Get Started
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Step 1: Schedule a 15 minute consultation
This is an opportunity for us to briefly connect, discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether we're a good fit.
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Step 2: Client Portal & Paperwork
If we decide to work together, I’ll send a secure email with intake forms to complete before your first session.
I use an easy client portal where you can fill out paperwork, send me messages, request and cancel appointments and manage billing.
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Step 3: First Session
During our first session, we'll talk about what's bringing you to counseling, explore your goals, and begin developing a plan that feels right for you.
Therapy is a collaborative process. There is no pressure to have everything figured out before you begin.
We'll start where you are.
Contact Information
Chelsea Yamaguchi, MA, LPC
phone: 970.465.5775
email: chelsea@encountercounseling.co
office location: 917 Main St. Grand Junction, CO 81501
**My office is located upstairs on the second floor. Please note that the building does not have an elevator, and access to the office requires using stairs. If this creates a challenge, I offer secure telehealth appointments throughout Colorado and would be happy to discuss options such as telehealth with you.
Cost
$160 for 50- minute session
*HSA & FSA accepted
*A superbill is available for possible insurance reimbursement.
Why don’t you accept insurance?
I believe therapy works best when it is tailored to you—not to the requirements of an insurance company. By operating as a private-pay practice, I have the freedom to provide personalized care, maintain your privacy, and focus fully on what is most important to your growth and well-being.
For clients with out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill for possible reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Crisis Counseling
Encounter Counseling does not provide crisis counseling services.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency call 911, go to your local emergency room or call the
State Crisis Hotline at 1-844-493-8255.
FAQs
How often will we meet?
Most clients begin with weekly sessions and may transition to biweekly sessions as progress is made.
What can I expect during the first session?
We'll discuss what brings you to therapy, your goals, relevant background information, and what you hope to gain from our work together.
There is no pressure to share everything at once.
Do I need to be in crisis to start therapy?
Not at all.
Many of my clients are functioning well on the outside. They are managing careers, relationships, parenting, and responsibilities—but feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or disconnected from themselves.
You don't have to wait until things get worse to ask for support.
Where are sessions held?
Sessions are available in person at my Grand Junction office and through secure telehealth for Colorado residents or if you are unable to make it to a session in person.
What is your cancellation policy?
Appointments canceled with less than 48 hours notice may be subject to the full session fee.
Do you work with eating disorders and body image concerns?
Yes. I have training and experience supporting individuals struggling with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image concerns, and their relationship with food.
My approach is rooted in Intuitive Eating and focuses on helping clients develop a more flexible, trusting, and compassionate relationship with food and their bodies.
While some clients seek therapy specifically for these concerns, I often find that food and body image struggles are connected to broader issues such as anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-worth, and family patterns. Together, we can explore how these experiences may be impacting your overall well-being and relationship with yourself.
If you're unsure whether my practice is the right fit for your needs, I would be happy to discuss this during a consultation.
How long does therapy last?
Every person's goals are different. Some clients benefit from short-term support around a specific challenge, while others choose longer-term therapy for deeper personal growth.
Do you offer EMDR?
Yes. EMDR can be incorporated into treatment when appropriate and aligned with your goals.
Other people have it worse than me. Is my problem serious enough for therapy?
This is one of the most common concerns I hear.
The truth is, you don't have to earn the right to ask for support.
Many of my clients come to therapy because they're tired of feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves—not because they're in crisis.
Your struggles don't have to be compared to someone else's in order to matter.
If something is affecting your relationships, your well-being, your confidence, or your ability to enjoy your life, it's worth paying attention to.
You don't have to wait until you're completely burned out to get help.