Trauma Focused Therapists in Portland, OR

You're motivated to make a change. You may be confused about where to start, or if the change is even possible. You're seeking support as you transition through a difficult moment in life. Or perhaps, you've already made the difficult transition and you can't figure out how to return to "normal". I specialize in helping people overcome anxiety, improve self esteem and decrease symptoms of depression, process simple and complex trauma, and to change their thoughts and feelings in order to live a more happy and fulfilled life. You want to come to therapy because you want to live a more fulfilled life.

As a therapist, my approach is grounded in empathy, compassion, and person-centered counseling. I don’t believe that therapy is a “one size fits all,” and I utilize a variety of methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Attachment Theory to provide an approach that will fit your individual needs.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of individual and family work. When working with children, I believe in the power of play, art, and connection to build relationships and skill-build along with process challenging life events. I support families with increasing communication, building compassion and connection while honoring families’ inherent strengths and background. During individual therapy with adults, our work will be geared towards finding balance in navigating the unknown and building coping tools. In all aspects of my work I am committed to working from an anti-oppressive and affirming lens.

Therapy is something that should make room for you to be you, not just in the session, but in its outcome. People are constantly bombarded with competing pressures to be, think, and/or act a certain way in multiple settings, all while having the pressure of what the future could be put on them. I believe that therapy should be a safe space to explore all of the issues that may exist everywhere in our lives where good intentions are assumed in a caring, kind, and in an emotionally safe environment. Come as you are, and bring your humor. I will let you all know that I will challenge you and give homework from time to time.

Are you frustrated that you can't "snap out of it" when you feel depressed, anxious, or making the same mistakes over and over again? Maybe you have felt stuck for a long time, wondering what's wrong with you that you can't find your way out. But all of us of us get lost in our suffering sometimes, because when you're in the middle of it, it's hard to see the way through. I offer the outside perspective and collaboration you need to get unstuck, to help you find your way back to a full and satisfying life.

Do you want to understand yourself better and get to the root of your issues? Working together we will explore your unconscious psyche, find new skills and adaptive ways to cope, and make sense of your internal world and the world around you. My therapeutic approach is individualized for each new client and pulls from my extensive training in: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

I am a clinical psychologist licensed at the doctoral level in Oregon. I specialize in providing the most up to date interventions supported by research. My approach to psychotherapy is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to your needs. I consider therapy a collaborative process and would love to work with you to create meaningful and lasting changes. While I am a generalist, I have particular expertise in the areas of trauma/PTSD, women's mental health/gender equity concerns, substance use, anxiety, depression, and OCD. I am committed to anti-racist practice, women's empowerment, and welcome clients from all backgrounds.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, I have multiple tools to help as I work alongside my clients and their families to alleviate symptoms, achieve goals and attain balance. Although a specific interest in Art Therapy is not necessary to begin services with me, I find that Art Therapy provides a creative approach that is not reliant on spoken language. I have experience providing a variety of treatment approaches to clients and families, and am specially trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art Therapy and Collaborative Problem Solving modalities.

I work with children (0-18) and families who are trying to navigate the unexpected and hard to discuss challenges that life throws at you. My treatment approach focuses on helping children better understand their experiences, current circumstances, and what is to come while also nurturing their attachment relationship(s) to their caregiver(s). Through this relational process we will work together collaboratively to identify areas for growth and gain tools necessary for success. My specialties include working with families impacted by intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), chronic illness, trauma, anxiety, and grief.

“The wound is the place where the light enters you” – Rumi. Life stressors can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even hopelessness. If you are feeling any of these, know that you are not alone. I trust in the power of therapy to re-examine stressful situations in a therapeutic environment. I am passionate about working with children, families, individuals, and couples to help identify barriers and dysfunctions; and to help facilitate positive changes to reinstate normal functions.

If you would like support while addressing: current stressors, pains, trauma, struggles, transitions, communication needs, healing from relationships, or identity I can help guide you within your own journey to ease these feelings for you and develop fulfilling coping skills. I am also supportive of incorporating your partner or your family to aid in healing, communication and healthier dynamics. I am client centered and focus on what you would like your journey in therapy to look and feel like. I am attachment theory and trauma focused in my modalities.

I work with those who have had the odds stacked against them, those who have experienced abuse, lack of acceptance and discrimination. Whether that has been complex trauma, systemic oppression, racial, generational, or religious trauma. I can relate to the experiences of marginalized people with real lived experience. I provide a space that is judgement free, compassionate, and honest where we co-create a path forward. I will be there walking alongside you every step of the way, in your corner, as we figure out this path together.

Therapy is different for everyone but across the board I offer a compassionate and collaborative experience; together we will diligently work toward your own specific goals, needs, and healing. Most of my clients are looking to improve the health of their relationships, learn how to properly set boundaries, address a trauma history that is negatively affecting their daily life, or more generally address symptoms of anxiety and depression as a whole.

I am available for new clients, individually or family sessions. I am also taking clients for a teen DBT skills group (ages 12-18 if still in high school). I see our work together as a team that balances putting in the hard work while understanding you have to have some laughs along the way! Above all modalities, the therapeutic relationship is what I value most in our work together. I primarily use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Art Therapy. Despite my degree in art therapy, my dual license allows me to provide more traditional talk therapy, too.

I work with clients whose PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addictions were caused by relational trauma. This kind of trauma occurs when the actions of another violate the trust on which a relationship was built. The experience of profound and unexpected betrayal (as children or adults) can be deeply traumatic and cause lasting changes in the areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotion, thought, and memory.

Seeking support takes enormous courage. My approach is a balance of candidness and tenderness to meet your needs. I welcome feedback throughout our work to ensure we are on the right track and will continue to check in to support you in the best way possible. I use a trauma-focused lens- incorporating biological, social and psychological perspectives. Trauma modalities I incorporate, when appropriate, are Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Attachment Focused Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and mind-body medicine approaches.

PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT TAKING NEW INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MY GROUPS LISTED BELOW. I am a Licensed Art Therapist (LAT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) offering individual, group, and family art therapy and counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults. I have over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and love to work creatively with people to address issues in a new and different way. I am trained in both art therapy and general counseling so I can use any combination depending on your preference and what will best fit your needs.

Therapy, Altered best supports BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, families, and groups who are healing from abuse, neglect, or psychological trauma, including racial/systemic oppression. Our clients know that hope is out there, and that they have the ability to heal and feel better. Most of our clients hold multiple marginalized identities while managing complex mental health challenges. Our clients come to us seeking culturally relevant services and authentic relationship with clinicians who share some of their lived experience.

Are you experiencing challenges with depression, stress, anxiety, racial discrimination/racial trauma, relationship issues, parenting concerns, or family conflict? Do you find it difficult to engage fully with others because of these concerns? Are they impacting your daily life and overall well-being? Are you seeking support and empowerment to create a change? Are you looking for cultural sensitive services? Do you need help identifying/ prioritizing what you’re experiencing within this very moment? If you answered YES! to any of the above questions then you’ve come to the right place!