Therapists in Multnomah County, OR

Everyone faces difficult things in life that can become overwhelming to deal with on their own. Having others to rely on is an important component to navigating through those hard times without further emotional distress. As a mental health professional, I hope to support clients in working through all the daily stresses, traumatic events, life transitions, and relationship challenges that they may be facing. I approach all clients with a desire to step into their world as an observer and serve as a guide to uncovering strengths and possible solutions that can bring about change and healing.

As your therapist, I am here to listen, support and work collaboratively with you through your journey as you discover your strengths and develop a sense of hope and motivation to take action to improve your life situation, utilizing the resources within and around you. My experience, education and knowledge has afforded me the opportunity to work with you who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, family conflict, couples counseling, relationship issues, etc.. I will use various treatment models that will help you to reach your desired goals.

I use a strength based approach as a therapist. Working with adults, children, teens and families. Regardless of age many of the clients I have present with adjustment issues related to transitions they are experiencing in their lives. Clients often present with symptoms of anxiety and or depression resulting in a decrease in quality of life. Some are dealing with family communication challenges, a recent death or have a loved one who is sick or with a chronic illness. Clients can have a history of mental illness and others have relational challenges both personally, professionally or in school finding it hard to succeed.

It is an honor to journey with individuals who want guidance through life’s obstacles. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys working with individuals to meet their personal successes. I believe the true essence of therapy is listening to one’s story, strategizing what is working, and navigating through what is not. You are the expert of your life and I am the guide. I love being curious, asking clarifying questions and watching clients be successful. I am also a Oregon certified CSWA supervisor.

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.

I am certified in the Gottman method of Couples Therapy, and I am one of 30 Advanced Gottman Clinical Trainers in the world. I obtained my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family in 2005, from Portland State University. I have worked in the field of counseling for the past 25 years, in the capacity of a case worker, recreation therapist, rafting and rock climbing guide for at risk youth. I have chosen to specialize in the Gottman method because of the effectiveness of the modality and because it is a research based model. I have skills to help you move through conflict and heal from affairs. Improve your relationship now!

I am committed and interested in helping my clients strengthen their connections to others while simultaneously developing the tools to create personal feelings of confidence, strength, and fulfullment within themselves. Although I cater to each client specifically, my general plan of action consists of the immediate alleviation of symptoms, in concert with an in-depth look at related patterns established throughout the client's lifetime. In other words, first we can tend to the flower's blossom, but then let us tend to its roots.

Whether we are exploring the relationship we have with ourselves or with others, I believe compassion and loving-presence are essential to understanding the parts of ourselves that feel tender and/or condemned. It isn’t uncommon for these tender parts to appear to be stuck in patterns that seem to further disconnect us from ourselves and others. I enjoy working with neurodivergence, those with complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples. My work is an anti-oppressive, relational, humorous, and client-centered.

We are an inter-disciplinary team supporting long term sobriety and trauma healing for individuals, couples, youth, and families. Every role and relationship in the family needs support to heal from addiction and trauma. We specialize in the intersection between substance use, sex addiction, betrayal trauma, other trauma, attachment distress, and faith crisis. We promote healing and recovery through cultivating a sober way of life that heals and transforms a person's relationships to their body, to primary partners, children, peers, community, and seeks resilience through meaningful spiritual practices.

Whether you want to lose weight, stop smoking, be less stressed or just want more clarity, hypnosis can help. If you are plagued by fears, misperceptions, or limiting beliefs that keep you from living the life you were meant to live, I can help you shed those limitations and guide you to your path to success. Recognized by the American Medical Association since 1958, Hypnosis is a safe and successful therapeutic tool for many conditions, addictions and limiting beliefs and habits. Also, HypnoFertility(R) aids women in making a shift at the subconscious level to ensure a positive outcome.

There are many types of relationships: romantic, friends, family, and your relationship to yourself. Are you struggling to navigate any of these? Would you like someone to help ground you and establish lasting changes that serve you and those around you? I'm here for that. My practice centers on helping people who feel stuck, whether they have been in therapy before, or are seeking it for the first time. I have a background in neurobiology, and understand that change is always possible. I focus on working with adults across the lifespan, specializing in the LGBTQIA+ community and non-monogamous folks.

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.

When we try to control or avoid anxiety, thoughts, memories, and difficult emotions it doesn't work. Troubling thoughts and memories keep intruding, depression worsens, panic attacks happen more, and urges to do troubling compulsions or rituals become stronger. The funny thing is every other situation in daily life avoiding and fixing problems is very effective, such as fixing a flat tire so we can drive again or leaving town to avoid a hurricane. When we try this with our thoughts and feelings we get stuck, feel hopeless, and continue to suffer. Estranging us from the people, places, and activities that we cared about most.

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'm passionate about helping my clients live their best, most authentic and meaningful lives. I believe that everyone can benefit from questioning old patterns and ways of thinking that may feel instead, like absolute ways of being.

Are you always afraid your going to wake up feeling anxious or depressed? Are you going through a life transition such as a relocation, divorce, death of a loved one or a job loss? Or do you suffer from unresolved issues from a mentally ill parent, such as Borderline PD, DID or Narcissism? We can help! You also may not be doing things you used to enjoy and have a hard time waking up in the morning to face yet, another stressful day. I am glad you are here, you have made a strong and courageous decision to get help!

Accepting new clients! My heart's work is connecting with people, holding space for their hurt, and empowering them to reach towards a connected, integrated life. My ideal client is someone who is curious about WHY troubling symptoms exist in the first place; someone who is ready to either step into therapy for the first time (hurrah!) or to step away from traditional talk therapy and begin deeper, more profound healing from the bottom up instead of the top down; someone who is wanting to feel more connected to themselves and others, and to feel more joy.

I am passionate about supporting people as they grow into their best selves, learn to be seen for who they are rather than what they look like, and strive to accept imperfections and pain with greater self-compassion. I treat eating disorders (binge eating, bulimia, anorexia, exercise addiction), anxiety, depression, traits of borderline personality, interpersonal trauma, and relationship problems in families and couples. I believe that a collaborative and accepting relationship is needed for people to change and heal.

I specialize in providing compassionate and effective therapy for individuals facing a spectrum of challenges, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. My therapeutic approach is rooted in creating a safe and empathetic space where healing can take place. Utilizing evidence-based practices and drawing from my extensive training, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client.