Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in Portland, OR

I am a seasoned therapist with 20+ years' experience, and I work primarily with adults seeking help for grief/loss, anxiety and depression, and/or the impacts of complex trauma. Drawing from training and experience in approaches that include IFS (Level-1), ACT, DBT and MBSR, I would collaborate with you to tailor therapy to your needs and preferences. Together, we would work towards realizing what you most desire for your future. My practice is trauma- and social justice-informed, and people from diverse backgrounds share that they appreciate the warmth, authenticity and skill that I bring to this process.

I specialize in relationships, assisting individuals and couples to deepen connection and heal the past. Therapy can be a transformational process of self-discovery facilitated by deeper levels of awareness and change. I believe we have an inherent ability to heal ourselves. I offer the experience of mindful observation, acceptance and compassion, so you may offer the same unconditional positive regard toward yourself and others. Sitting in close and conscious relationship with a skilled therapist can be a profound vehicle for this process. I use an integrative approach recognizing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.

Heather is a compassionate guide who listens deeply and accepts you where you’re at. She helps you explore your strengths and limitations within a safe context where your thoughts and emotions can be felt, communicated, and understood. Heather is experienced in working with clients struggling with depression, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, and personal growth/exploration. She is specialized in helping women who have experienced infertility or loss due to miscarriage & is an Enneagram expert.

Would you like to free yourself from patterns that lead to stress, conflict, and/or withdrawal from life? Are feeling reactive or shut down in dealing with anger, fear, and/or sadness? Are you dissatisfied with life and do not know why? Having the courage to admit that things are not going well is the first step to changing them. My mindfulness-based approach supports you in being less identified with habitual ways of thinking and feeling that can keep you stuck in patterns that no longer work. I have helped many clients learn to be less reactive and more compassionate with themselves and others. Note: There is space in my groups.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and a licensed school psychologist. I hold a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY. Urban and rural, inpatient and outpatient work settings have taught me about the many challenges an individual may face including experiences of oppression and injustice, as well as a deep appreciation for the richness of the human experience. My style is described as warm, analytical and collaborative, balancing deep emotional work with elements of humor and lightness when appropriate. I aim to help clients address the root of complex challenges, in a safe and supported way.

Do you want to make a change? Coping skills often developed early on in life and were important to help get you to where you are today. They can arise from a childhood that seems "normal" or one filled with trauma and struggle. Coming to therapy is a step in healing the wounds from the past and working with the struggles of today. I can help you process your lived experience at your pace to help you move forward and make positive changes in your life. I have experience working with teens, adults, couples, and children. My approach is strength based. I am trauma informed, LGBTQI+ friendly, and anti-oppression focused.

I use She/Her/Hers pronouns and specialize in eating disorders, disorder eating, body image-related worries as well as anxiety, depression, trauma, dissociation and life-transitions. I emphasize Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating, mindfulness practices, and Somatic Therapy. I believe in a collaborative, humanistic approach and try to instill a capacity for inner reflection, self-acceptance and growth. I work to offer safe space for ALL people regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, size, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and abilities.

***NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS*** I work with adults and couples from diverse backgrounds. Using a collaborative, relational approach I help you with your struggles with anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, multicultural identity concerns, and life transitions. The foundation of my approach focuses on developing a shared understanding of your current struggles and how personal, relational, familial, and cultural experiences help shape your unique life circumstances. While doing this I help you expand and enrich your ability to cope so that you may be more empowered to generate change in your life.