Grief Therapists in Portland, OR

I am profoundly blessed to do work that I love. I strive to deeply witness, understand and hold space for you in your moments of pain and uncertainty. In times of hardship we must be compassionate with ourselves and our process. We all have uniquely rich and complex stories that shape our own meaning and understanding of ourselves and our world. I provide a safe, encouraging and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. My style is warm, collaborative and direct. I believe compassion and humor are vital ingredients for happiness and healing. My approach is integrative, I utilize a strength based, humanistic and relational perspective.

My passion is helping people heal and grow through difficult experiences, such as loss , trauma and life stressors. Through over 20 years of working with grief and trauma, I have come to believe in the healing power of sharing our stories. In addition, I believe good counseling helps us move us out of "stuck" patterns of unhelpful coping and into a state of thriving in our relationships, work and life pursuits. I specialize in treating grief and life transitions, but also work extensively with relationship challenges, illness, depression, anxiety, stress and issues related to wellness.

I provide a focused and understanding space that supports you opening to your own aliveness and your voice. I bring my full attention, my honest feeling, and I will share what I see will help you. Often our first response to misfortune is to fight against it. While we may have skillful ways of doing this, our efforts nevertheless become futile and disconnect us from others. Our energy gets bound up, we get stuck in elusive cycles. However, our truths are complex and deserve to be recognized.

Hi, I'm Aletha (pronounced like "Aretha", but with an 'L"). I am glad you are here. Whether you are looking for relief from anxiety or depression, or navigating grief , trauma, a challenging relationship, or other difficult life circumstances, it is so good that you are seeking support. Having support is one of the most important things you can do to help yourself to heal. In working together, I endeavor to meet you where you are with warmth, acceptance, and respect to create a healing relationship with you that provides a safe space to move towards new experiences of trust, belonging, and authentic fulfillment.

I offer Individual Counseling specializing in trauma recovery, grief and loss , relationship issues, and personal empowerment. I am a Certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist. I completed the Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) training through the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. I assist clients in re-learning to trust their inner compass and embrace their own capacity for growth and wellness. Part of that growth is in building relationship with themselves, and with others, to develop and or enhance intimacy, community, and connection.

I am passionate about helping people struggling with issues caused by trauma & abuse. These often times include a loss of safety, confusing emotional experiences, and difficulty creating and maintaining healthy long term relationships.

You have the ability to live a self determined life, free from the pain of your past. No matter what challenges you are facing, growth, healing, and recovery are possible. My approach to therapy is collaborative, relationship driven, and rooted in helping you understand the way your attachment style influences your relationships, habits, and patterns of behavior. We will work to bring context to your history, understand your defense mechanisms, and develop new ways for you to respond to distressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as we build your path to emotional freedom.

Have you been longing for a more fulfilling, meaningful life? If you are feeling paralyzed or trapped by worry or sadness, you may benefit from an in-depth psychotherapy approach that allows you to break old patterns and grow into a deeper understanding of yourself. I offer online (video-based) therapy to treat trauma, grief / loss , anxiety, and depression. I use CBT and Mindfulness based techniques in my work, but the foundation of my therapeutic approach is from an Existential Therapy perspective, which allows us to slow down and look closely at your current experience so that together we can shape the future you want to have.