Therapists in Portland, OR

I utilize a modern relational and collaborative approach along with psychodynamic theory, CBT-based skills, and a host of trauma-informed/trauma-specific practices. My theory is that a combination of a deeper understanding of self, coupled with practical skills, can lead to sustained self-discovery and curiosity, desired personality changes, and relief. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle to regulate emotions and mood, are working through the impacts of childhood trauma in adulthood/young adulthood, are experiencing interpersonal issues, existential dread, anxiety, depression, and/or chronic suicidality.

My practice is grounded in existential therapy which recognizes the importance of meaning, relationships, autonomy, authenticity, agency, creativity, and connection for acceptance, growth, and change. I work with clients collaboratively to individualize therapy, and use a variety of interventions including narrative, psychodynamic, cognitive, polyvagal, attachment, and mindfulness practices. My experience includes working with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and bereavement, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD, sex addiction, substance addiction, and interpersonal relationships.

I work with individual adults who suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma, uncertainty and interpersonal struggles. Some clients I work with seek a respectful, supportive helper outside their everyday life, sometimes during a life transition or existential choice point. Other clients I work with seek focused assistance with moving forward in a healthy way after a traumatic event (or traumatic childhood).

I specialize in working with individuals and couples whose challenges with interpersonal relationships are due to anxiety, depression, and/or past traumatic events. My clients with the best outcomes are willing to engage in deep dialogues, complete "homework" between sessions, and are comfortable with a "hands-on approach” in therapy. I am a good fit for people struggling with social anxiety, depression, religious trauma, life transitions, procrastination, or relationship issues. I enjoy working with LGBTQIA + community and can help people questioning gender identity and heteronormativity.

Helping others discover peace, connection, and confidence in the face of turmoil has long been a passion of mine. I believe everyone is capable of growth and healing if they are provided sufficient encouragement, support, and effective strategies. My therapeutic style is conversational and relaxed. I encourage clients to identify and communicate their unique needs and concerns in order to improve interpersonal relationships, manage bothersome emotions or behaviors, and develop healthier family connections. No matter their goal, I strongly believe in the client’s right to decide the focus of therapy.

I value the opportunity to support people in making changes they want in their life and to bear witness to people moving forward on a path they want for themselves. I have experience working with people who navigating anxiety, depression, impact of traumatic experiences, disability related to physical and mental health concerns, impacts of aging, chronic pain, substance use challenges, and adjusting to major life changes. I enjoy supporting effective interpersonal communication, developing coping strategies relevant to each individual, mindfulness practice, and developing healthy dynamics with natural supports.

People come to see me because they are experiencing psychological distress and/or interpersonal difficulties. The in-depth look at these issues not only leads to symptom relief but to longterm change of dysfunctional and painful (sometimes unconscious) ways we may perceive and judge ourselves and to recognize and build on strengths. I enjoy being a psychotherapist in part because it is satisfying and exciting to see people become more insightful, effective and confident in each of the important areas of their lives. I have been doing this work for 35+ years and plan to continue for many years.

My therapeutic approach is tailored to adults who are currently experiencing depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal deficits, and other issues regarding the self. I am a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and work well with the individualistic and affirmative fashions in which human beings choose to self-identify. As a licensed clinical social worker, I believe that the individual is part of system: the micro (familial), the mezzo (immediate community), and the macro (the world at large). I look forward to speaking with you.

Living in a world filled with poverty, marginalization, oppression, and pandemic(s) can feel daunting and lead people to feel as though they have little agency. Therapy can be a helpful place to explore the places in our lives where we do have agency, where we are able to make tangible changes-often times this is in our interpersonal relationships. I work from an attachment focused and relational cultural perspective and my theoretical orientation is grounded in feminist practice that relies heavily on the exploration of identities, oppression, intersectionality, and their impact on social and emotional functioning.

I am a licensed Psychologist with 17 years of experience treating adults with a variety of emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal difficulties. Treatment I offer focuses on helping people better understand themselves and their emotional patterns, while learning adaptive and constructive ways of coping. In therapy, I develop an interpersonally warm, honest, and collaborative relationship to work toward my patients' goals and help them improve their functioning and life satisfaction. My office is conveniently located in Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood and numerous free, on-street parking options.

Now accepting new clients online. I work with adult children, partners and siblings of individuals with Narcissistic and Borderline Personality Disorder traits. It can be difficult to find a therapist who truly understand the impact and wounds of being raised in a home or being in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic and borderline traits. My work includes creating a healthy psychological separation, changing the negative internal messages, learning how to respond to others, creating healthy boundaries, stopping the legacy of distorted love and becoming your true and authentic self.

Are you ready to live a better you? You are taking the first step in attaining peace-of-mind, I respect and applaud you for doing so. I have a Masters degree in Social Work from Portland State University and over 40 years of experience working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I began my private practice, Pathways to Peace Therapy, over 20 years ago, while also working in community mental health and E.R. crisis intervention for over 15 years. In 2014, I also began working with OCD patients. Working in various mental health settings has been invaluable in providing tools to bring to my clients individual needs and goals.

With the state of the world, mental health is at an all-time low and we are all experiencing collective trauma. I take climate, pandemic, economic, political, societal, and cultural problems into account, on top of personal issues. My goal has always been to help those with trauma, personality disorders, and depression/anxiety by diving into the unconscious, cultivating self-awareness, and creating practical solutions. My clients are diverse and range from 13-65+ yrs old.

Does your romantic relationship need a life line? I'll help you and your partner create lasting change in your relationship. We'll work through the rupture of disconnection, infidelity, parenting, physical intimacy and sex and get to the connection you desire. I work with individual clients on tackling the unmanageable, in their relationships with others and self. We'll explore what's kept you stuck for so long and uncover deep meaning and happiness in your relationships and in your personal story.

I am available for new clients, individually or family sessions. I am also taking clients for a teen DBT skills group (ages 12-18 if still in high school). I see our work together as a team that balances putting in the hard work while understanding you have to have some laughs along the way! Above all modalities, the therapeutic relationship is what I value most in our work together. I primarily use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Art Therapy. Despite my degree in art therapy, my dual license allows me to provide more traditional talk therapy, too.

We are a group practice in SW PDX, previously in Lake Oswego. We want to help you deal with the effects of your emotional pain, often invisible to others. If you are looking to be able to trust yourself and others and to understand the negative repetitive patterns in your life, then therapy can be a possible solution. We believe in competency, honesty and compassion as necessary qualities for therapists; ultimately you need to be able to trust the therapist you choose. Although life can be full of pain, we want to help reduce your suffering. Therapy is one of the ways you can address your emotional pain. Currently updating website.

I am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist serving clients via zoom in California and Oregon. If you struggle with chronic issues and have tried other therapists and are still struggling, I may be the therapist for you. I am a specialist in accessing early trauma and clearing it through the use of brain-based therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting. I am certified in Brainspotting and Systemic Family Constellations and trained in EMDR I/II. I combine these three methods plus my natural empathic abilities to access blockages and clear them. You will feel immediately better!

The therapeutic relationship is crucial to the healing process, whether the problem is with external relationships, traumatic experience, or one's relationship with the self. I use psychoanalytic principles and relational dynamics to explore the internal conflicts and patterns that are at the root of emotional, psychological and relational problems. I am also sensitive to spirituality and the existential problems inherent in being human, and how these affect us all. I have a special interest in the psychology of twins and intersubjective relating in general.

Starting a healing journey is a big step, and I am excited to meet you here. I love working with folks who want to do deep healing work. I focus on attachment and relationships, healing from complex trauma, and discovering your sexual self. This work can be very meaningful for individuals and couples. You can visit my website to see more detail about this work and how I approach it. The most important variable in successful therapy is the individual's feelings of trust and safety with the therapist. My first goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable to be yourself.