FAQS
ARE YOU CURRENTLY TAKING NEW CLIENTS?
I do not have the capacity to continue to update my website, but as of 2024 I usually have space open or have a very short wait list. Please feel free to reach out.
If you know we are a match in 1) insurance and pricing 2) philosophy and 3) schedule and still feel pulled to work with me even knowing you may have to wait, please feel free to reach out and schedule a consult call (we can still do a consult call to see if we would be a match and answer any questions you may have) or to be added to my waitlist. I can also, of course, attempt to give you some more referrals, or you can check out the resources page on my website for some referrals.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING WITH YOU AS A THERAPIST VS. AS A NUTRITIONIST?
This is a kind of complex question that we will talk about more in the consult call! The way I usually describe it is that my therapy self doesn't just disappear in nutrition sessions, it's just that we usually have a more focused goal of working on relationship to food and body, disordered eating, Intuitive Eating or Health at Every Size work, or a specific nutrition related health goal. Sometimes, this distinction is also made based on what kind of insurance benefits you have.
I am mainly accepting new nutrition clients, so please know that if you wanted to work with me surrounding Intuitive Eating, relationship to body, disordered eating, or eating disorders, that we can still likely do this work under my nutrition credential and that the work won't look that much different than what we would have done we me as your "therapist", it's more about logistics for my business. Always feel free to contact with me to discuss the nuances of this more.
DO YOU TAKE MY INSURANCE? HOW DO I KNOW IF MY INSURANCE COVERS YOUR SERVICES?
Please note: I am able to take HSA cards that work like credit cards for all services.
I can accept Regence (and Regence affiliate plans like Bridgespan, BCBS plans, etc.), Premera, First Choice and some Kaiser PPO plans that allow First Choice for nutrition counseling. You will still need to contact your insurance provider and ask if they cover nutrition services.
For therapy services I cannot accept insurance and am cash-pay only.
If you are wondering if you could bill my services as out-of-network I recommend contacting your insurance company and asking:
-Do I have insurance coverage for mental health counseling?
-Do I have insurance coverage for nutritional counseling, appointments, to see a Certified Nutritionist, or for dietary surveillance for prevention?
-Do I have a co-pay for these appointments? What is my deductible?
-How many nutrition or mental health appointments do I get per year/lifetime?
- Do you reimburse an out-of-network Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate? Do you reimburse an out-of-network Certified Nutritionist?
-Do I need a PCP referral for nutrition or mental health counseling appointments?
- Do you only cover certain nutritional or health diagnoses?
-Do you cover Telehealth (online) sessions? Do you reimburse at the same rate? Is this policy temporary due to COVID-19 (i.e. will these benefits end at any time)?
-Do you cover the procedure codes 97802 and 97803? Do you cover the diagnosis code Z71.3? Are these consider preventative? Does my deductible and co-pay apply with these diagnosis and procedure codes?
WHAT DOES BEING A "WEIGHT NEUTRAL" OR "FAT POSITIVE" PROVIDER MEAN?
Simply put being a weight-neutral and fat positive provider means that I won't ever be focusing on intentional weight loss or equate weight/size and health with my clients. Here are some things that I've pledged to do as a fat positive provider:
To employ Health at Every Size principles in every aspect of my work with all clients (e.g. I will not do Intuitive Eating or HAES work with some clients, while doing intentional weight loss or cleanses with other clients as just one example).
To be inclusive, accepting, and respectful of all body shapes and sizes including making my health care space accessible and comfortable with seating, health care equipment, media, advertising, and messaging inclusive of all bodies.
To advocate for all bodies in my place of work and broader community in social justice realms of size, age, race, ethnicity, gender, dis/ability, sexual identity, religion, class, disease status, involvement with the justice system, and other human attributes centering the most marginalized bodies and voices.
To not weigh clients unless medically necessary, with the consent and understanding of my clients, and to use scientific research to prioritize useful and proven health outcomes instead of weight.
To continue to engage and stay up-to-date on research surrounding Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size, Weight Bias and Discrimination, and more in order to provide best-practice care for my clients.
To stay up to date with the Fat Liberation movement and use preferred language such as “clients in larger bodies” or “fat” instead of dinosaur/discriminatory terms like “obese/overweight”.
What this also means is that I am in no way stating what will happen with your body when you in engage in services with me. Working on food/body relationship the body can: gain weight, lose weight, or stay the same weight, and we have no way of knowing which one it will do. In my opinion, any other provider who tells you they do know what your body will do is providing a disservice; only your body knows what it needs.
The easiest way to describe the things I believe and the way I practice is to read the Be Nourished Manifesto and About Body Trust pages. I am training under them to become a Certified Body Trust provider, and therefore resonate with all they have to offer.
WHAT IF I'M NOT SURE THAT I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER?
Like everything else in life, getting a diagnosis for an eating disorder is completely affected by systems of power and oppression. Eating disorders are most commonly thought of as 'rich, white, women's' diseases, although that could not be further from the truth and marginalized communities may be the most impacted by eating disorders, and the least diagnosed, recognized, and helped. Eating disorders, disordered eating, and relationship to body and food all occurs on a spectrum, and we will work together to figure out where you fall on this spectrum.
CAN I ONLY SEE YOU ONLINE?
Yes. For now all sessions are through a secure HIPPA compliant online platform only. I am considering opening an office in downtown or North Everett. Please reach out if you're feeling interested in this. I know telehealth may or may not be the preferred method for all folks, and I assure you we can work together to get you comfortable using the telehealth technology, and process through any concerns or frustrations you may have.
WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU SEE CLIENTS?
All services are currently offered online through a HIPPA secure telehealth platform.
Upon resuming in-person services I hope to have office space in Everett, WA.
My current schedule is Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Available appointment times vary. Most are during the day or the morning, but some evening availability may be open as well. Contact for more information on scheduling.
WHAT IF I AM NOT SURE ABOUT INTUITIVE EATING/HAES OR STILL WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT, WANT BARIATRIC SURGERY, ETC.?
There are many parts to the journey of healing relationship to body and food, and there is no expectation that you will 100% "love your body", not want weight loss, or that you must be doing certain things to see me as a provider. I have worked with clients who still want bariatric surgery, who are actively dieting or re-engage in diet programs while seeing me still, who fiercely still want weight loss, who are still participating in their eating disorder, and more. Although I do not personally participate in intentional weight loss services, and will continue to remind you of the research and ethics that I subscribe to, above all I am a client-centered provider and trust you wholly with your body and your healing journey. Wanting weight loss, dieting, eating disorder behaviors, and more are all caused by biased systems in our society and are the body's wise coping skills in a broken system. All that to say? I have to make clear who I am, and if that connects to you, you are more than welcome to come as you are.
DO YOU SEE CHILDREN OR TEENAGERS?
I mostly see folks over the age of 18. If you are a client who is in between 13-18 and feel very pulled to work with me, we could have a consult call to determine fit. In general, I feel better referring to my colleagues who specialize in teens and children. I treat my clients of all ages as with respect and honor their autonomy and confidentiality (meaning I will not be telling parents things teens are saying in session, among other things).
While I love children so very much, I do not yet feel like I have the specific training as a therapist to see children under 13, and I want the very best for your young people, so will refer you to someone else.
I'M READY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! NOW WHAT?
The way to make an appointment is to e-mail me at info@mekenziesutton.com. It is helpful if you include what you're looking for/would like to work on, what insurance you are hoping to use, if you are requesting a sliding scale spot, what your ideal appointment times are, and any other information you feel comfortable sharing. Then, I can send you some screening questions and get our consultation phone call set up.
I no longer return new client inquiries on my business number. Please e-mail to inquire about services.
All of this info is also located on the CONTACT page.