable internet connection and a private space. Clients join from small towns, rural Eastern Washington, and remote corners of the state just as easily as from Seattle.

Washington Telehealth Therapy · LMHC-Licensed

Telehealth Therapy for Washington Residents

Francesca Licciardi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington state, offering integrative telehealth therapy to individuals and couples across the state — from Seattle and the Puget Sound to Spokane, Olympia, and beyond.

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Washington Licensure

Washington-Licensed, Washington-Aware

Francesca holds licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) through the Washington State Department of Health — the governing body for mental health clinicians practicing in the state.

The LMHC credential in Washington requires a graduate-level degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, extensive post-degree supervised clinical hours, and successful passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or equivalent. It authorizes the practice of psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and groups across the full range of mental and behavioral health concerns.

Washington state has made meaningful investments in mental health access and telehealth infrastructure, and the LMHC credential is among the most established pathways for licensed clinical care. Your sessions are conducted by a clinician who meets Washington's standards, operates under ethical guidelines enforced by the DOH, and carries professional liability insurance.

Telehealth Location Requirement

Washington telehealth law requires clients to be physically located within Washington state at the time of each session. If you are traveling out of state, sessions must be paused until you return. Francesca is also licensed in California, so clients who split time between both states can continue uninterrupted.

Who Francesca Works With

Therapy That Understands Washington Life

Washington state carries a particular quality of life — proximity to wilderness, a strong culture of independence, and, for many, the relentless pace of the technology sector. Francesca works with clients who are navigating all of it.

From Seattle's tech-forward identity to Tacoma's working-class roots, from Spokane's quieter rhythms to Bellevue's suburb-city tension, Washington offers a diverse emotional landscape. Francesca works with clients across Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane, Everett, Olympia, Bellingham, Vancouver, and communities throughout the state — all via secure telehealth.

Common presenting concerns from Washington clients include burnout and identity questions in the tech industry, relationship difficulty that surfaces alongside career-building, grief and loss, seasonal depression amplified by long winters and limited daylight, anxiety and depression that co-exist with high functioning, and existential questions that arise in a culture that prizes productivity over reflection.

For couples, Washington's dual-income, achievement-oriented culture can quietly erode connection. Francesca's Imago Therapy training helps partners develop the communication depth to stay genuinely close — not just logistically synchronized.

Getting Started

Therapy, Without the Commute

Starting therapy in Washington through Helios requires a private space, a reliable internet connection, and the willingness to begin. Sessions take place via SimplePractice — a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform accessible through any browser on laptop, tablet, or phone.

Your first step is a free 15-minute consultation call. Francesca will listen to what brings you in, explain her approach, and together you'll decide whether the fit is right. A first full session is typically available within one to two weeks of that call.

Insurance & Fees in Washington

Francesca is an out-of-network provider in Washington state. Clients with PPO plans through employer-sponsored or private insurance may be eligible for partial out-of-network reimbursement using a superbill provided after each session. Washington's mental health parity laws mean your insurer must evaluate mental health claims the same way they evaluate physical health claims. Fee details are discussed during the free consultation.

Washington-Specific Questions

Yes. Washington's mental health parity law — aligned with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act — requires insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use services at the same level as physical health services. This is most relevant if you have insurance you'd like to use. Francesca is currently an out-of-network provider, but clients with PPO plans may be eligible for reimbursement through a superbill. Your specific situation will be clarified during the free consultation.

Telehealth licensure is tied to the state where you are physically located at session time. If you're preparing to relocate outside Washington or California, Francesca can work with you to create a thoughtful transition plan before your move. She holds licensure in both Washington and California, so if you're moving between these two states, your care can continue uninterrupted.

Both are licensed clinical providers authorized to provide psychotherapy in Washington. An LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) trains primarily in counseling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and groups. An LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) enters through the social work pathway, emphasizing social systems and community-based practice. Both are fully qualified to provide therapy — the distinction lies in training background and theoretical emphasis, not scope of clinical authority.

Telehealth was built to bridge exactly this gap. Sessions run through SimplePractice, which requires only a browser and a reliable internet connection — no app download, no special equipment. Clients join from Eastern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, rural river valleys, and island communities just as easily as from Seattle. If your connection is unreliable, audio-only sessions are also available as a backup.

Telehealth Therapy for Washington Residents

Washington-Licensed, Washington-Aware

Telehealth Location Requirement

Therapy That Understands Washington Life

Therapy, Without the Commute

Insurance & Fees in Washington

Therapy Hub

Therapy in California

Clinical Hypnotherapy

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Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?