Therapists in Buckman, Portland, OR

> > Accepting New Clients < < You want someone who is compassionate and responsive, who is open and respectful, and who isn’t afraid to go with you into difficult places. That's my goal: to be on your side, to be with you, and to be real—so you have the support needed to move through and to flourish. Our work begins by creating a unique space—a safe space—so you can stretch out and explore more fully. We'll connect the dots using parts work, turning towards feeling and body experience, and exploring dynamics in the present—tools that support deeper connections, address root issues, and create meaningful change.

Real transformation often begins when you're suffering intensely. The intense suffering breaks through your hesitation to change at a core level. You don't have a choice anymore. Dark material surfaces: emotional and physical trauma, religious trauma, loss, anxiety, spiritual crisis, meaninglessness, depression, and illness. Imagine that the symptoms you're suffering from are calling you home to a new way of living and being. I bring a high level of clinical experience, training, and compassion to my work. I am truly interested in you, how you got to this difficult point, and how to connect you to your authentic self.

I believe that much of what we think, feel, and believe is outside of our immediate awareness. Much of the time we think our conscious mind is 'driving the bus' so to speak, yet it is our unconscious that grips the wheel and drives us down roads we have unwittingly been down many times before. We develop beliefs of the self, of others, and of the world in general based on experiences we have earlier in life, often outside of our current awareness. These unexamined beliefs can prevent us from experiencing ourself and others in a healthy and authentic manner.

Are you frustrated that you can't "snap out of it" when you feel depressed, anxious, or making the same mistakes over and over again? Maybe you have felt stuck for a long time, wondering what's wrong with you that you can't find your way out. But all of us of us get lost in our suffering sometimes, because when you're in the middle of it, it's hard to see the way through. I offer the outside perspective and collaboration you need to get unstuck, to help you find your way back to a full and satisfying life.

I offer individual therapy, consultation, and clinical supervision for MFT and professional counseling associates. As a neurodivergent, feminist, depth-oriented therapist I value curiosity, kindness and creative exploration as ways to help you deepen your relationship with your inner way of knowing and navigating our world in a troubled time.

Are you someone who is committed to helping others? Maybe you work for a non-profit or organization that serves vulnerable communities. Maybe you’re a parent, an activist, a teacher, a nurse, or a social worker. My passion as a counselor is supporting the helpers: giving you the space you need to heal, cope, and grow so that you can continue to do the important work you believe in—in a way that’s sustainable for you.

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.

At Connections First we have faith in the power of connection: with your inner life and to the outer world through meaningful relationships. We believe that mental health is an effect of feeling more deeply connected to ourselves and to others through the safety of transparent, emotionally honest relationships. How we communicate with ourselves and those we care about determines whether we possess integrity and feel empowered to express ourselves as human beings. Much of our symptoms are the effects of emotional, psychological, and physical isolation and self-alienation which can even happen when we are surrounded by other people.

You are “highly functioning”. You have succeeded in most of the ways that were expected of you. Most people look to you for direction, leadership, and support. And, you have a different internal life. You feel resentful of all the obligations put on you. You struggle with intimacy. You feel alone despite having a large social network. You worry a lot. You have a hard time knowing what you need. You feel disconnected from yourself. You feel tired. You want more.

There is currently a lot of uncertainty in the world. Now, more than ever it is important to find the support we might have been lacking. Usually, we feel as if we can tackle everything on our own, but that might not be the case anymore. Taking the step to care for yourself not only benefits you, but those around you. In my experience, I have found that the most healing moments occur when we are able to be completely open with another person and then be accepted for who we truly are. I value all my clients whole-heatedly and emphasize your autonomy and personal choice. I believe that you are the expert on your own life.

Good change is still change and can be difficult to navigate alone. Are you someone who has come to the other side of survival mode but has not figured out how to thrive? Are old patterns of behavior still impacting your overall ability to have a healthy relationship with yourself and with others? Are you struggling to increase wanted behaviors and decrease unwanted behaviors? Are you able to be unmindful of worry? I help those who are doing “everything right” but aren’t living the life they want. The ones who have survived much but are not sure how to move and heal forward.

I am a board-certified licensed clinician practicing in Oregon, proficient in both English and Arabic. I have had the privilege of working with individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, encompassing both adults and youth. My philosophy hinges on the integration of social justice and advocacy within counseling. I believe that embracing these principles creates a holistic framework that fosters compassion, acceptance, trust, and forgiveness. By recognizing the unique intersectionality of each individual's experiences, I strive to create a therapeutic environment that honors diversity and promotes healing and growth.

I am honored to serve as a guide on your journey towards growth and healing. I understand the courage it takes to take the first step, so it's important to me to co-create a safe and compassionate space for you to express yourself, and achieve the life goals you desire. I'm inspired to work with diverse groups of people, and those struggling with issues of childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, multi-racial challenges, adoption and attachment difficulties, as well as spiritual concerns. Although the healing path is not always easy, it can be profoundly rewarding and transformational.

***NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS*** I work with adults and couples from diverse backgrounds. Using a collaborative, relational approach I help you with your struggles with anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, multicultural identity concerns, and life transitions. The foundation of my approach focuses on developing a shared understanding of your current struggles and how personal, relational, familial, and cultural experiences help shape your unique life circumstances. While doing this I help you expand and enrich your ability to cope so that you may be more empowered to generate change in your life.

I provide psychotherapy with compassion, humor and ability to be transparent, direct and authentic. I provide a supportive environment for people going through difficult life transitions, coming to terms with painful experiences, recognizing unhelpful patterned behavior. I provide support and awareness for how to get your needs met effectively and sustainably, as well as develop and maintain more satisfying and nourishing relationships. My work is centered around helping you develop awareness of yourself, your interactions with others, and the impact you have, which then allows for lasting change and meaningful connection.

NOT accepting new clients. I think we all truly want to make more sense of ourselves, our experiences, and our environment. We want to feel engaged and nurtured in our relationships. We may pursue therapy to find self-compassion and acceptance, notice and give voice to the different parts of ourselves, rediscover our whole being, and strengthen our relationships. I acknowledge and affirm your strengths, while addressing with you those patterns that leave you feeling stuck. Through an open, curious, warm, relational style, I will listen to your story, and help you make the changes you’re interested in making.

SPRING 2024: I AM SORRY THAT I AM UNABLE TO ACCEPT NEW CLIENTS. Because our experiences are so often invalidated or trivialized, my therapeutic style is to collaborate with you to find and support your wisdom. Examining beliefs and patterns frees you up to create new possibilities, make new choices, and become more skillful in reflecting your best interests and intentions. People come to me seeking change -- to relieve depression or anxiety, to ease a difficult transition, for support with family or relationship troubles, to become more skillful with others and to bring their lives closer to their ideals.

I offer experience and expertise dealing with recovery from effects of child abuse, family violence, substance abuse, divorce and other life cycle trauma. I use an eclectic therapuetic style including experiential and cognitive means. Developing your personal genogram is a powerful tool to guide you on your journey toward wellness. Personal growth and recovery involves a willingness to challenge yourself to try something different. Everyone deserves to feel more comfortable "in their own skin."

I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the core of meaningful, effective therapy. Whether you are seeking therapy for the first time, or continuing on a healing path, my focus is on meeting you where you are with compassion, non-judgment, and skillfulness. I work primarily with adults, and specialize in treating anxiety, complex trauma and attachment issues, life transitions, grief/bereavement, self-esteem, co-dependency and/or substance use concerns, and depression. Many of my clients identify as LGBTQIA+.