Therapists in Portland, OR

Waitlist for new clients! I believe that therapy is an opportunity to build understanding and self-compassion in the areas of your life that present challenge and develop confidence and clarity in managing those challenges. My approach to therapy is humanistic, strengths-based and trauma and culturally informed. I utilize evidence-based, attachment-focused, psychodynamic and somatic approaches to support and collaborate with clients in recognizing their own resiliency and innate capacity to heal. I value authenticity, humor and ease within the therapeutic relationship and the opportunity to support you in your journey to healing.

Relationships are the fundamental building blocks of human experience. We are shaped by and devote many resources to them, and they can be sources of inspiration, support, and consistent love. They can also be harmful and even dangerous, especially when an individual's relationship templates have began as dysfunctional in their families of origin. Many of my clients have been or currently are in relationships with narcissistic/disordered partners, family members, or bosses, or were/are members of high-control groups. Healing is possible after these relationships, and there is hope for choosing healthier people to love.

I see individuals, couples and families who are seeking support for things they feel are not going well in their lives. From the Family Systems perspective, any number of issues can be looked at together. My work is centered around interpersonal relationships and how we interact with each other, our selves and our communities. Relationship dynamics are constantly in and out of balance. Managing these relationships is key in helping develop healthy ways of dealing with life issues. The work we do together should feel helpful and focused on your goals.

If you are looking for confidential, professional and respectful counseling, you have come to the right place. If you have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship or family struggles... our group of qualified therapists will work with you on improving areas of your life so you gain control. Our goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. We will work with you to better understand and resolve challenges in your life and help you discover what may be holding you back from experiencing a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma make it so difficult to be present in your life. If you feel alternately numb, exhausted, or overwhelmed, I can help. Deepen your understanding of how your body holds stress and anxiety to learn new ways to respond. Addressing trauma and anxiety with body awareness helps to stop negative thoughts or a harsh inner narrative. We will use effective tools for processing overwhelming emotions in order to support you to feel grounded. With a foundation of self-trust and self-compassion, you are more effective and open to life. I work with couples and individuals.

I use an existential approach to work with anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, chronic stress and burnout, spirituality, grief and loss, and relationship challenges. My clients are typically struggling with change, relationships, making difficult choices, and finding meaning or purpose. Themes often involve freedom/constraint, responsibility, boundary, authenticity, meaning/meaninglessness, safety/risk, belonging/isolation, identity, power/powerlessness, and mortality.

All families experience transitions, and even positive change can cause stress. I employ an eclectic approach with a strong emphasis on attachment, structural, and solution-focused family therapies. I work with young children and their caregivers to form secure attachments early on. This leads to more effective communication and problem solving patterns and a higher level of resilience down the road. My work tends to be short term and builds on the existing strengths of your family. My work with couples is attachment informed as we look at past and current relationships to elucidate our most fulfilling ways of connecting.

It seems we often desire a sense of secure connection while also living in line with our authentic self. My therapeutic style is integrative and relational based, emphasizing mind-body work and self-compassion. My clients might experience: addiction, panic, worry, codependency, perfectionism, depression, impulsivity, interpersonal conflict, avoidance, attachment wounds, people pleasing, shame, trauma, loneliness, trouble relaxing, life adjustments, limiting core beliefs, mood swings. Client needs/goals might include: attunement, decreasing stress, learning to ground mindfully, building insight, coping and communication skills.

Are you struggling with anxiety, OCD, mood or relationship issues? Going through a major life transition like changing careers, divorce, or other loss? Do you have disturbing thoughts or compulsions related to OCD or other fears ? Have you lost a loved one or dealing with relationship issues. Hope and change are possible regardless of your struggle. Having someone listen and challenge you to look inside can help build new insight to cope with life's challenges. I am here to work with you on that path, building your ability to work through life's challenges

Are you tired of struggling to thrive in relationships with friends, family, and lovers? Are your emotions running your life? Interacting with others can be overwhelming when you have experienced trauma, grief, depression or anxiety. This can lead to coping through addictions or harmful behaviors. I believe we all have the capacity to change and that focusing on strengths can give clients a new outlook on life. Together, we can practice mindfulness, reflection, and positive coping skills. I collaborate with clients to build positive experiences in a caring therapeutic relationship through talking, playing (children), and art.

It's my privilege to work as a Mental Health Counselor. I offer a safe, non judgmental, place where people can explore their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. I have expertise addressing relationship conflicts, child/parent struggles, separation/divorce, substance abuse, and codependency issues. When we are suffering and in need of counseling we sometimes endure a great deal before we recognize there is a problem that needs to be addressed. If you find yourself struggling in any one of these areas call me to help you find the joy in everyday life.

A person considering counseling is already making the first step of trying to achieve, or return to, a healthier and happier equilibrium. I believe that “loosening up” and releasing the many things we hold, particularly unconsciously, allow us to activate that capacity and return to, or discover, a healthier state of being. Top-down, this would involve uncovering our various thought patterns, reactions, and story that we have about ourselves. Bottom-up, it involves noticing and feeling - the various ways our body is in relation to how we are mentally.

Let’s face it- deciding to seek therapy often feels pretty scary. It takes courage, and sometimes desperation, to walk into this unfamiliar relationship. Navigating life's losses and transitions is one of our most challenging tasks, and sometimes we need some help steering the boat. I enjoy working with individuals who are ready to explore their inner world of experience and outer world in relationship with others. That might mean help with various life transitions and losses, such as divorce or the death of a loved one. A former nurse, I also see many health care professionals, and can understand the unique challenges they face.

Trying to be a happy, healthy, creative human in today’s world requires new skills to face new challenges. Overwhelming anxiety, depression, and relationship instability are often products of our ancient nervous system struggling to adapt to an environment with new rules, new pressures, and old wounds. As a species we are subjected to increasing pressure to perform, produce, and project a life that is at once effortless and perfect. The reality is far from this however, and humans need support, love, and patience in the face of failure in order to thrive.

No matter how difficult the problem you are facing, there is a solution. My therapeutic approach is designed to help you gain awareness and understanding into whatever is troubling you and to assist you in developing the practical skills to handle these issues more effectively. I believe that within our problems lie the keys to further growth and development when they are unfolded with awareness. Together, we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to meet your desired goals in therapy.

You may be an adult who is empowered in some areas but stuck in others or you may be someone struggling to find meaning in your life. Who ever you are, you are the navigator of your life. Your personal narrative is front and center and you decide what isn't working. Together we will dis-empower the stories in your life that no longer serve you and craft the narrative that is most affirming of who you are or who you want to be.

I work with people who have struggled with domestic violence, trauma, abuse, relationship issues, PTSD, addiction, problematic drug or alcohol use, depression, shame, men's issues, and working with systems. I help people achieve the freedom and success that they desire.

Richard Nalbandian, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist as works with individuals located in OR and MA. Dr. Nalbandian has experience working with adults from various backgrounds on issues including anxiety, depression, grief, complex trauma, relationship struggles, family conflict, and personality troubles. He completed his internship and post-doctoral residency in Massachusetts as a fellow at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute at Boston University. Dr. Nalbandian has focused training in and provides psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families. His therapeutic style is collaborative and relational.

The therapeutic relationship is crucial to the healing process, whether the problem is with external relationships, traumatic experience, or one's relationship with the self. I use psychoanalytic principles and relational dynamics to explore the internal conflicts and patterns that are at the root of emotional, psychological and relational problems. I am also sensitive to spirituality and the existential problems inherent in being human, and how these affect us all. I have a special interest in the psychology of twins and intersubjective relating in general.