Child Therapists in Portland, OR

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with children , tweens, teens, and young adults. In order to provide the most effective, personalized treatment for my clients, I use a supportive and collaborative approach. Using Cognitive Behavioral, Family Systems, and Behavioral therapeutic interventions, I provide evidenced based therapy to treat a variety of disorders including, anxiety spectrum disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and problems related to academic and family stress. Due to my extensive training in medical hospitals, I have experience treating individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, and/or who have complex medical diagnoses as well.

I hope to support you as you seek the best path toward healing. I believe people have strength to endure life's challenges, especially with supportive relationships. I bring over a decade of experience working with children , adults and families, where I served people with needs ranging from anxiety and depression, behavioral struggles and exposure to trauma. I enjoy working with people at each stage of life, and when working with children , I believe parents are a vital part of the growth process.

I specialize in serving children and families on issues related to anxiety, anger management, social skill difficulties, family relational problems, trauma, depression, grief and loss. My work focuses on educating families about appropriate play strategies and interaction techniques, and on working directly with children to develop new behaviors to cope with daily life stress. My major focus is on developing and reinforcing skills which research shows to foster healthy child development, self esteem, and relationships while assisting families in developing nurturing and enriching environments for all members. I encourage open communication with clients to ensure appropriate techniques with children and families.

*closed* I am a dedicated mental health therapist. I truly believe that it is important to remain open in a field that is constantly changing and developing. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of others’ lives and their process of learning, awareness, and change. I have experience across several populations and thrive while working with adolescents, adults, and families. I look forward to opportunities to collaborate with you and support you through your therapy process. I have a tremendous respect for ethics, being client centered, 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming, culturally sensitivity, and strength based care.

I am looking forward to working with adults, couples, families, adolescents and/or children (in no particular order) that are interested in art therapy and counseling. I have had 5 years experience in a residential setting with adolescents who struggle with both addictions and mental health concerns. And for another 7 years I worked with children and families in need of significant services at a non-profit organization downtown. I am now primarily working with Clients (like you!) at my private practice in SE Portland and am truly enjoying the experience.

I believe that everyone including families can reach an optimum state of integrated health. When speaking of integrated health, it involves not just the mental and emotional health but there are the spirit, body, and environment as well. I believe that in order to be an effective counselor, you meet the individual or family where they are and help them to either understand, adapt, or cope with the causative and/or efficacy.

My goal is to give kids a safe place to explore their thoughts and feelings and then empower their caregivers with information and insight into their child 's experience. I can also provide supportive techniques for caregivers in filial therapy and attachment methods which include playful activities that help you enjoy parenting again. I am passionate about treating children with anxiety and trauma concerns. My decade of experience has been focused on working with children who have been through the trauma of grief, divorce, neglect, and sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

I work with people of all ages and am experienced in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, substance abuse and eating disorders. I enjoy working with adults who are rethinking longstanding patterns, struggling with family-of-origin issues, or adjusting to unanticipated changes in their lives. I see these transitions as opportunities for growth, healing, and the development of greater awareness. I also work with children and teens and bring creativity, experience and common sense to this work. I work with couples and families, especially those experiencing conflict, transitions, or struggles related to loss, trauma, divorce, remarriage, or shifting roles.

We help new parents, young children , and teens to create healthier relationships and work together to navigate family conflict, life stressors, and adjustment to change. Do your child 's emotions and outbursts seem out of control and too much to handle? Does your teen seem anxious, depressed, or withdrawn? Are you and your partner arguing constantly about parenting? Feeling sad and hopeless, or not bonding with your baby or child like you thought you would? We can help.