Therapists in Brightwood, OR

Hi, My name is Sarah and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board-Certified Art Therapist, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, studio artist, and LPC supervisor. I bring my lifelong art background and skills, training in Art Therapy, counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, and psychology, years of experience working with adolescence and their families, many years of motherhood, and 18 years of sobriety into my role as a helper. I enjoy working with adolescents, young adults, and adults, with varying levels of needs.

Everyone has a different path in therapy. No matter what issues you are struggling with, it is possible to find peace and achieve a more meaningful life. Some of the things I enjoy working with include: childhood trauma, attachment issues, OCD, PTSD, men's issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, divorce, parenting, grief and loss, life transitions, depression, and anxiety.

Whether you have tried therapy in the past and are seeking support again, or are just beginning your therapy journey – I’m so glad you are here. I believe healing happens in relationship – to ourselves, to our communities, and to others in our lives who we care deeply for. Through Somatic Mindfulness (body centered), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Self-Compassion based theories, I view my role as a guide along the road back to yourself, the ones you love, and the life you want to feel present in.

Why does this keep happening? Why can't I let this go? Why do I find myself in the same relationship over and over? Most of our personal challenges in life come from events in our early childhood or are passed down from trauma in our families. Theses things are challenging to heal or transform when we either don’t remember what they are or never knew to begin with. Even with events we do remember it can be hard to get to a place of transformation. That is why I work with modalities that get deep into the the unconscious so that change can take place on that deep level that is very challenging to get to with thinking and talking.

My role is to support you in creating your own understanding of self, explore your personal truths, and identify your strengths. You have a story and deserve a safe space to share it. My top priority as a therapist is to create a safe, non-judgmental, and non-pathologizing environment to support you in telling your story and working through the process of positive change. My goal is to engage collaboratively and compassionately with each of my clients throughout their therapeutic journey. I find special value in working with all clients on finding new ways to care for self on a deeper and more intimate level.

As human beings, we all have a deep need for connection. This connection is often challenged and disrupted by experiences throughout our lives. Consequently, we all experience some level of disconnection. This experience of disconnection can lead to anxiety, inadequate coping skills, depression, poor emotional regulation, substance use, and many other dis-eases. The good news is that we all have the potential to reconnect with our authentic self and heal! Compassionate Inquiry (CI) is one approach to this healing and reconnection with our true essence, our body, and the present moment through attunement, non-judgement and curiosity.

When we find ourselves in times of increased stress and uncertainty we often find our personal everyday struggles are magnified making it harder than ever to maintain a sense of hope and stability. Anxiety, depression, and grief may be more intense lately – that is where therapy comes in to help.

Please, grab your favorite chair, and let’s ponder that: Maybe you’re exhausted because you’ve worked against the odds all your life and had to stay strong to keep everything running smoothly or everyone happy. Now the irritability is boiling over, and the emptiness feels achy. “Let it go” or “get over it” doesn't work for you. Thinking you’re bad or something wrong with you keeps creeping into your thoughts, and it feels defeating. But you want more out of life than just surviving day to day.

I am committed to providing respect, compassion, understanding, honest feedback, structure and openness to each of my clients in order to provide the optimum conditions for you to achieve your desired outcomes. I believe that life is a journey which is unique for each person. Psychotherapy can be an important tool in helping an individual or family discover their natural ability to heal, to love and to grow.

Identifying how one's environment, thoughts, behaviors, and experiences influence each other and understanding the role that they play in our lives, is key to making changes and adopting a healthy perspective. I provide tailored and objective support to help navigate through life events that have created conflict or caused unrest. My education and professional experience (domestic and international) offer expertise to work with adult individuals who are dealing with personal obstacles.

I am a systemic therapist with a focus on relationship whether it's the internal parts of an individual psyche (holistic/systemic, depth psychology, shadow work), relationship with others (couples, friends, family and group), place in the ecosystem (ecotherapy), or existential/spiritual (transpersonal psychology). My education has been on a psychological spectrum with my BA having a cognitive-behavioral perspective, my MA a systems perspective and post-grad, doctoral level classes a transpersonal perspective. I have a passion for healing modalities and tend to take an holistic and evidenced-based approach.

I know how hard it can be to make that first call or to find the right therapist for you. If you're struggling or just need someone to talk to, I would be happy to spend some time sorting through whatever is troubling you. I welcome folx from all walks of life and who are dealing with various mental health concerns. I want to work alongside you, exploring your strengths and values to help you better cope with life's ups and downs. I use an integrated approach to help you achieve your goals.

It is my honor to help people live life to their fullest potential. Whatever obstacles may be in your way to living a fulfilling life of love, health, happiness, abundance and compassion, I can help you find the strength and insight within yourself to overcome. I believe that we all have purpose and power in this life to be shared with ourselves and others. Sometimes we become lost on our way, or perhaps misguided and unhappy, and with a little help, we can create a purposeful, loving life. I offer a holistic approach and specialize in the mind-body connection.

My counseling approach is based on Existential philosophy. I encourage discussions pertaining to our existence in life, involving significant issues such as life’s meaning, freedom, responsibility and our inevitable death. Existential angst might be triggered by life changes or by facing relationships in our lives that change from better to worse, difficult political views, divergent ideals and beliefs. These could impact or may lead to trouble discussing with our loved ones or friends. Some have lost important people in life, and feel alone in our situations, just to share a few.

You feel stuck, you're struggling, you're realizing that you need compassionate, supportive, non-judgmental support. I am here. My collaborative therapeutic approach is rooted in mindful awareness and acceptance, informed by relational and attachment models, and guided by an appreciation of each person’s unique existential search for meaning. I aim to foster a space where you can engage in your present experience, show up as you are, and find awareness, choice, and support in the life that awaits you.

Our work together can help release stuck patterns, expand mutual understanding, and increase trust and connection between you and those you care about most. Challenges with mood, transitions in life and emotional struggles often present side by side to relational hurts. www.michaeldangelotherapy.com Clients: - -Couples, polycules, open relationships, adults (18-80’s). - -Children, teens, adolescents ages 12–18 with adult caregivers (w/ legal documentation from guardianship, no drop offs). - -Blended families, families in transitions. - -LGBTQ+ Gender ID Journeys. - -Grief Journeys. - -Clients of Faiths, Beliefs - Spirituality.

I specialize in telehealth therapy for adult ADHD, brain health concerns, and anxiety. As a neuropsychologist, I appreciate the complex interactions between our brains, our behaviors, and our environments. I view symptoms and their potential remedies through a scientific lens, with a focus on evidence-based strategies -- practical tools that can make a difference in your everyday life. I also believe treatment should be collaborative, creative, and tailored for your specific needs. I try to approach therapy with curiosity, determination, openness, and humor, and I invite my clients to do the same.