Therapists in Mount Scott, Portland, OR

My goal is to empower those who often find themselves in the margins in our society. My work often focuses on identity issues with LGBTQ individuals, couples or moresomes, and I work with folks in an affirming way that integrates principles of justice and equity. I utilize Narrative and Emotionally Focused systemic approaches in therapy to help my clients celebrate aspects of their identity that are often marginalized by society.

In my work with you, I will focus on finding creative solutions to your unmet life-needs. I work with individuals needing help with Anxiety Disorders, Couples Counseling, ADHD and Gifted populations and more. My clients consistently describe me as warm, interactive, compassionate, and effective. My approach is practical, solutions-focused, highlighting both your strengths and growth areas for more adaptive living. Your treatment will include evidence-based treatments that are efficient and effective, such as: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), Exposure Therapy and Biofeedback.

All families experience transitions, and even positive change can cause stress. I employ an eclectic approach with a strong emphasis on attachment, structural, and solution-focused family therapies. I work with young children and their caregivers to form secure attachments early on. This leads to more effective communication and problem solving patterns and a higher level of resilience down the road. My work tends to be short term and builds on the existing strengths of your family. My work with couples is attachment informed as we look at past and current relationships to elucidate our most fulfilling ways of connecting.

I integrate current research and traditional approaches to help clients reduce distress, improve daily functioning, and find fulfillment. Many clients I work with benefit from learning specific skills for stress management and interpersonal effectiveness. Others explore broader issues related to clarifying values and personal growth.

At the heart of every client lies truth and infinite potential. That is why I love my job. Spirited Quest Counseling was born out of the conviction that when an individual sets an intention to heal, they and those around them are transformed. I provide individual and couples counseling that promotes healing, well-being, self-awareness and empowerment along with the endurance, courage and skills to move from a life of survival to one of thriving. I specialize in treating clients impacted by the effects of trauma, spiritual struggle, depression and anxiety.

LGBTQ specialized. I am only available for in person sessions 6 months of the year, May through October. I conduct sessions on-line the remainder of the year. Morning appointments only, year round. Now in private practice, I was a practicing psychologist with the Men's Resource Center and Women's Counseling Center for over 25 years. I specialize in men's issues, including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and relationships (including polyamorous). I also see women in my practice. I have a special interest in helping gay men and women, as I am gay identified myself. I conduct individual and couples' sessions.

Life can be hard sometimes. Even when we have the best intentions, try our best, and do all we can, it just doesn't feel like it's enough. The stuckness continues to be present. We want the relationships with our loved ones to work, other areas of our life, like work, to go smoothly, and life doesn't seem too heavy to live. It is very human to want these things, and we all deserve to live such a life, maybe not problem-free, but a wholesome enough one that it feels like there's meaning and reasons worth living it.

I provide a therapeutic bridge to healing, improved relationships, and how you want to be. We all experience some amount of trauma, grief, and loss, struggle with transitions, and frustration in our most important relationships. Healing and transformation are possible. You deserve to be heard and seen. I work with all age groups, genders, orientations, ethnicities, and belief systems with an affirming, non-judgmental approach. Are you ready for a breakthrough? I have the tools to help you break through quickly. Just need encouragement? We'll move at your pace on whatever you are ready to face with the tools to keep you safe.

Sorry, not taking new clients at this time. If you are reading this you have found the courage to consider trusting someone you have never met with your fears, frustrations and hopes. I honor this trust and the individual needs that each person brings to counseling. My practice is focused on assisting those who have met a challenge in life such as the loss of a loved one, chronic or acute illness, relationship conflict, job stress or traumatic events. Although these may be common experiences that many of us share they can also cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger or PTSD if lived in isolation.

Please feel free to look me up on past patient rating/review sites like healthgrades.com, kudzu.com, OregonLive.com, EverydayHealth.com, Alltherapist.com, bestoftheweb.com, superpages.com. My focus is on direct, short term therapy that helps you resolve the problems you bring in as quickly but thoroughly as possible. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, panics, depression, PTSD, relationship and sexual problems and gender specific problems.50% of my patient referrals come from past patients, 40% come from physicians and other therapists and 10% come from online reviews from past patients.

Everyone deserves to be treated as an individual with respect for their own beliefs, goals and definition of success. It is on this strong belief that I base my work with children, adults, couples and families. For over 17 years, I have been supporting growth and healing of children, adults, couples and families with multi-layered struggles. These include; mood struggles, communication and relational conflicts, history of acute trauma, behavioral struggles, family conflicts, and identity struggles and substance use/abuse. I also have long term experience working with families who have come together through foster care or adoption.