Self Esteem Therapists in Portland, OR
You are feeling in a panic, overwhelmed and boxed in, things were mostly ok, getting by, doing what you do and then all of a sudden you were stuck inside longer than felt ok, you were startled, had a break up and alone at home. Now this rush of other memories, the feeling of being small and not safe are coming up, things " that you thought had been “talked through” enough are resurfacing. “Not cool body!” The idea of staying in this feels daunting, so does years of therapy, for folks experiencing this, Therapy intensives may be what you have wanted but didn’t know was an option (2 hrs, 3 days a week for a shorter amount of time).
You are feeling in a panic, overwhelmed and boxed in, things were mostly ok, getting by, doing what you do and then all of a sudden you were stuck inside longer than felt ok, you were startled, had a break up and alone at home. Now this rush of other memories, the feeling of being small and not safe are coming up, things " that you thought had been “talked through” enough are resurfacing. “Not cool body!” The idea of staying in this feels daunting, so does years of therapy, for folks experiencing this, Therapy intensives may be what you have wanted but didn’t know was an option (2 hrs, 3 days a week for a shorter amount of time).
I work with individuals and couples who find themselves trapped in patterns of emotion and behavior that keep them from moving forward in their lives and relationships. I don't think of problems as illnesses, but as learned ways of navigating the world that no longer work; almost every problem started out as a solution. Problems are solved by deeply confronting and changing the emotional learnings that make them seem inevitable. Change comes when people are able to unlearn old patterns and replace them with new ones. Transformative change uses the mind’s natural capacity to adapt and heal.
I work with individuals and couples who find themselves trapped in patterns of emotion and behavior that keep them from moving forward in their lives and relationships. I don't think of problems as illnesses, but as learned ways of navigating the world that no longer work; almost every problem started out as a solution. Problems are solved by deeply confronting and changing the emotional learnings that make them seem inevitable. Change comes when people are able to unlearn old patterns and replace them with new ones. Transformative change uses the mind’s natural capacity to adapt and heal.
My private practice is focused on helping people curious about and/or practicing consensual/ethical non-monogamy, solo poly, relationship anarchy, and any alternative relationship style. I am BDSM/kink-aware and LGBTQIA+ friendly.
My private practice is focused on helping people curious about and/or practicing consensual/ethical non-monogamy, solo poly, relationship anarchy, and any alternative relationship style. I am BDSM/kink-aware and LGBTQIA+ friendly.
I specialize in relationship issues of all kinds, trauma in both childhood and adulthood, and self-esteem issues.
My ideal client knows something isn’t working, even if they can’t name it. They may feel anxious, numb, overwhelmed, stuck in patterns, or burdened by trauma, addiction, grief, or shame. Many carry pain from early relationships that still affects their lives. What matters most is a willingness to show up and go deep. Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and emotionally rich. I work best with people ready to explore discomfort, face what’s been avoided, and commit to real, lasting change. Consistency and depth are core to meaningful change and self-understanding. As such, I typically meet with clients 1-3x weekly.
I specialize in relationship issues of all kinds, trauma in both childhood and adulthood, and self-esteem issues.
My ideal client knows something isn’t working, even if they can’t name it. They may feel anxious, numb, overwhelmed, stuck in patterns, or burdened by trauma, addiction, grief, or shame. Many carry pain from early relationships that still affects their lives. What matters most is a willingness to show up and go deep. Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and emotionally rich. I work best with people ready to explore discomfort, face what’s been avoided, and commit to real, lasting change. Consistency and depth are core to meaningful change and self-understanding. As such, I typically meet with clients 1-3x weekly.
I believe there are many paths to healing and change, but all of us sometimes get stuck or could use help with life's challenges. I will meet you where you are in a non-judgmental and supportive way to explore what brings you to therapy and what changes you hope to achieve. My goal is to support you in achieving lasting positive change.
I believe there are many paths to healing and change, but all of us sometimes get stuck or could use help with life's challenges. I will meet you where you are in a non-judgmental and supportive way to explore what brings you to therapy and what changes you hope to achieve. My goal is to support you in achieving lasting positive change.
In the past 28 years of personal and professional development, I have created a unique approach to bring hope and strength, healing and transformation to my clients. It is my honor and joy to provide and hold a safe space as we work on healing relationship with self, others and the world. Other key components to healing are acceptance, trust, forgiveness and gratitude. Our time together is precious and I will share with you mindful and heartfelt practices to wholeness, authenticity, and presence.
In the past 28 years of personal and professional development, I have created a unique approach to bring hope and strength, healing and transformation to my clients. It is my honor and joy to provide and hold a safe space as we work on healing relationship with self, others and the world. Other key components to healing are acceptance, trust, forgiveness and gratitude. Our time together is precious and I will share with you mindful and heartfelt practices to wholeness, authenticity, and presence.
I specialize in helping individuals struggling with body image, self-esteem, and relationship issues.
As a provider, I am enthusiastic about creating a welcoming, validating, and collaborative space. Together we'll process what you're going through, draw on your strengths, and explore where things have gotten stuck. We'll gain insight, skills, and meaningful clarity for your next steps. I can't wait to come alongside you on your brave, healing journey!
I specialize in helping individuals struggling with body image, self-esteem, and relationship issues.
As a provider, I am enthusiastic about creating a welcoming, validating, and collaborative space. Together we'll process what you're going through, draw on your strengths, and explore where things have gotten stuck. We'll gain insight, skills, and meaningful clarity for your next steps. I can't wait to come alongside you on your brave, healing journey!
I would love to support you in building self-awareness, cultivating self-compassion, and connecting with your own inherent wisdom. Together, we’ll uncover what’s blocking you and causing feelings of being stuck or disconnected. In a world shaped by diet culture, fatphobia, social media, societal expectations, and more, it’s easy to feel like parts of ourselves fragment, and we can lose touch with our bodies and sense of self. I specialize in helping people reconnect with their thoughts, bodies, and inner wisdom. You’ll learn to shift harmful patterns of thinking and self-talk, approaching yourself with kindness and curiosity.
I would love to support you in building self-awareness, cultivating self-compassion, and connecting with your own inherent wisdom. Together, we’ll uncover what’s blocking you and causing feelings of being stuck or disconnected. In a world shaped by diet culture, fatphobia, social media, societal expectations, and more, it’s easy to feel like parts of ourselves fragment, and we can lose touch with our bodies and sense of self. I specialize in helping people reconnect with their thoughts, bodies, and inner wisdom. You’ll learn to shift harmful patterns of thinking and self-talk, approaching yourself with kindness and curiosity.
I really enjoy working with individuals around issues of trauma, grief, self-esteem, personal growth, spirituality, life transitions, relational dynamics, communication, sexual difficulties, and societal oppression/equity.
I'm interested in you as whole person: mind, body and spirit. I know it takes courage to reveal ourselves so I hold space for all aspects of you with deep compassion. As a therapist I respect both your strength and vulnerability, offering a safe, nonjudgmental environment to express your truth, explore, and heal.
I really enjoy working with individuals around issues of trauma, grief, self-esteem, personal growth, spirituality, life transitions, relational dynamics, communication, sexual difficulties, and societal oppression/equity.
I'm interested in you as whole person: mind, body and spirit. I know it takes courage to reveal ourselves so I hold space for all aspects of you with deep compassion. As a therapist I respect both your strength and vulnerability, offering a safe, nonjudgmental environment to express your truth, explore, and heal.
I offer culturally responsive, neurodivergent-affirming care for adults navigating trauma, racial identity stress, codependency, and self-esteem challenges.
In our work together, I’ll support you in slowing down and tuning inward. We may sit with hard questions, gently untangle patterns, and notice what emerges beneath the surface. At times, this can feel uncomfortable, and together we can hold that discomfort as it becomes part of making space for something new.
I offer culturally responsive, neurodivergent-affirming care for adults navigating trauma, racial identity stress, codependency, and self-esteem challenges.
In our work together, I’ll support you in slowing down and tuning inward. We may sit with hard questions, gently untangle patterns, and notice what emerges beneath the surface. At times, this can feel uncomfortable, and together we can hold that discomfort as it becomes part of making space for something new.
Please see the website to the right for more practice description details.
Are you sensitive, sad or anxious? Dealing with pain or other persistent emotional or physical symptoms? Are there questions in your relationships? Struggles with problem thought or behavior patterns? Distress from memories or a felt sense of childhood neglect, or other personal, generational &/or systemic trauma? My education, training and work have given me detailed perspectives about such concerns that trouble people - and the underlying wounds, challenges and complicated feelings that come up when dealing with them.
Please see the website to the right for more practice description details.
Are you sensitive, sad or anxious? Dealing with pain or other persistent emotional or physical symptoms? Are there questions in your relationships? Struggles with problem thought or behavior patterns? Distress from memories or a felt sense of childhood neglect, or other personal, generational &/or systemic trauma? My education, training and work have given me detailed perspectives about such concerns that trouble people - and the underlying wounds, challenges and complicated feelings that come up when dealing with them.
Often, people come to therapy because something no longer feels sustainable. You may find yourself caught in familiar patterns, struggling in your relationships, or carrying emotions that are difficult to understand or change. Therapy offers a space to slow down, approach these experiences with curiosity and compassion, and better understand how your past and present shape the way you move through the world.
Often, people come to therapy because something no longer feels sustainable. You may find yourself caught in familiar patterns, struggling in your relationships, or carrying emotions that are difficult to understand or change. Therapy offers a space to slow down, approach these experiences with curiosity and compassion, and better understand how your past and present shape the way you move through the world.
Accepting New Clients!
You may be here because something in your life or relationships no longer feels sustainable. Perhaps you're feeling stuck in old patterns, longing for deeper connection, navigating a major transition, or wanting to understand yourself more fully. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, connected, and aligned with who you are.
Accepting New Clients!
You may be here because something in your life or relationships no longer feels sustainable. Perhaps you're feeling stuck in old patterns, longing for deeper connection, navigating a major transition, or wanting to understand yourself more fully. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, connected, and aligned with who you are.
Experiencing harm from caregivers, family of origin, or partners can wound us deeply. The painful memories continue to overshadow your daily life. You find yourself in similar relationships, making yourself small in order to get some semblance of love or safety. You spend so much energy anticipating and attending to others’ emotions and needs, that yours are overlooked. You feel like you have abandoned yourself. Whether you are recovering from an unhealthy or abusive relationship, or seeking to more fully embody your lived gender, you’re ready to work with a specialist who can help you heal and embrace your full, authentic self.
Experiencing harm from caregivers, family of origin, or partners can wound us deeply. The painful memories continue to overshadow your daily life. You find yourself in similar relationships, making yourself small in order to get some semblance of love or safety. You spend so much energy anticipating and attending to others’ emotions and needs, that yours are overlooked. You feel like you have abandoned yourself. Whether you are recovering from an unhealthy or abusive relationship, or seeking to more fully embody your lived gender, you’re ready to work with a specialist who can help you heal and embrace your full, authentic self.
Is there a general sense of tension and unease that permeates your day-to-day life? Do you struggle with honoring your own needs and setting healthy boundaries? Maybe you’re feeling stuck or frozen. Is it scary and difficult to connect with others? Do you never feel quite good enough?
Is there a general sense of tension and unease that permeates your day-to-day life? Do you struggle with honoring your own needs and setting healthy boundaries? Maybe you’re feeling stuck or frozen. Is it scary and difficult to connect with others? Do you never feel quite good enough?
You are a passionate, soulful individual who was meant for so much more than late night anxiety spirals and feeling trapped. You might find it hard to find your spark after painful experiences, but I know you've got it, buried there underneath those protective coping mechanisms you so skillfully developed to just get you through the day. You are inherently creative, curious, and engaging, and those parts of you long to feel safe enough to express themselves again. If you're looking to feel alive and radiant after experiences that knocked you out of balance, you've come to the right place.
You are a passionate, soulful individual who was meant for so much more than late night anxiety spirals and feeling trapped. You might find it hard to find your spark after painful experiences, but I know you've got it, buried there underneath those protective coping mechanisms you so skillfully developed to just get you through the day. You are inherently creative, curious, and engaging, and those parts of you long to feel safe enough to express themselves again. If you're looking to feel alive and radiant after experiences that knocked you out of balance, you've come to the right place.
Do you struggle with anxiety? Living in the “what-if’s” regarding your health, relationships, or future? Do you use substances or engage in behaviors in a way you know isn’t healthy or that is causing you problems? Do you want black-and-white answers in a world of uncertainty? Like you, I've been there. It's not a very comfortable way to live. If you're tired of managing panic attacks, constant worry, or trying to block out life in unhealthy ways, I would like to meet you!
Do you struggle with anxiety? Living in the “what-if’s” regarding your health, relationships, or future? Do you use substances or engage in behaviors in a way you know isn’t healthy or that is causing you problems? Do you want black-and-white answers in a world of uncertainty? Like you, I've been there. It's not a very comfortable way to live. If you're tired of managing panic attacks, constant worry, or trying to block out life in unhealthy ways, I would like to meet you!
Working with clients to find grounding and direction as they adjust to transitions, heal trauma, form a healthy personal identity, and overcome shame so that they can step into life with genuine presence is one of my greatest joys. Often, I find change is about slowing down and tuning in rather than making huge external shifts.
I view therapy as a collaborative effort and want to help my clients to recognize their strengths, identify needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, and make informed choices in a warm and non-judgmental space through empathy and curiosity.
Working with clients to find grounding and direction as they adjust to transitions, heal trauma, form a healthy personal identity, and overcome shame so that they can step into life with genuine presence is one of my greatest joys. Often, I find change is about slowing down and tuning in rather than making huge external shifts.
I view therapy as a collaborative effort and want to help my clients to recognize their strengths, identify needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, and make informed choices in a warm and non-judgmental space through empathy and curiosity.
Rachael Allen
Professional Counselor Associate
1 Endorsed
Portland, OR 97215
Waitlist for new clients
I work with people who feel stuck in the same old patterns—whether in life, relationships, or the way you see yourself. These patterns often come from ways you learned to cope with past challenges. They may have helped you once, but now they can feel like they’re holding you back.
I believe every day is a chance to start fresh, to gently rewrite those old patterns, and to reconnect with a sense of meaning and joy. Together, we’ll explore new perspectives, tools, and skills to help you create the life you want.
I work with people who feel stuck in the same old patterns—whether in life, relationships, or the way you see yourself. These patterns often come from ways you learned to cope with past challenges. They may have helped you once, but now they can feel like they’re holding you back.
I believe every day is a chance to start fresh, to gently rewrite those old patterns, and to reconnect with a sense of meaning and joy. Together, we’ll explore new perspectives, tools, and skills to help you create the life you want.
Together, we will release self-doubt, expand self-confidence, dismantle shame, and set healthy boundaries to create a life you love.
You may be highly self-critical, finding yourself stuck in patterns of people-pleasing or perfectionism. Growing up, you may have felt pressured to live up to the expectations of family, friends, and society. Your emotions may have been labeled “too much,” causing you to suppress your sensitivity. How would it feel to know that you don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers? How would it feel to know that in this moment, you are exactly who you are meant to be?
Together, we will release self-doubt, expand self-confidence, dismantle shame, and set healthy boundaries to create a life you love.
You may be highly self-critical, finding yourself stuck in patterns of people-pleasing or perfectionism. Growing up, you may have felt pressured to live up to the expectations of family, friends, and society. Your emotions may have been labeled “too much,” causing you to suppress your sensitivity. How would it feel to know that you don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers? How would it feel to know that in this moment, you are exactly who you are meant to be?
See more therapy options for Portland
Nearby Self Esteem Therapists Searches for Portland
- Aloha
- Beaverton
- Boring
- Clackamas
- Damascus
- Gladstone
- Happy Valley
- Lake Oswego
- Milwaukie
- Oak Grove
- Tigard
- West Linn
Self Esteem Therapists
When should a person seek therapy for low self-esteem?
When self-esteem problems begin to disrupt the healthy daily functioning of an individual, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If a person finds that they are not engaging with friends for fear of being judged, not completing work assignments because they don’t think they’re capable, or not finding romantic love because they don’t feel they’re worthy of it, a therapist may be able to help.
What are the signs of low self-esteem?
Low self-esteem is a common issue that can affect a person's mental and emotional well-being. Some common signs of low self-esteem include negative self-talk, perfectionism, social anxiety, difficulty making decisions, an inability to set boundaries, people-pleasing, and others. A lack of belief in oneself or one’s abilities and a feeling of not being worthy or deserving underlie most of these characteristics.
What causes low self-esteem?
Feelings of low self-worth can begin in childhood or adulthood. Being raised by a highly critical parent or growing up feeling constant disapproval can stay with a person well into adulthood. Specific issues in adulthood may also be a cause of low self-esteem. An unhappy relationship, a dysfunctional work or school experience can impact a person’s feelings of self-worth.
How can therapy improve self-esteem?
Therapists can help identify negative thought patterns that keep the client stuck in a loop of destructive self-talk and develop coping skills to change the voice in their head. A therapist can help with goal-setting, so that clients are better able to stay on task and build confidence from successfully completing work they’re proud of. Coaching a client on how to better communicate can improve relationships. These skills can result in someone with low self-esteem feeling empowered and living with less fear.