Therapists in Bend, OR

Unconditional empathy and understanding are rare in this world, and yet we all need both. I recognizes change is difficult but believes people have a strength and the ability greater than they realize to move through difficult times and heal. My goal is to cultivate a supportive and healing environment in which clients feel seen, secure, and protected. My focus is on a person’s potential and not problematic behaviors. My approach provides the space for individuals to step into a growth mindset, gain insight, belief in themself, and opportunity to appreciate their uniqueness.

My whole goal in the mental health experience is to provide a peaceful, intuitive environment where you, my client, begins to feel as if we are on the same page with the things that seem to interfere with the healing and growth necessary to improve your life.

It is courageous to work towards healthier and more joyful connections with self and others. It is possible to thrive even while managing personal or relationship trauma, loss, stress, and difficult transition in life. I provide support for you while you increase capacity to heal, support yourself, and co-create resilient safe relationships with loved ones. My role as a therapist is to protect a safe environment for your work, to co-create relationship built on a bond of trust, authenticity and security, to provide empathy and be assertively challenging.

You would do Anything for your kids! You lay awake at night thinking about the would haves, should haves and what ifs. But what if the greatest gift you gave your child was the healthiest version of you? You find yourself easily triggered while parenting your kids, talking to your partner or a loved one. You dream of feeling Calm, Confident, and Grounded. You are ready to change, but get overwhelmed knowing where to start. You are ready to learn tools to manage anxiety and conflict, and start improving the relationships in your life, starting with your relationship with yourself. You yearn to give your kids the parent they deserve.

As a counselor, my primary commitment is to create a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and concerns without judgment. I understand that reaching out for counseling can be a courageous and vulnerable step, and I am honored to be part of your journey towards personal growth and healing.

I believe that within each of us is a heart longing for purpose, meaning, value, and direction. I believe that we all desire to pursue our hopes and dreams but may get lost along the way. Good or bad we are impacted by our environment, family, schools, and life choices, but it does not have to end there.

Often we find ourselves carrying out the same unhealthy patterns in the present that were developed in earlier stages of life that allowed us to adapt and survive at that time. We carry old beliefs and views stemming from past trauma or from others' opinions and mistake the inner critic voice for our own. Many of my clients find themselves in the midst of transition in which these old patterns, beliefs and inner critic voice no longer serve them.

Feeling down, anxious, stuck or confused? Our world is in turmoil and it can be tough to create a sense of wellbeing through these challenging times. As a licensed psychotherapist and strategic agent of change, I'm here to walk with you through rough waters and uncover methods to grow beyond the challenges present in our modern times. By offering new perspectives to these challenges, I seek to become your personal guide to find fresh insights and healing. With a mix of humor and a whole-lot of empathy and understanding, I’m here to help you overcome obstacles that stand in the way of living your best life.

Are you ready to embody your true core self? We hold within us the innate ability to reach optimum mental health and possess the ability to create our own healing and wholeness. My goal is to provide a warm, safe and non-judgmental environment in order to help you find your way on your healing journey. I believe mind, body and spirit are intrinsically bound together and feel if we look at ourselves from a perspective of compassion, we can use this knowledge, with the help of mind/body techniques, to move toward healing and whole health.

After more than 35 years of clinical practice, I am now working with individuals and couples exploring emotional issues as a pathway to understanding and living fuller lives. We often view our difficulties as something being wrong with us, as opposed to an invitation to discovery.

Our approach to therapy is grounded in the belief and understanding that the ability to heal and grow is inherent within every human being, and that every human has within them the strengths and wisdom needed to do so. We work with people to help make sense of what causes, triggers, and perpetuates unwanted behaviors with individualized strategies to help you understand and intervene in these cyclical patterns. Our approach entails treating you as a whole, with an emphasis on utilizing mindfulness-based treatments including EMDR, somatic therapies, and Art Therapy.

"YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND ANOTHER PERSON'S EXPERIENCE UNTIL YOU WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES." That's especially true regarding the thoughts and feelings that often surround deeply personal issues. My practice is informed by my own life experiences as well as a nuanced understanding of the complexity of human nature. Together we will build the degree of trust and rapport necessary for you to: identify maladaptive patterns, challenge negative beliefs, gain insight into past and present events and most importantly, use this information to create permanent positive change in your relationships and the way you think and feel about yourself.

Do you struggle to live your life to the fullest? Have you tried several things and still feel like you want more? Counseling can be an opportunity to gain insight, increase motivation and discover your strengths. There are different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving to increase awareness and find the road to lasting wellness. Together we can create healthy coping strategies, positive social connections, self-esteem and confidence in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

I am passionate about couple's counseling. I specialize in pre-marital counseling, marriage counseling, and relationship coaching. I utilize PACT: “Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy" to help couples move towards the mutual goal of "secure functioning". This is an evidence-based model of therapy built upon the premise of “surviving and thriving" together throughout the course of your relationship. I am LGBTQ+ affirming and welcome all gender identities and relationship styles who seek help. I believe that every couple, no matter the circumstance, deserves a chance for security and repair.

Do you feel the experiences of your life deeply? Struggle to understand why things seem to impact you more than your friends or peers? Do you seek to live a life that is meaningful, filled with joy and also rooted profoundly in truth and core values? Are you looking to build on your strengths and feel empowered to live your best life? As a therapist with over twelve years of practice, I practice trauma informed, positive psychology with a focus on strength-based empowerment. My work centers on helping my clients feel empowered to live their best lives while working through the issues that may be holding them back.

I specialize in working with neurodivergent adults- so folks who, for diverse reasons feel like their brains work different from most i.e. Autistic, ADHD, complex PTSD, HSP, queer, BIPOC, etc.; and those differences have limited their access to community or feeling like they're living a full life. Some common difficulties for neurodivergent adults include: chronic anxiety, feeling lonely or isolated, recurrent depression, communication difficulties, low self esteem, and general difficulty with "people-ing".

What do you seek? Does suffering get in the way? Let's use your hardships as a vehicle of transformation into the greatest version of you. Arise and Heal Counseling is founded upon this vision for your life. In therapy, I work to foster a healing relationship with you by creating a space of safety and unconditional acceptance in hopes you undertake a personal journey of growth. I not only help you fix what is wrong, but build what is right. I observe the dignity and strength in each person regardless of who they are or their behaviors. Once trust is established, I will encourage you to take risks and create the changes you seek.

Santiam Counseling Center provides counseling services for individuals (adult and adolescent), couples, and families. Our goal is to provide an environment where individuals will feel heard, understood, challenged, and empowered toward change.

Finding someone to speak with and asking for help is a courageous step. I understand how it can be to share personal information with someone you have just met and I will hold this position with respect. Many people come to therapy for support with anxiety, depression, stress, loss and relationship issues. For some, therapy is more about understanding themselves, changing patterns of behavior that are outdated and they are making efforts to move forward. Therapy is not about advice giving, although many times, problem solving is part of the process. Change seems more likely when there is someone listening to us and we feel encouraged. It's also useful to speak with someone who has knowledge of the most effective strategies for change. It is my hope that whatever your reason for seeking therapy, together we can create a useful experience for you.