Therapists in Southwest, Portland, OR
As a mental health professional, I bring nearly a decade of experience to benefit clients from a broad range of backgrounds. My professional style is holistic, high-energy, compassionate, organized, and solution focused with motivation to assist clients in meeting their needs and develop skills through therapeutic treatment to achieve their optimal level of emotional health. I am available to all individuals at various stages of their mental health journey. Similarly to my choice of approach, the ultimate objective of our time together will differ between individuals, and we can work together to identify your personal goals.
As a mental health professional, I bring nearly a decade of experience to benefit clients from a broad range of backgrounds. My professional style is holistic, high-energy, compassionate, organized, and solution focused with motivation to assist clients in meeting their needs and develop skills through therapeutic treatment to achieve their optimal level of emotional health. I am available to all individuals at various stages of their mental health journey. Similarly to my choice of approach, the ultimate objective of our time together will differ between individuals, and we can work together to identify your personal goals.
When life gets tough, you deserve a space that supports and reflects you. Whether you’re navigating deep emotional struggles, having partner conflict, or simply need someone to walk beside you through a challenging time, I’m here to help guide and uplift you. Together, we’ll work to help you better attune to your emotions, gain clarity around your experiences, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs. My goal is for you to leave therapy feeling more content, empowered, and in control of your life.
I especially enjoy working with couples and individuals who identify as queer, trans, and/or neurodivergent!
When life gets tough, you deserve a space that supports and reflects you. Whether you’re navigating deep emotional struggles, having partner conflict, or simply need someone to walk beside you through a challenging time, I’m here to help guide and uplift you. Together, we’ll work to help you better attune to your emotions, gain clarity around your experiences, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs. My goal is for you to leave therapy feeling more content, empowered, and in control of your life.
I especially enjoy working with couples and individuals who identify as queer, trans, and/or neurodivergent!
Each of us navigates many issues and transitions throughout our lives. Whether these are issues of abuse, trauma, identity, relationships, or physical and mental wellness, knowing that you are not alone in this process can lead to profound courage, hope, and change. I have a deep belief in our potential for growth and healing. As a therapist, I offer a safe place for this work. I will be a compassionate and insightful witness that will be fully present to your journey. Together, we will tend to your inner knowing, emerging awareness, and the making of new meaning.
Each of us navigates many issues and transitions throughout our lives. Whether these are issues of abuse, trauma, identity, relationships, or physical and mental wellness, knowing that you are not alone in this process can lead to profound courage, hope, and change. I have a deep belief in our potential for growth and healing. As a therapist, I offer a safe place for this work. I will be a compassionate and insightful witness that will be fully present to your journey. Together, we will tend to your inner knowing, emerging awareness, and the making of new meaning.
I specialize in working with LGBTQ+, trans, and neurodivergent adults, couples, and families who are navigating identity, transitions, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and other extreme mind states. Many are coping with suicide, trauma, masking or burnout, family or relationship stress, and feeling unseen or misunderstood. Together we focus on building coping skills, reducing shame, honoring all parts of their identity, and creating a life that feels safer, more authentic, and worth waking up to.
I specialize in working with LGBTQ+, trans, and neurodivergent adults, couples, and families who are navigating identity, transitions, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and other extreme mind states. Many are coping with suicide, trauma, masking or burnout, family or relationship stress, and feeling unseen or misunderstood. Together we focus on building coping skills, reducing shame, honoring all parts of their identity, and creating a life that feels safer, more authentic, and worth waking up to.
I help people who have ongoing symptoms and negative life impacts from recent and childhood/complex PTSD and desire to seek relief from distress and gain calmness, clarity, and confidence again. PTSD and stress affect people in a variety of ways, ranging from problems with addictions, anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, disorganization, distractibility, eating, emotional dysregulation, guilt, health, intrusive thoughts, panic, perfectionism, people pleasing, relationships, sadness, shame, sleep, work, and more.
I help people who have ongoing symptoms and negative life impacts from recent and childhood/complex PTSD and desire to seek relief from distress and gain calmness, clarity, and confidence again. PTSD and stress affect people in a variety of ways, ranging from problems with addictions, anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, disorganization, distractibility, eating, emotional dysregulation, guilt, health, intrusive thoughts, panic, perfectionism, people pleasing, relationships, sadness, shame, sleep, work, and more.
Specializing in relationship and sexual issues, I work with individuals and couples to overcome anxiety, shame, "addiction" and damaged trust. I will work closely with you to address any factors impacting your ability to connect securely and deeply with your partners. Whether you're experiencing differences in desire, performance anxiety, healing from a breach in trust, or just want to develop a healthier approach to dating and relationships, I would be honored to work with you.
Specializing in relationship and sexual issues, I work with individuals and couples to overcome anxiety, shame, "addiction" and damaged trust. I will work closely with you to address any factors impacting your ability to connect securely and deeply with your partners. Whether you're experiencing differences in desire, performance anxiety, healing from a breach in trust, or just want to develop a healthier approach to dating and relationships, I would be honored to work with you.
I am honored to create space for people to experience connection and support as they grow, heal, or transition. Whether it is a couple/relationship stuck in a pattern or longing for deeper connection, or an individual ready to make sense of things or move forward toward something new.
I am honored to create space for people to experience connection and support as they grow, heal, or transition. Whether it is a couple/relationship stuck in a pattern or longing for deeper connection, or an individual ready to make sense of things or move forward toward something new.
Couples come to me when love feels stuck. Maybe you're caught in the same argument, healing from infidelity, or feeling more like roommates than partners. Some navigate mismatched desire, differences in sexual interest, or opening up the relationship; others wrestle with jealousy, parenting, invisible labor, or cultural and identity struggles – including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and other socially marginalized identities. Together, we untangle what's beneath the conflict so you can rebuild trust and intimacy, and create the depth and connection you're craving.
Couples come to me when love feels stuck. Maybe you're caught in the same argument, healing from infidelity, or feeling more like roommates than partners. Some navigate mismatched desire, differences in sexual interest, or opening up the relationship; others wrestle with jealousy, parenting, invisible labor, or cultural and identity struggles – including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and other socially marginalized identities. Together, we untangle what's beneath the conflict so you can rebuild trust and intimacy, and create the depth and connection you're craving.
My name is Nick Kirk. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Portland, Oregon. I have over 15 years of experience working as a mental health professional in a variety of settings, from residential programs with youth experiencing serious emotional disturbance to outpatient telehealth platforms with adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
My name is Nick Kirk. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Portland, Oregon. I have over 15 years of experience working as a mental health professional in a variety of settings, from residential programs with youth experiencing serious emotional disturbance to outpatient telehealth platforms with adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
My ideal client is someone who feels stuck in their relationships or overwhelmed by change and wants things to feel more connected and meaningful. They may be navigating family transitions, conflict, emotional stress, or behavioral challenges and want support that feels warm and collaborative. Their goal is to understand patterns, strengthen bonds, and feel more confident being their authentic self—both with loved ones and within their own inner world.
My ideal client is someone who feels stuck in their relationships or overwhelmed by change and wants things to feel more connected and meaningful. They may be navigating family transitions, conflict, emotional stress, or behavioral challenges and want support that feels warm and collaborative. Their goal is to understand patterns, strengthen bonds, and feel more confident being their authentic self—both with loved ones and within their own inner world.
Welcome! As a psychologist and psychoanalyst, I believe that developing a deeper understanding about our current and past experiences within a supportive therapeutic relationship leads to developing more meaningful, clear, and satisfying lives. In psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, the focus is not just on alleviating symptoms, but on understanding and working through beliefs, feelings, desires, conflicts, and fears that operate out of awareness and impact current difficulties. This is a collaborative process where we work to explore and change repetitive patterns that leave you feeling lost, stuck, and unfulfilled.
Welcome! As a psychologist and psychoanalyst, I believe that developing a deeper understanding about our current and past experiences within a supportive therapeutic relationship leads to developing more meaningful, clear, and satisfying lives. In psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, the focus is not just on alleviating symptoms, but on understanding and working through beliefs, feelings, desires, conflicts, and fears that operate out of awareness and impact current difficulties. This is a collaborative process where we work to explore and change repetitive patterns that leave you feeling lost, stuck, and unfulfilled.
My qualification and license: I am a Certified Social Work Associate in Oregon state. I received a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of science in Psychology from Portland State University. My professional Background involves many years of experience serving vulnerable populations of people and providing case management, as well as trauma informed care and crisis intervention. I have cultural competency working with the Latinx and marginalized communities. I have worked alongside many community partners including Department of Human Services, the Domestic Violence Resource Center, Sexual Assault Resource Center and
My qualification and license: I am a Certified Social Work Associate in Oregon state. I received a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of science in Psychology from Portland State University. My professional Background involves many years of experience serving vulnerable populations of people and providing case management, as well as trauma informed care and crisis intervention. I have cultural competency working with the Latinx and marginalized communities. I have worked alongside many community partners including Department of Human Services, the Domestic Violence Resource Center, Sexual Assault Resource Center and
Sara Beth Austin | Perfectionism & Burnout Therapy
Professional Counselor Associate, MA, NCC, DARTT, RYT
3 Endorsed
Southwest, Portland, OR 97221
I help stressed, burnt-out perfectionistics learn to chill out and enjoy life. Whether you're a high-achieving student or health care professional, it’s exhausting to feel like you’re always ‘on’, performing, or wearing a mask. Too much of self-control, or overcontrol, makes it hard to relax, be present, and connect meaningfully with others. Overcontrol can lead to anxiety, depression, disordered eating, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and intimacy avoidance. You don’t have to struggle alone–I’ve been a therapist helping LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other overcontrolled folx get unstuck for over 10 years.
I help stressed, burnt-out perfectionistics learn to chill out and enjoy life. Whether you're a high-achieving student or health care professional, it’s exhausting to feel like you’re always ‘on’, performing, or wearing a mask. Too much of self-control, or overcontrol, makes it hard to relax, be present, and connect meaningfully with others. Overcontrol can lead to anxiety, depression, disordered eating, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and intimacy avoidance. You don’t have to struggle alone–I’ve been a therapist helping LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other overcontrolled folx get unstuck for over 10 years.
I specialize in working with children and teens from a holistic perspective and integrate Play therapy & Art therapy .May be your child is struggling with anxiety &depression, and you are unsure how to help them? You may have noticed your child struggling with self regulation, grief, sadness & anger issues. May be you are a parent who is overwhelmed and wants to parent mindfully.
I strongly believes that every child has innate strengths of their own to cope with difficulties. These strengths become less dominant when a child internalizes a negative experience. Children feel safe when they communicate through play.
I specialize in working with children and teens from a holistic perspective and integrate Play therapy & Art therapy .May be your child is struggling with anxiety &depression, and you are unsure how to help them? You may have noticed your child struggling with self regulation, grief, sadness & anger issues. May be you are a parent who is overwhelmed and wants to parent mindfully.
I strongly believes that every child has innate strengths of their own to cope with difficulties. These strengths become less dominant when a child internalizes a negative experience. Children feel safe when they communicate through play.
I firmly believe that growth has two paths. To truly flourish, one must balance a desire for change with a true willingness to accept oneselve for who you are. A treatment that embraces this idea is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and it's the core philosophy I use with my patients every day. In treatment, DBT concepts focus on changing things that are getting in the way of living the life you want, while accepting yourself unconditionally. The focus is to develop a life worth living. My program offers a full finality DBT which includes individual therapy, group skills training, and phone consultation.
I firmly believe that growth has two paths. To truly flourish, one must balance a desire for change with a true willingness to accept oneselve for who you are. A treatment that embraces this idea is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and it's the core philosophy I use with my patients every day. In treatment, DBT concepts focus on changing things that are getting in the way of living the life you want, while accepting yourself unconditionally. The focus is to develop a life worth living. My program offers a full finality DBT which includes individual therapy, group skills training, and phone consultation.
I believe healing begins in a safe, supportive space where you feel truly seen and understood. In our work together, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the deeper layers of your experiences, patterns, relationships, and family dynamics with curiosity and compassion. Together, we’ll uncover the roots of what feels challenging while also recognizing the strengths and resilience you carry.I often weave mindfulness and somatic practices into therapy, offering simple tools to help you feel more grounded, regulated, and connected to yourself. My approach is also deeply guided by a multicultural and social justice perspective.
I believe healing begins in a safe, supportive space where you feel truly seen and understood. In our work together, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the deeper layers of your experiences, patterns, relationships, and family dynamics with curiosity and compassion. Together, we’ll uncover the roots of what feels challenging while also recognizing the strengths and resilience you carry.I often weave mindfulness and somatic practices into therapy, offering simple tools to help you feel more grounded, regulated, and connected to yourself. My approach is also deeply guided by a multicultural and social justice perspective.
Our lives are not linear, we go through so many big transitions that we sometimes find ourselves feeling a bit adrift. I specialize in working with new mothers navigating the perinatal phase of mental health, which can often throw a curveball we weren’t expecting. There’s no such thing as too much support postpartum, and I’m happy to be part of your team. I care deeply about my clients and want you to feel seen, heard, and understood. If you have found your way to me, I am honored to support you as you navigate your way through the challenges you’re currently facing.
Our lives are not linear, we go through so many big transitions that we sometimes find ourselves feeling a bit adrift. I specialize in working with new mothers navigating the perinatal phase of mental health, which can often throw a curveball we weren’t expecting. There’s no such thing as too much support postpartum, and I’m happy to be part of your team. I care deeply about my clients and want you to feel seen, heard, and understood. If you have found your way to me, I am honored to support you as you navigate your way through the challenges you’re currently facing.
Are there seemingly "insurmountable" obstacles in your life? Are you feeling sad, lonely, angry, anxious, or empty, but you can't figure out how or even what to change. Whether these struggles have recently developed or have been life-long, together we can work toward changes leading you to a more satisfying, fulfilling, and joyful life. For 30+ years, I've been effectively using talk therapy with couples and individuals helping them to express, feel and sort out their unique struggles. Their clarity, purpose, and coping skills improve, leading to a more vibrant connection with themselves and those around them.
Are there seemingly "insurmountable" obstacles in your life? Are you feeling sad, lonely, angry, anxious, or empty, but you can't figure out how or even what to change. Whether these struggles have recently developed or have been life-long, together we can work toward changes leading you to a more satisfying, fulfilling, and joyful life. For 30+ years, I've been effectively using talk therapy with couples and individuals helping them to express, feel and sort out their unique struggles. Their clarity, purpose, and coping skills improve, leading to a more vibrant connection with themselves and those around them.
Trust issues, religious/childhood trauma, anxiety, grief, shame, strained relationships, and career issues are my specialties. If you struggle with any of these, you know how frustrating and confusing it can be. You're worried about getting in touch with your feelings because they feel overwhelming. You want to behave differently, but keep repeating the same patterns. Your coping mechanisms helped you survive in the past, and might even be keeping you safe now, but you want to move from surviving to thriving. Asking for help is hard, but the do-it-yourself "get over it" mentality hasn't been working.
Trust issues, religious/childhood trauma, anxiety, grief, shame, strained relationships, and career issues are my specialties. If you struggle with any of these, you know how frustrating and confusing it can be. You're worried about getting in touch with your feelings because they feel overwhelming. You want to behave differently, but keep repeating the same patterns. Your coping mechanisms helped you survive in the past, and might even be keeping you safe now, but you want to move from surviving to thriving. Asking for help is hard, but the do-it-yourself "get over it" mentality hasn't been working.
There are many different ways to heal, just as there are many different ways to grieve and process emotions. I believe that you do not need to have something “wrong” with you in order to seek help. Whether you have hit your personal rock bottom, or just a blip in the road, I will provide a safe and healing space to come along side you, and work collaboratively in order to find what feels authentic for you and your life. I care about my clients feeling acknowledged, comfortable and challenged when appropriate. Growth with a hefty side of warmth.
There are many different ways to heal, just as there are many different ways to grieve and process emotions. I believe that you do not need to have something “wrong” with you in order to seek help. Whether you have hit your personal rock bottom, or just a blip in the road, I will provide a safe and healing space to come along side you, and work collaboratively in order to find what feels authentic for you and your life. I care about my clients feeling acknowledged, comfortable and challenged when appropriate. Growth with a hefty side of warmth.
See more therapy options for Southwest, Portland
How does your Therapist compare?
Number of Therapists in Southwest, Portland, OR
1,000+
Average cost per session
$175
Therapists in Southwest, Portland, OR who prioritize treating:
| 92% | Anxiety |
| 84% | Depression |
| 78% | Relationship Issues |
| 75% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 72% | Self Esteem |
| 69% | Stress |
| 64% | Grief |
Average years in practice
10 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 73% | Aetna |
| 57% | BlueCross and BlueShield |
| 56% | Regence |
How Therapists in Southwest, Portland, OR see their clients
| 55% | In Person and Online | |
| 45% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 74% | Female | |
| 23% | Male | |
| 3% | Non-Binary |