Mental health leave · Washington state
Mental health
leave evaluations
I work with you to assess how your mental health affects your ability to work. When leave is clinically supported, I prepare and personally review your documentation.
A private mental health service for adults in Washington.
20+ years in mental health care
The consultation
Pre-visit Assessment
Before we meet by video, you’ll answer questions about your symptoms and work. I use that information to prepare for our consultation.
Prepare for your consultation
Answer questions about how symptoms affect your work. Gather any forms your employer or leave administrator has provided.
Meet with me
We review what you’re experiencing, your work responsibilities, and your treatment needs. I assess whether leave is clinically supported and explain if I need additional records or assessment.
Documentation and follow-up
If leave is supported, I complete and review the appropriate forms before signing them. We meet again to assess your readiness to return to work, discuss any restrictions, and complete return-to-work documentation when appropriate.
Mental health clinician
Jason LavalleLICSW, MHP
In medical settings, I’ve provided collaborative care alongside medical teams and led behavioral health assessment, consultation, and documentation. My work includes evaluating how symptoms affect daily functioning and the ability to work.
20+ years in mental health care
My work spans medical settings, private practice, and community mental health.
Understanding your leave options
You can start without knowing which program applies.
Time away from work
Federal FMLA provides unpaid, job-protected leave for eligible employees of covered employers. Your employer determines eligibility; I assess the clinical need and prepare documentation when supported.
Read the official guidanceBenefits during qualifying leave
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave provides partial wage replacement to eligible workers. Benefit eligibility and job protection have separate requirements. I can complete clinical certification when supported; the program or approved voluntary plan determines benefit eligibility.
Explore Washington Paid LeaveUnderstand your plan’s requirements
Employer or private disability coverage may provide income when a health condition prevents you from working. Coverage, payment amounts, and documentation requirements depend on your plan. Bring any forms and instructions so I can assess what I can clinically support.
Check your plan documents or ask your benefits administrator.
Changes that may help you work
Depending on your condition and job, changes to your schedule or work environment may help. I can assess functional limitations and document clinically supported needs. Your employer considers accommodation requests through its own interactive process; a particular adjustment is not guaranteed.
Read the EEOC guidanceEvaluation and documentation
Your fee includes the pre-visit assessment, a consultation with me, and initial leave documentation when clinically supported. It also includes a follow-up visit to plan your return to work and complete related documentation when appropriate.
Ongoing psychotherapy is billed separately.
Types of Leave
Together, we consider whether time away or a change in schedule is clinically appropriate.
A continuous period away
A defined period away from work for treatment and recovery, when supported by your assessment.
Intermittent time off
Separate periods of time off for episodes of incapacity or treatment. Frequency and duration depend on the clinical findings.
A reduced work schedule
A temporary adjustment to hours or days worked, based on your functional limitations and treatment needs.
Federal FMLA, Washington Paid Leave, and disability benefits have separate requirements. Certification supports a request; the applicable administrator determines approval.
Questions
Do I need to know which leave program I need?
No. Your answers help me understand your symptoms, work demands, and the time away or schedule changes you need. During our consultation, we’ll discuss which leave options may fit your situation and what I can clinically support. Eligibility and approval depend on the requirements of your employer, insurer, or leave program.
Will my leave request be approved?
An evaluation does not guarantee certification or approval. I determine what is clinically supported, and your employer, insurer, or leave program makes its own eligibility and approval decisions.
Can I continue working with you after the evaluation?
Yes. If ongoing psychotherapy would be helpful, we can discuss working together beyond the leave evaluation. You can also continue treatment with your current clinician. Ongoing psychotherapy is billed separately from the leave evaluation package.
What should I look for in a leave evaluation service?
Before paying, check who will evaluate you, what the fee includes, and how follow-up is handled. Ask whether return-to-work documentation costs extra and what happens if more assessment is needed. A refund guarantee is different from a guarantee that your leave will be approved.
Is this available outside Washington?
Services are for adults located and working in Washington state at the time of consultation.
Is the consultation always 30 minutes?
Not always. More complex situations may require a longer visit or additional records. Reviewing your completed pre-visit assessment helps me plan the time we’ll need. Some questions may need further assessment during our visit.
How will scheduling work?
After you submit an inquiry, I will review your information and reach out to discuss next steps and scheduling.