Psychoanalytic Therapists in Portland, OR
I help adults of all ages who are tired of chasing perfection. Despite being ambitious, hard-working, and devoted to their relationships, my clients do not feel calm inside. When they first come in, they feel compelled to present an outside image that is more attractive, more accomplished, and happier than the next person. Underneath, they carry the secret that they don’t actually feel that great. They struggle with staying present in the moment and often feel exhausted. They avoid reaching out to people, because it doesn't feel safe to show their weaknesses. Their fears get in the way of the life they want in so many ways.
I help adults of all ages who are tired of chasing perfection. Despite being ambitious, hard-working, and devoted to their relationships, my clients do not feel calm inside. When they first come in, they feel compelled to present an outside image that is more attractive, more accomplished, and happier than the next person. Underneath, they carry the secret that they don’t actually feel that great. They struggle with staying present in the moment and often feel exhausted. They avoid reaching out to people, because it doesn't feel safe to show their weaknesses. Their fears get in the way of the life they want in so many ways.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience. I have a specialty in social justice themes and work heavily with the LGBTQ community, particularly with people of color. My approach to psychotherapy is warm, empathic, and compassionate. I treat each individual professionally and with respect and with acknowledgement of your individual strengths. I listen attentively to your thoughts and feelings, while also focusing on factors that are out of your conscious awareness (such as anxieties, values, and expectations) that can get expressed in relationships or through problematic patterns or symptoms.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience. I have a specialty in social justice themes and work heavily with the LGBTQ community, particularly with people of color. My approach to psychotherapy is warm, empathic, and compassionate. I treat each individual professionally and with respect and with acknowledgement of your individual strengths. I listen attentively to your thoughts and feelings, while also focusing on factors that are out of your conscious awareness (such as anxieties, values, and expectations) that can get expressed in relationships or through problematic patterns or symptoms.
If you feel stuck in cycles of conflict, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, trauma, or distress, I’m here to support you. You may come from complex family dynamics, cultural pressures, or find yourself in painful relationship patterns. Your emotional depth may feel like both a gift and a burden. Gaining clarity and untangling unconscious patterns can be liberating and bring hope for the life you envision. I believe in each person’s ability to rise above challenges and would be honored to work together on shaping your story.
If you feel stuck in cycles of conflict, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, trauma, or distress, I’m here to support you. You may come from complex family dynamics, cultural pressures, or find yourself in painful relationship patterns. Your emotional depth may feel like both a gift and a burden. Gaining clarity and untangling unconscious patterns can be liberating and bring hope for the life you envision. I believe in each person’s ability to rise above challenges and would be honored to work together on shaping your story.
I provide mental health and career counseling to individuals and couples dealing with life's challenges. Do you want to understand more about yourself, about your identity, about the way the patterns you've learned in the past might no longer be serving you? Do you deal with the challenges of depression, anxiety, guilt, past trauma, and grief or loss? Come on in and we can explore all of it in a supportive environment.
I provide mental health and career counseling to individuals and couples dealing with life's challenges. Do you want to understand more about yourself, about your identity, about the way the patterns you've learned in the past might no longer be serving you? Do you deal with the challenges of depression, anxiety, guilt, past trauma, and grief or loss? Come on in and we can explore all of it in a supportive environment.
Couples: Are you feeling stuck in cycles of arguing or mistrust, longing for understanding and connection? You want to transform conflict into collaboration with mutual respect and deep emotional intimacy. Anxiety: Your life is a daily challenge overshadowed by fear. You desire to understand its roots and interrupt the pattern to experience lasting calm. In both cases, you seek more than temporary fixes; you’re looking for transformative changes that create ownership and empowerment. I can guide you in harmonizing these aspects of your life, offering solutions that cater to both profound relationship growth and personal peace.
Couples: Are you feeling stuck in cycles of arguing or mistrust, longing for understanding and connection? You want to transform conflict into collaboration with mutual respect and deep emotional intimacy. Anxiety: Your life is a daily challenge overshadowed by fear. You desire to understand its roots and interrupt the pattern to experience lasting calm. In both cases, you seek more than temporary fixes; you’re looking for transformative changes that create ownership and empowerment. I can guide you in harmonizing these aspects of your life, offering solutions that cater to both profound relationship growth and personal peace.
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Santa Barbara, California, and a Registered Professional Counselor practicing in Oregon. I have over 12 years of counseling experience, supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges and transitions. I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), who has specialized in addiction recovery and integrative mental health for many years.
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Santa Barbara, California, and a Registered Professional Counselor practicing in Oregon. I have over 12 years of counseling experience, supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges and transitions. I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), who has specialized in addiction recovery and integrative mental health for many years.
Feeling stuck in trauma, grief, or identity struggles—especially when the world feels like it’s working against you? Therapy can help you heal, feel understood, and reclaim your power. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or a marginalized group, your pain may be compounded by discrimination and systemic oppression. Whether you’re grieving a loss or struggling to process how society treats you, you deserve a space to heal. Therapy offers support as you rebuild confidence, make sense of your emotions, and find the strength to move forward in an often unkind world.
Feeling stuck in trauma, grief, or identity struggles—especially when the world feels like it’s working against you? Therapy can help you heal, feel understood, and reclaim your power. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or a marginalized group, your pain may be compounded by discrimination and systemic oppression. Whether you’re grieving a loss or struggling to process how society treats you, you deserve a space to heal. Therapy offers support as you rebuild confidence, make sense of your emotions, and find the strength to move forward in an often unkind world.
With over 8 years of experience as a therapist, I specialize in trauma-informed care to help clients uncover and heal unconscious patterns that hold them back. Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating relationship struggles, self-doubt, or seeking deeper self-awareness, my compassionate approach is tailored to support your unique journey toward growth and resilience.
With over 8 years of experience as a therapist, I specialize in trauma-informed care to help clients uncover and heal unconscious patterns that hold them back. Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating relationship struggles, self-doubt, or seeking deeper self-awareness, my compassionate approach is tailored to support your unique journey toward growth and resilience.
If you want to improve your relationships in your life, desire support with managing your anxiety and/or depressive symptoms more effectively, understand how past trauma is affecting your life, address your alcohol/drug use, work through equity/inclusion issues, or want an objective therapist to listen and support your own personal empowerment, I would feel honored to assist you with your self discovery. I received my Masters Degree in Social Work in 2006 and my Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling in 2009. I received my linsencure as an LCSW in 2016.
If you want to improve your relationships in your life, desire support with managing your anxiety and/or depressive symptoms more effectively, understand how past trauma is affecting your life, address your alcohol/drug use, work through equity/inclusion issues, or want an objective therapist to listen and support your own personal empowerment, I would feel honored to assist you with your self discovery. I received my Masters Degree in Social Work in 2006 and my Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling in 2009. I received my linsencure as an LCSW in 2016.
You may look like you have it together, but inside, things are more complicated. Maybe you’re juggling a demanding career, relationship stress, or ongoing family tension. You might be successful in many areas yet still feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure of what you truly want. Even when things seem “fine,” you may be exhausted by overthinking, repeating patterns, or feeling like you’re performing. Questions around identity—who you are, what you want, and what feels true—can be confusing at any stage. Maybe you just want to make sense of what’s underneath.
You may look like you have it together, but inside, things are more complicated. Maybe you’re juggling a demanding career, relationship stress, or ongoing family tension. You might be successful in many areas yet still feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure of what you truly want. Even when things seem “fine,” you may be exhausted by overthinking, repeating patterns, or feeling like you’re performing. Questions around identity—who you are, what you want, and what feels true—can be confusing at any stage. Maybe you just want to make sense of what’s underneath.
My clinical specialization is in the treatments and interventions of those struggling with eating disorders, compulsive exercise, and poor body image. My therapeutic approach is inclusive of trauma informed care and strengths-based perspectives that centers body safety, fat liberation, and inclusivity. I believe that we are the experts in our own lived experiences, therefore I prioritize collaboration in the change and therapeutic process. As a psychotherapist, you can also expect me to be patient, compassionate, curious, direct, and incredibly hilarious.
My clinical specialization is in the treatments and interventions of those struggling with eating disorders, compulsive exercise, and poor body image. My therapeutic approach is inclusive of trauma informed care and strengths-based perspectives that centers body safety, fat liberation, and inclusivity. I believe that we are the experts in our own lived experiences, therefore I prioritize collaboration in the change and therapeutic process. As a psychotherapist, you can also expect me to be patient, compassionate, curious, direct, and incredibly hilarious.
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. -Nelson Mandela. Sometimes we really want growth, change and/or to just feel better, but the fear of change is real. Men, in particular men of color, find seeking help as a sign of weakness. One of the bravest things you could ever do and the rewards are limitless when you face this challenge. If you are up for the challenge, I am ready to assist!
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. -Nelson Mandela. Sometimes we really want growth, change and/or to just feel better, but the fear of change is real. Men, in particular men of color, find seeking help as a sign of weakness. One of the bravest things you could ever do and the rewards are limitless when you face this challenge. If you are up for the challenge, I am ready to assist!
Do you feel like you’re trapped in patterns that once helped you cope but now keep you stuck? Are you moving through grief? Maybe you are numbing out, engaging in compulsive behaviors, substances, or habits that used to get you through tough moments—but now leave you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or even depressed.
These patterns can be hard to break, and facing them alone can feel exhausting. Together, we can explore what’s beneath these patterns, uncover the emotions and experiences that keep them going, and gently work toward new ways of coping that bring you relief and hope.
Do you feel like you’re trapped in patterns that once helped you cope but now keep you stuck? Are you moving through grief? Maybe you are numbing out, engaging in compulsive behaviors, substances, or habits that used to get you through tough moments—but now leave you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or even depressed.
These patterns can be hard to break, and facing them alone can feel exhausting. Together, we can explore what’s beneath these patterns, uncover the emotions and experiences that keep them going, and gently work toward new ways of coping that bring you relief and hope.
I have been inspired by writing from various perspectives - psychoanalytic, existential-humanistic, neuroscience, and attachment - which provide alternatives for approaching the therapy conversation most helpfully.
I am accepting in-office clients only at this time, though I use telehealth when necessary. I work most often with people struggling with the course of their life: its direction, its quality, or their traveling companions. You may arrive at therapy when the problems of living have become too painful, scattered, depressing, frightening, or paralyzing to bear. Reaching an emotional breaking point isn't necessary to seek therapy, however: instead, you may be frustrated at not having "figured out" how to build a rich life that includes satisfying relationships and work that doesn't demean them.
I have been inspired by writing from various perspectives - psychoanalytic, existential-humanistic, neuroscience, and attachment - which provide alternatives for approaching the therapy conversation most helpfully.
I am accepting in-office clients only at this time, though I use telehealth when necessary. I work most often with people struggling with the course of their life: its direction, its quality, or their traveling companions. You may arrive at therapy when the problems of living have become too painful, scattered, depressing, frightening, or paralyzing to bear. Reaching an emotional breaking point isn't necessary to seek therapy, however: instead, you may be frustrated at not having "figured out" how to build a rich life that includes satisfying relationships and work that doesn't demean them.
I did my psychoanalytic training at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute and graduated in 2006.
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 did my psychoanalytic training at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute and graduated in 2006.
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.
Having Problems? Are You Stressed? Are You Misunderstood? Assess clients who have unresolved conflict. I see clients when: It is time to seek my assistance when your professional life is challenge. It is time to seek my assistance when you the parent(s) seeking help for your adolescent youth faced with conduct and/or academic challenges. It is time to seek my assistance when you are faced with finding yourself and you are seeking a path to enlightenment so a healing and/or realignment of the mind, body and spirit to include the soul can occur through power of sounds found in the Lotus Sutra NAM-MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO-cause and effect.
Having Problems? Are You Stressed? Are You Misunderstood? Assess clients who have unresolved conflict. I see clients when: It is time to seek my assistance when your professional life is challenge. It is time to seek my assistance when you the parent(s) seeking help for your adolescent youth faced with conduct and/or academic challenges. It is time to seek my assistance when you are faced with finding yourself and you are seeking a path to enlightenment so a healing and/or realignment of the mind, body and spirit to include the soul can occur through power of sounds found in the Lotus Sutra NAM-MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO-cause and effect.
Healing happens through experience, and having a consistent, non-judgmental ear can help you see things in a new light. Together we may talk, move, create and explore your feelings. I will guide you through your depths so that you can reconnect to the source, get to know yourself, and come to terms with the past. Maybe you've hit a wall with talk therapy. Perhaps you want to be more present, bolster your own practice, or stop engaging in patterns that cause you pain. I approach you as a human being and help you grow into a fuller version of yourself.
Healing happens through experience, and having a consistent, non-judgmental ear can help you see things in a new light. Together we may talk, move, create and explore your feelings. I will guide you through your depths so that you can reconnect to the source, get to know yourself, and come to terms with the past. Maybe you've hit a wall with talk therapy. Perhaps you want to be more present, bolster your own practice, or stop engaging in patterns that cause you pain. I approach you as a human being and help you grow into a fuller version of yourself.
Maureen A O'Donnell
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, Jungian, Analyst
Portland, OR 97212
Waitlist for new clients
This psychoanalytic approach combines mind, body, and spirit.
I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, the aftereffects of trauma, and life-transitions. If you are feeling hopelessness, despair, anger, or lack motivation, you are probably suffering from depression. Excessive worry and fears are signs of anxiety. Symptoms of trauma can include: panic attacks, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, anger, depression, and dissociation.
This psychoanalytic approach combines mind, body, and spirit.
I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, the aftereffects of trauma, and life-transitions. If you are feeling hopelessness, despair, anger, or lack motivation, you are probably suffering from depression. Excessive worry and fears are signs of anxiety. Symptoms of trauma can include: panic attacks, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, anger, depression, and dissociation.
Are you are feeling like you want something more than just talk therapy? Find yourself stuck in your head and thoughts? Are you looking for a deeper understanding of what your body is telling you? Do you want to learn how to respond with care to your body and mind? hoping for relief from anxiety by getting to the root cause-not just managing symptoms? Or maybe even looking for greater emotional resilience and nervous system attunement? Working with me can provide you with practical tools and perspective that help you listen inward, become more embodied or more authentic and intentional and healthy boundaries.
Are you are feeling like you want something more than just talk therapy? Find yourself stuck in your head and thoughts? Are you looking for a deeper understanding of what your body is telling you? Do you want to learn how to respond with care to your body and mind? hoping for relief from anxiety by getting to the root cause-not just managing symptoms? Or maybe even looking for greater emotional resilience and nervous system attunement? Working with me can provide you with practical tools and perspective that help you listen inward, become more embodied or more authentic and intentional and healthy boundaries.
I specialize working with individuals experiencing a broad range of issues, including ADHD, trauma, CPTSD, self-esteem, life transitions, mood disorders, and more. My ideal client has a desire to know themselves on a deeper level, and is curious and open to their own experience. I am aware that people show up in their own unique way, and I want to offer a space that is open and accepting to each person I see.
I specialize working with individuals experiencing a broad range of issues, including ADHD, trauma, CPTSD, self-esteem, life transitions, mood disorders, and more. My ideal client has a desire to know themselves on a deeper level, and is curious and open to their own experience. I am aware that people show up in their own unique way, and I want to offer a space that is open and accepting to each person I see.
See more therapy options for Portland
Nearby Psychoanalytic Therapists Searches for Portland
- Beaverton
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- Lake Oswego
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- Oregon City
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Psychoanalytic Therapists
Does psychoanalytic therapy work?
Psychoanalytic therapy derives from the work of Sigmund Freud. In this type of therapy, discovering buried thoughts and emotions from the unconscious will help a person work through their difficulties and negative behaviors. Research shows that psychoanalytic therapy can be highly effective, with patients reporting improvement in mood, quality of life, and overall well-being.
How long are people typically in psychoanalytic therapy?
Traditional psychoanalysis is in-depth and is conducted in five sessions every week. Today, modern psychoanalytic therapy is less intense and normally incorporates as few as one or two sessions a week. In some cases, positive change can occur quickly. However, if the condition, difficulty, or behavior is deep-seated, improvement may require many months or years of therapy.
Is psychoanalytic therapy suitable for young people?
Children and adolescents can benefit from this type of therapy. Many kids and teens are often unable to form and communicate their thoughts and emotions. Psychoanalytic therapy uses specific techniques such as dream analysis, symbolism, and free association or word association; all of which can be useful tools for less-communicative young people. Through this therapy, a patient will hopefully make connections between what they feel inside and how the world works outside.
Can psychoanalytic therapy be done online?
Modern-day psychoanalytic therapy is very different from traditional psychoanalysis. While an individual can sit face-to-face with the psychoanalyst for multiple sessions a week, they do not have to. Today, psychoanalytic therapy can be effectively conducted online or by phone. The key is that the individual confronts what is repressed and avoided, and this can be done whether in person or over online video.