Anxiety Therapists in Mount Scott, Portland, OR

Finding the right therapist can be tricky business. It's all in the match. Honest, clearly communicated feedback, compassion for your difficulties, sound clinical skills and well over 20 years of clinical experience dealing with depression, anxiety, social isolation, grief/loss, relationship problems, work issues and co-occurring medical/emotional conditions are what I have to offer you. Our work will consist of exploring your therapeutic goals, working to understand how you're current and past experiences are impacting your life then practicing changes that will move you forward. We will be a team.

Welcome! I am currently accepting new clients and specialize in helping young adults and women reduce their symptoms of anxiety and depression. People come to see me when they are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by their relentless self critic. They often use words like “stuck in a rut” and feel trapped by their negative thinking and downward spirals. Sometimes they are frozen "waiting for the other shoe to drop". They are looking for relief and skills to help manage their runaway thoughts and feelings, advocate for themselves, process grief, and ultimately improve their self confidence and self esteem.

Albert Einstein said, “You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.” As a clinical social worker I am orientated to how one copes in the environment they’re in. But what if there is more to ourselves and the world than we believe? Like Dorothy pulling back the curtain and finding the real Oz, I had my first significant peek beyond my assumptions in 2018 after years of depth practice and meditation. I knew instantly none of the negative stories I feared about myself were true and that I was intrinsically whole and complete. I was filled with joy, and my life hasn’t been the same. This is available to you too.

You may be feeling depressed, anxious, or stuck in self-defeating behaviors. Maybe you're confused or angry, or going through a difficult transition. I help people like you live happier, more rewarding lives. This may involve healing wounds from your past, finding a sense of purpose, exploring your healthy sexuality and/or gender identity, or discovering (and acting on) what you are passionate about. I will support you each step of the way.

Life is full of change and I am passionate about working with women throughout various difficult life transitions including, puberty, going to college, starting a new job/career, pregnancy, postpartum anxiety/depression, adjustment to parenthood and grief and loss. Anxiety, depression or stress and overwhelm can creep up during these moments and we will work together to get you the tools you need to cope and thrive. You are the expert on your own life and I am here to help you explore and process difficult issues, build upon your own inner resources and gain new skills to help navigate your emotions.

I integrate current research and traditional approaches to help clients reduce distress, improve daily functioning, and find fulfillment. Many clients I work with benefit from learning specific skills for stress management and interpersonal effectiveness. Others explore broader issues related to clarifying values and personal growth.

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.

Effective therapy depends on a good client-therapist match. We'll work collaboratively to address relationship problems, life changes, losses, self-worth, anxiety, depression, trauma, and overwhelming emotions. My work is built on a foundation of compassion, pragmatism, and humor. We'll explore new perspectives, and experiment with tools for managing emotions, communicating effectively, and changing behaviors. We'll expand your capacity to cope with strong feelings and we'll deepen your sense of self.

I pull largely from my experiences with Buddhist Meditation and Psychodynamic Therapy. I typically begin by helping people with anxiety, anger, depression and/or addiction. As these begin to improve, some people want to move further into their unconscious by getting in touch with their inner-child and inner-primal experiences. I also offer psychotherapy groups for those wanting to engage in emotional work with other like-minded individuals.

LICENSED IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE. I am a culturally informed person of color and an ANXIETY and CHILD/FAMILY EXPERT. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Portland with over 10 years of clinical experience. I offer psychotherapy and psychological/educational testing to children, teens, and adults. I work from a client-centered approach utilizing evidence-based treatment approaches. I specialize in Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, OCD, Mood Disorders, Substance Use Issues, and Psychological Assessment for Children, Teens, and Adults.

Helping you to live a life that you value is my goal. Often in life we end up offtrack. We pay too much attention to things that don't truly matter to us... our fears, our pain, our sorrow. By themselves there is nothing wrong with them, but when they become prevailing forces in our lives, it leads to suffering. Too often we believe that we are the problem, when in truth, the problem is the problem. I believe that we can help you find your way. You can live a life where you have created your own meaning.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP! It's never easy, but when you do take that first, safe step into healing and transformation, you will find the energy for change and lasting solutions. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you decide if we're right for each other. I specialize in anxiety and depression and their effects on relationships, including marriage, partnerships, family, and the workplace.

I love working with diverse people from a variety of backgrounds. My focus is not only on your personal growth, but also on improving your relationships with romantic partners, family members, and friends. I also love helping couples end negative cycles, heal wounds, and deepen connection. My background as a professional musician and record producer also allows me a deep understanding of issues faced by creative people, including tension between creative drive and other commitments, struggles with creative partners, and feeling unfulfilled when your creative energy is drained by your day job.

The decision to seek therapy is an incredibly brave step. If you're ready to make some meaningful changes, do away with unwanted patterns, or create an overall healthier outlook, I would be honored to work with you to reach these goals. I have spent 20 years as a mental health professional, assisting folks from all walks of life striving to make their time in this world more enjoyable & rewarding. I would appreciate the opportunity to use my skillset to assist you in overcoming obstacles that you've already identified or those we discover together. -Accepting the Oregon Health Plan.

Counseling is a personal and safe process that deeply respects and honors each individual's unique circumstances. I take a positive and creative approach to therapy while partnering with you to work toward healthy change, development, and growth. This process will involve exploring thoughts, feelings and behaviors and taking action to achieve positive change.

Are you looking for help with your relationships, have past trauma, anxiety, depression, or experiencing life transitions or grief? All of these impact how we feel about ourselves and our world, and can leave us feeling emotionally tired. I work with clients to untangle it all, find strengths, unlock stuck relationships, better understand and address anxieties, and practice new ways of thinking and being. Come learn more effective ways to communicate, while using better boundaries. Together, we create change based on new, healthy thoughts and beliefs, build self-esteem, and develop more fulfilling relationships.

Coming to therapy is a choice you are making to take care of yourself and your needs. It is a chance to address many things including anxiety, depression, relationships or to better learn about yourself. It is not always easy addressing negative feelings or examining yourself or difficult experiences, but the outcome can lead to a better balanced life. My goal is to provide a safe environment were you feel comfortable addressing and examining yourself and your needs. I like to take a collaborative, non-judgmental approach that is client-focused to address your goals while using evidence based treatments.

Accepting New Clients and providing telehealth-only services. What does it mean to prioritize your mental health? I ask this question to help shed light on one of the most effective ways to handle life's challenges and unresolved trauma. Therapy opens doors to unlimited possibilities, your ideal self. I focus on helping my clients step outside themselves and explore hidden aspects of who they are. The fear of the unknown is real and therapy allows you to traverse that journey with a facilitator, someone you can reach out to in a crisis.

As queer and trans relationship therapist, I help my clients envision a culture of their relationship that honors their whole selves while building effective communication. This could include learning how to recognize and express needs for connection; navigating conflicts in a compassionate way; exploring boundaries for non-monogamous relationships; or re-establishing trust after conflicts. I specialize in working with people who live outside of the "norm," including queer, kinky and non-monogamous folks, from a non-judgmental and liberatory framework. You deserve to be respected and supported in your relationship journey.