Gestalt Therapists in Portland, OR

You may be struggling to adapt to changes in your life and feeling anxious, depressed, and lost. We all respond to challenges in creative ways, and these adaptations can make us less flexible, leading to difficulties in other areas. Perhaps this is impacting your relationships, including how you feel about yourself. You might be having difficulty understanding and expressing your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes it is hard to heal from the past, find comfort in the present, and choose a way forward. Therapy can help derive meaning from experience and discover a greater sense of purpose.

I believe that darkness is an opportunity to find our own true light. Pain is a guide that leads us to be fully present with our experiences and unearth their true meaning and wisdom. We all have the ability to find and know our truth. We hold our own healing and answers deep within ourselves. My role is to provide a nurturing, respectful environment where I stay connected and present with you in this discovery process. Although this may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, it will lead you to more self-appreciation and self-love in your healing journey.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with adults struggling with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, Identity issues, substance use, and loss. I believe that understanding the effect of our past experiences on our present perceptions and emotions can lead to healing and growth. I recognize the limitations of insight alone and value the relational and experiential aspects of psychotherapy. My background is in Gestalt Therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and experiential therapy that blend together to help people experience holistic change and positive growth.

I enjoy working with a wide range of individuals and have specialized training in the treatment of anxiety and mood related disorders. I work well with individuals who identify as being "emotionally sensitive" and who struggle with impulsivity and/or unstable relationships. I also work well with those have a hard time experiencing their emotions and want to be more fully present and engaged in their lives.

I have been practicing psychotherapy in Portland, Oregon for over thirty years. Initially trained as a child and family therapist in the psychodynamic tradition at the University of Michigan, I have since continued to broaden and deepen my experience and skills through further training in and study of Gestalt therapy theory, contemporary psychoanalysis, Collaborative Couple Therapy, anthroposophy, and hatha yoga. Please feel free to check my website for more information on everything I offer.

Let me listen to you & help you face problems, fears or pain so they do not continue to block your life. Depressed or anxious? Want deeper communication, intimacy & sexual connection with your spouse/partner? Find freedom to be your authentic self at home and work. LGBTQI affirming. Coping with trauma, grief or addictions? Safely integrate emotions/behaviors so you can meet your needs differently. Loss is pervasive in life. We encounter it thru unmet expectations, discrimination, transitions, illness, dying, death, growth, abuse & more. Find peace amidst life's changes. Discover meaning & joy. Live an AUTHENTIC LIFE!

Life and relationships are full of growth opportunities for all of us. I work in collaboration with clients to increase connection and awareness of core values so they can make lasting change. My style is positive, warm and direct. For those working to find increased joy and stability within themselves and their relationships, we can explore together the areas that feel stuck and ways to increase functioning and open up more choice.

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS...Everyone is on a journey of personal development; making meaning of their lives and experiences. I consider people to be the experts in their lives, who, when supported, are able to follow their natural drive for self-actualization. All human experiences are a valuable part of the process of self-emergence. Even the greatest challenges can offer insight and fuel for a path forward. I seek to draw out clients' strengths and support the cultivation of their inner guide. People are neither sick nor well. Rather, we are all in process, with personal depths that want for exploration.

I am currently accepting new patients -

I provide services to individuals, couples, and families, specializing in culturally competent therapy for Portland's LGBTQ community. I work with clients of various sexual, gender, and cultural backgrounds to address issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, identity concerns, and life transitions. I collaborate with clients & their other providers to determine the focus and nature of therapy. I believe all people are oriented towards health and growth, but sometimes develop problematic ways of thinking, acting, being, and interacting. In therapy we explore areas of your life to find ways of being that help you feel more contented, balanced, and effective.

Life can be hard. We depend on others to live the life we have. Health in life is a combination of internal and external supports. I can help you explore your internal supports and identify those external supports which help you with trauma, stress, loss. My approach works as an external support to your internal support as you walk through difficult times and situations. I work with individuals, couples, families, adults, adolescents and children. I meet you in the situation and time you find your self by providing support for acceptance of where you are and support towards where you want to be.

After 25+ years of providing counseling I find my philosophy has grown simpler and more to the point. Successful counseling is built on a positive and trusting relationship, much as successful living is dependent on trusting, healthy relationships. I bring a broad array of treatment tools to my work including gestalt , object relations and psychodynamic theory. Most importantly I bring myself; my heart, my humor, my understanding, knowledge and years of experience. I work with adults and children, couples and groups(this includes families).

I have been working with adolescents, adults and couples for over 30 years. I do both traditional "talk therapy" as well as expressive arts therapy in my fully equipped studio (on site). I specialize in helping people with life transitions (separation, divorce ) and provide Co-parenting mediation services for families living in bi-nuclear households. I have extensive training in trauma resolution, the Enneagram, current brain science, Gestalt therapy and process work. I have had the honor of working with many individuals and families over the years and I have a strong commitment to improving my skills and techniques every year.

I wish to honor the struggle bringing you to therapy while holding the possibility for real, long lasting transformation. My intention is to create a space where you feel safe and capable of holding your experiences in new ways. From this space of self-acceptance, we will begin to explore the ways in which your natural expression has been distorted. In essence, you will recognize and work with the blocks limiting your life.

Therapy is an inherently collaborative process. As such, I believe that effective therapy begins by building a foundation of trust, understanding, and compassion. I see my clients as the experts on their experience, their values, and their goals. My role is to work with individuals to identify and develop creative strategies, tools, insights, etc., to support their growth and healing. As an integrative therapist, my work is primarily based in CBT/DBT, Gestalt , Mindfulness-based therapies, and is neuropsychologically informed. My perspective is grounded in feminist and intersectional frameworks, with an emphasis on cultural humility.

You can find a safe space with therapy when you can find it nowhere else. Finding trustworthy professionals to help you with intimate issues is embarrassing and difficult. This is my most important skill, something not learned in school: unconditional positive acceptance and honest, non-threatening communication about intimate problems. Here you will find sensitivity to private behaviors which are regarded with non-judgmental acceptance and respect, never shame nor intolerance.

I am currently accepting new clients. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has practiced in Oregon, Wyoming, Utah and as an intern in Florida. My background is working with people struggling with substance abuse, trauma survivors, the LGBTQ community, couples and all forms of families, people with traumatic brain injuries, people with autism, grief and loss, crisis pregnancies, adoption issues, children in foster care and people living with HIV and AIDS. I am proud to have worked in a variety of settings and with people who need support, clarity, and space to heal.