Therapists in Salem, OR

Are you depressed, anxious or stressed? Depression, stress, anxiety and relationship problems are the focus of my practice. If you are struggling to make your life work or in a life transition involving your relationship, family or career, I will work with you to improve the quality of your life and to achieve your goals.

I am Marcie Walker, the Hope Whisperer, who is accepting new clients! In a safe, warm, and supportive environment, I will honor the words you share with me, and travel your journey with you. I have personal experience in therapeutic work with adults and families, as well as working with students at these grade levels: Middle, high, and college ages. I have 23 years experience working with the special needs population. Preventing bullying is my passion, so it is no wonder that, for the past twenty years as staff and student, I have advocated for many who were bullied and treated unfairly.

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” I see my life as a mission to help others see themselves in their original beauty, to learn the truth about who they are so they can be set free, to assist them in opening to their own unique destiny, and to work through beliefs and behaviors that keep them trapped in old ways of being. This is work I have had to do on myself, and still continue to do. I believe in using a holistic approach, which addresses every level of our being - the body, emotions, mind, and spirit.

You already possess the ability to reach your full potential. My job as your therapist is to listen, walk alongside you, and help you move toward this potential. People seek therapy because they desire happiness. Let's begin by discovering what happiness looks like for you. Do you feel unheard, dismissed and over-ridden by a parent or partner even though you are an adult? Do you feel as though attempting to set new boundaries for yourself is next to impossible because important others will simply disregard them? Therapy can help you learn to fully validate within yourself what it is you feel and believe, and what it is you consider to be important. Peace, authenticity, and balance are springboards to happiness. My goal is to offer you individualized help in overcoming the obstacles that are blocking that happiness. Taking a step, reaching out for some help, will lead you to the change and growth you are hoping for. And whether you are seeking thriving relationships or simply greater contentment, I will help you tap into your own innate strengths to bring about a fuller, happier life.

There is no one else in the world quite like you. That goes for your sexuality and gender too! Whether you’re just beginning to explore these aspects of your identity or you’ve been on this journey for quite some time, you deserve a counselor who “gets you” and can help you achieve greater pleasure and feel more confident in your own skin. I work with couples who are wanting to infuse more passion into their relationship, partners who are exploring consensual non-monogamy, and more.

The majority of my professional practice involves diagnostic evaluations and neuropsychological testing. The types of issues that I regularly address include brain injury, seizure disorders, dementia, mood disorders, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Due to my experience with a wide variety of clients, I am often asked to provide a diagnosis as well as recommendations for ongoing treatment. When I see an individual for therapy, it is usually related to their adjustment to a disability and ongoing therapeutic guidance.

Trauma is a highly complex and personal experience. Everyone's experience and definition of trauma is different. Among both professionals and clients, it is often incredibly misunderstood. It affects us across physical, social, emotional, and spiritual bounds. It compromises our ability to process sensory input and renders us incapable of communicating at times. Traumatic experiences can make us feel "small" and incompetent, incapable of managing basic tasks at times, or we may even develop intermittent or chronic pain.

No one makes it through life without picking up stuff that weighs us down or holds us back. Counseling gives us the chance to examine why we're carrying this stuff around and how to let go of it. By using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy along with a mixture of therapeutic styles, you and I will work together to uncover the thoughts and beliefs that drive your emotions and behaviors so that you can move forward in your life with confidence. I work with adults of all ages and with any level of mental health goals or concerns.

There are periods in life when it is difficult to see a way forward. If you are here, my guess is that you're struggling--you may be grieving a loss or struggling to accept difficult life changes. Or maybe you've been feeling stressed out and lost for a long time and aren't sure where to turn. Whatever the circumstances, it is my deep desire to see you rediscover happiness and purpose-- I wholeheartedly believe that counseling can help you get there. In the midst of darkness and chaos, it can be hard to see the road ahead. In therapy, I will journey beside you as you find your path and support you in building the courage to walk it.

From personal experience, I know how hard navigating the ups and downs of modern life can be. Debilitating thoughts like, “I’m not enough,” become barriers to progression. This brand of negative self-talk often leaves one feeling stuck and using whatever means necessary to alleviate the pain. I work from a philosophy that all emotions are “good” emotions. Like positive emotions, hard emotions give you insight into who you are and what's important to you. I believe the answers to creating a life worth living reside inside each one of us. My job is to help you uncover your unique ability to manage the challenges life throws your way.