Therapists in Ashland, OR

I’m Desiree, a queer, woman of color therapist located in Southern Oregon. I specialize in working with individuals navigating trauma, helping them integrate past wounding, navigate fear, and cultivate acceptance. I am passionate about guiding clients through embodied grief processes, as a powerful tool for individual and collective healing and a way to reclaim our wellbeing. I work with all ages, but am especially interested in working with young adults, navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges related to living in uncertain times.

Life satisfaction is mostly about relationship, don't you agree? I help people have emotionally open and compassionate relationships both with themselves and with others. I work with individuals and couples on this. Individually, so much of life satisfaction and personal effectiveness is based on how well you understand yourself (mindfulness), how you treat yourself (compassion), and how you advocate for your desires. With others, relationships are built through mutually respectful listening and co-creating mutually delightful interactions. I see relationship as a spiritual path.

Do you feel stuck, confused, exhausted and hopeless that life can get better for you? Do you seek to find more peace, joy, maybe more intimacy? I am a European-born therapist with close to two great decades of counseling individuals and couples challenged with life stressors and transitions, trauma, lack of intimacy, relationship issues, self-esteem and image, mood, focus, grief, addictions... Over the years I have successfully supported youth, adults, couples and families from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. Please note, the demand for services can be overwhelming, I try to respond to each inquiry if at all possible.

Your Relationship & Sex Therapist (cancellation list available upon request): Business Owners, clinicians, & rescue workers are common clients and have experienced confidence in designing customized result-driven therapy tailored to personalized goals. Perhaps your relationship with your partner(s) feels stuck, you're not talking with each other as you once had, you are arguing more, sex seems detached, if at all, and you can't see how or when things will improve. From managing your stress to building resiliency: if you're looking to target symptoms or cultivate meaningful relationships while restoring peace & hope, let's talk.

*CURRENTLY WELCOMING NEW CLIENTS* Are you experiencing distress, anxiety, depression, shame, disconnection, loss, reactivity? Are you experiencing life transitions, seeking meaning, or having trouble In relationships? Are you in recovery from gaslighting, shunning, cults, having trouble finding your place in the world?

I am passionate about coming into the Here and Now with clients and believe in the healing power of being witnessed with presence and loving kindness. Using mindfulness based practices I focus on supporting clients in addressing issues of depression, anxiety, and identity issues. In session I emphasize bringing the client’s attention out of thoughts/stories and into their present moment bodily experience with the understanding that more immediate change can occur this way. I enjoy experiencing the client and counselor relationship as a microcosm of the client’s greater relational life, and an opportunity to do deep healing.

Life doesn't come with a road map for success. Therapy is like a compass to help navigate the twists and turns along the way. If you are seeking change, are ready to take responsibility for the road ahead, and are prepared to meet the heights and depths of transformation, I can offer insight and new ways to consciously take the reins. You may find hidden treasures within that were buried and forgotten and learn how they influence your thinking and ways of being. I offer experience and training in a spectrum of modalities to teach new practices that open to fresh perspectives that may lead to growth for lasting change.

I believe we each have a special part to play in the dance of life and that sometimes we need to put to rest old patterns or fears so we can respond to life in the most authentic way possible. If you find yourself stuck in limiting relational patterns, disconnected from yourself, depressed, anxious, fearful, confused, angry or in chronic physical pain, I can offer my 27 years of clinical experience, the safe space and carefully facilitated, deep, mindful, body-based exploration that will help you find your way home and engaging with your world more authentically and effectively.

I see individuals, couples, and elders in my practice. I have a background in grief therapy, pregnancy and postpartum care, end of life care, and recovery from trauma. I approach therapy in a holistic manner addressing the issues of the mind as well as the body and psyche. With a background in depth psychology, I aim for therapeutic change that reaches beyond behavioral changes to a deeper level by bringing what is not conscious into awareness to establish changes in patterning that are enduing through the lifespan.

Are you feeling "stuck" or "shut down"? Perhaps you're feeling like you are on a never-ending "hamster wheel" and are having trouble making sense or finding purpose in your life. Maybe anxiety or depression are preventing you from engaging with yourself and the world in the way that you would like - more connected, more open and less "closed off." I can offer a safe space for you to process these and more life issues you are facing, freeing you from the burden of bearing them alone and perhaps learning new strategies to cope with life's stresses. Normally you're pretty good at overcoming obstacles but are finding it challenging.

Have you ever felt like everyone else got the manual on how to live, while you were left figuring things out alone? Perhaps you've spent years navigating a world not designed for you while having to mask as an Autistic person, or compensate for your challenges with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, and more. If this resonates with you, I'm here to help.

My desire is to work with people who are exploring their relationships and sexuality, whether monogamous or non-monogamous. I am kink friendly and sex positive. I have experience working with depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, although these are not my current primary focus. I think that the mind-body connection is essential, both in expressing desire and maintain lifelong health.

It is truly possible to live a happy, balanced and serene life, and to be your authentic self in the process. Addictions, anxiety and depression don't have to be your norm nor the secrets you keep. You don't have to fake it to make it, nor do you have to suffer isolated and alone. I help individuals, couples and families sort things out and get on with living. Call today and let's talk about the changes you are seeking and how I can help.