Psychoanalytic Therapists in Portland, OR

Starting therapy can be daunting, so I encourage you to reach out, even if you're uncertain where to start. I've witnessed profound impacts in my work with people, where shame becomes self acceptance and overwhelm becomes relief and ease. I welcome everyone who wants to work with me, and especially welcome those who may not have felt comfortable in therapy before, possibly due to experiencing marginality, societal oppression, or being shy. I also tend to work well with over achievers, sensitive introverts, and perfectionists struggling to find a stable sense of self worth. My practice is anti oppression and trauma informed.

I work with people having a wide range of concerns. Areas of specialty include identity formation, relationship dynamics, loss, and issues of spirituality (both questioning and growth). I work especially well with persons who are curious about themselves and their ways of interacting with the world. I practice relationally-based psychoanalytic psychotherapy; meaning that, where relevant, we talk about relationships in your life impacting your way of navigating the world. We have each found ways to survive our world as best we can; at some point, we may consider wanting to shift these ways because they do not work as well as they once did.

Psychotherapy can be a tremendously helpful and rewarding experience for those seeking assistance. It can serve to alleviate anxiety and depression as well as help individuals to feel less conflicted and better able to reach their potential in work and relationships. As a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, I believe it is important to form a safe and reliable alliance from which we can collaboratively work on achieving your objectives.

I am a highly trained psychotherapist and psychoanalyst and I treat adolescents and adults who are struggling with difficulties in living, including depression, anxiety, self esteem, identity, sexual functioning, and career and parenting issues. If you feel lost, alone, worthless, or directionless, I can be of help. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a collaborative process where we work to identify, explore and change repetitive patterns that may keep you stuck or unfulfilled whether in work, relationships, or life in general. Therapy can help you develop capacities, master traumas, resolve conflicts, gain clarity and perspective and lead a more fulfilling life.

I work to strengthen mental wellness and treat conditions that contribute to unwanted thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and patterns. In therapy you will find new ways to cope and manage, as well as explore your unconscious psyche. My belief is that people get stuck because of what is happening in their unconscious. I am trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cbt (TF-CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and two years of post-graduate supervised psychoanalytic training. I am engaged in at least 20 hours of continuing education a year through professional conferences and trainings.

Therapy is an opportunity for personal development in a safe, nonjudgmental, respectful, private, and supportive environment. It is natural to feel overwhelmed at times and it is not a sign of weak character to seek help. Through therapy we can learn to manage our emotions more effectively, improve our relationships and communication, bolster our confidence and self-esteem, and minimize our distress. In my work, I strive to create a comfortable environment in which I can assist clients in identifying thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and recurring patterns of behavior that may be impinging on the capacity to experience and create a fuller, more satisfying life.

Hello, my name is Cynthia (she/her). I am a licensed clinical psychologist in MA & OR. Prior to becoming a psychologist, I worked as a public interest attorney in MI and OR. As a psychologist, I continue to work from a liberation framework, approaching therapy as a collaboration. I specialize in psychodynamic psychotherapy -an evidence based treatment- to illuminate how the past and present, external and internal, mutually influence one another. I also integrate tools from other therapy modalities to support the unique needs of each individual.

People typically come to see me because they are experiencing psychological distress and/or interpersonal difficulties. The in-depth look at these issues not only leads to symptom relief but to longterm change of dysfunctional and painful( sometimes unconscious) ways we may perceive and judge ourselves. I enjoy being a psychotherapist in part because it is satisfying and exciting to see people become more insightful, effective and confident in each of the important areas of their lives. I have been doing this work for 35+ years and plan to continue for many years.

Telehealth available in Oregon and California. The process of therapy is as unique and nuanced as the stories of each of our lives. Who we are and who we might discover ourselves to be are at the center of each therapeutic journey. I tailor my therapeutic approach to fit your unique story, the specific challenges you arrive with, and the goals you seek to reach. I offer a space free from judgment where you can speak openly, unhampered by social mores and conventional expectations. I work with individuals, couples, and teenagers. Telehealth available in Oregon and California.

I strive to establish a supportive, respectful, and affirming environment in which people can identify and explore thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and recurring patterns of behavior that may be interfering with their capacity to experience a fuller and more satisfying life. I place a high emphasis on the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and I offer a warm, relational, and culturally sensitive approach to therapy. I provide individual psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy services for adults.

Welcome and thank you for including me in your search! Taking the brave step to learn more about who you are is a great gift to yourself. If you are experiencing anxious and/or depressed feelings due to issues regarding work, relationships, life transitions, social pressures, sexual identity, grief, illness, trauma, or abuse, we can address and work through these challenges together.