FAQs

About Inside Health Institute

Q: What is Inside Health Institute (IHI)?

  • Inside Health Institute is a nonprofit, integrative health clinic offering whole-person counseling and naturopathic care.

  • Our mission is to make compassionate, trauma-informed health care accessible to everyone — regardless of financial status — through a pay-what-you-can model that honors dignity, trust, and community connection.

Q: What does “pay what you can” mean?

  • You decide what you can contribute for your session — no income verification, insurance paperwork, or financial screening required.

  • We trust people to know their circumstances. Your payment helps sustain care for others in our community, and we simply ask that you give what feels fair and sustainable for you.

Q: Why don’t you bill insurance?

  • Insurance often limits the kind of care we can provide and adds stress for both clients and clinicians.

  • By staying outside of insurance, we can:

    • Protect your privacy and autonomy

    • Offer flexible visit lengths and care approaches

    • Keep administrative costs low so more funding goes directly to care

  • If you have out-of-network benefits, we can provide receipts for possible reimbursement.

Q: Who can come to IHI?

  • Anyone. We serve individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds.

  • Our team includes licensed clinicians and graduate-level trainees in counseling and naturopathic medicine. 

  • We welcome people who are new to care, returning after time away, or seeking a more collaborative, whole-person approach.

Q: Who do you serve?

  • We support individuals and families from all walks of life, especially those who face barriers to care — including multicultural, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC communities, as well as seniors, youth, and people living with chronic illness or mental health challenges.

Q: What makes IHI different?

  • We believe well-being grows when mind, body, and community are cared for together.

  • Our clinicians collaborate across counseling, naturopathic medicine, and community wellness to address root causes — not just symptoms.

Counseling & Whole-Person Care

Q: What kinds of counseling do you offer?

  • We provide individual, relationship, family, and group counseling for adults and youth (ages 8 years old and up).

  • Our team includes licensed mental health clinicians and supervised graduate interns who offer affordable, trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

Q: What issues can counseling at IHI help with?

  • Anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, trauma recovery, chronic illness, burnout, identity exploration, and relationship stress.

  • We meet you where you are — with compassion, not judgment.

Q: What does “whole-person care” mean?

  • Whole-person care integrates mental, physical, emotional, and social health.

  • At IHI, our counselors and naturopathic doctors often collaborate to create care plans that include nutrition, sleep, movement, mindfulness, and creative or community-based healing tools.

Q: Can I see both a counselor and a naturopathic doctor at IHI?

  • Yes! Many clients benefit from our integrative approach.

  • Our team works together to ensure your care feels cohesive, supportive, and personalized.

SIBO Testing & Digestive Health

Q: What is SIBO testing?

  • SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth — a condition where bacteria grow excessively in the small intestine, causing bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue.

  • IHI offers breath testing to help diagnose SIBO and guide individualized treatment plans focused on digestion, microbiome balance, and overall wellness.

Q: Can I order a SIBO test through IHI?

  • Yes. Licensed providers can register and order SIBO test kits through IHI’s professional network:

  • If you’re a client, your IHI clinician can discuss whether testing is appropriate and guide you through preparation and collection steps.

Q: Do you collaborate with outside providers?

  • Absolutely. We welcome collaboration with clinicians who share our commitment to integrative, evidence-based, and compassionate care.

  • Providers can refer patients or partner with IHI for testing and care coordination.

Payment & Accessibility

Q: How does payment work?

  • You choose a payment amount that fits your budget.

  • We suggest a $30 minimum donation per session to help sustain our services, but no one is turned away for inability to pay.

Q: Do you take insurance?

  • No. We are an insurance-free clinic to keep care simple, transparent, and accessible — without intrusive financial disclosures or billing barriers.

Q: Can I donate to help others receive care?

  • Yes! Every donation directly supports counseling, testing, and wellness programs for people in need.

    •  👉 Donate Here

    •  All contributions are tax-deductible (IHI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit).

For Providers & Clinicians

Q: How do I register as a provider partner with IHI?

Q: Can I order SIBO test kits through IHI?

Q: Do you offer mentorship or professional supervision services ?

  • Yes. We provide counseling practicum placements, naturopathic mentorship, and postgraduate support in integrative, trauma-informed care.

  • To learn more, email info@insidehealthinstitute.org or visit our Training Opportunities page.

Community & Volunteering

Q: What are IHI’s community programs?
Our creative and community-based wellness programs include:

  • YWCA Community Health Workshops

  • Edmonds Care Connection — $20 counseling for community members

  • Fun With Friends — A community health and wellness program for adults with disabilities

  • Community Health Education Workshops and Classes - email to find out more or propose a workshop. 

Q: How can I volunteer or get involved?

  • We’d love your support! Whether you’re a clinician, student, or community member, you can help with events, creative programming, or direct care. Donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated.

Q: Do you accept practicum students or interns?

  • Yes. We welcome counseling and naturopathic students for hands-on, community-centered training.

  • Email us at info@insidehealthinstitute.org for current openings.

Location & Contact

Q: Where are you located?

  • We’re currently based at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA, while we secure our next permanent home in the Bothell/Kenmore area.

Q: How do I schedule a counseling appointment?

  • Visit our Counseling Scheduling Page or email info@insidehealthinstitute.org.

Q: How can I contact you?

Mission in Action

Q: How does IHI sustain its work?

  • IHI is sustained through a mix of having a largely volunteer workforce, receiving donations, grants, and creating partnerships with organizations that share our belief in equitable, whole-person care.

Q: How can I support IHI’s mission?

  • You can donate, volunteer, or share our story — every contribution helps fund care for someone who might otherwise go without.
    👉 Donate Now
    👉 Volunteer Form