Therapists in Milwaukie, OR

I provide useful and in-depth psychotherapy in Oregon, California, New York, & Connecticut. People are in a constant developmental process, whereby symptoms are signs of ongoing struggles to sort through past experiences while organizing oneself in present living. Depression, anxiety, & personality traits are markers of this process. Therapy with me would seek to aid in your understanding of how & why you live the way you do, and hopefully lead to change. My hope is that we can find a way for you to live more fully and for problems to be comprehensively understood, formulated and articulated, and resolved in a sustained way.

Every patient has their own unique set of concerns, needs, and goals moving forward with thier lives, as well as having their own unique outlook based on their personal life experiences. As a multicultural and multifaceted counselor, I pride myself on the dignity, encouragement, and ongoing support for each of my client's needs, assuring that they feel heard with personally tailored objectives throughout treatment. Consistency in sessions, reflecting regularly, and setting achievable goals are key to effectively maintaining healthy mental hygiene.

Creating an environment for healing, resilience and growth. Therapy is not just a process that leads to functioning, but flourishing, as you become the person you were born to be. We believe in the power of your dreams!

My deepest professional aspiration is to enable others to discover their own motivations for change and to find within themselves the ability to take responsibility for their thought life and thus find the power to take actions and thereby make dramatic and transformative changes in their lives. In working with individuals, couples, and groups, my aim is to foster self-esteem, coping skills and encourage building positive and supportive relationships. I work with individual clients, couples, and lead weekly therapy groups. Deep lasting change that is already beginning iswithin your grasp. Reach out, I'd be honored to work with you.

My clients deal with so much speed and stress, navigating a life that feels increasingly unfulfilled. They feel stuck. They often seek solace in external solutions like too much work, toxic relationships, or substances, and find all these lacking. They face the challenge of pausing to understand and meet their internal needs, which feels paradoxical. How do you slow down when there's all this to do? This leads to more stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction with life. There is a way through all this.

It is common for human beings who experience trauma and life stressors to feel like their lives are unraveling. My passion is bringing healing to people who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience and also improve their lives. I enjoy working with adults of all ages. I am fluent in English and Portuguese. As a client-centered and trauma-informed therapist, I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative space and a vehicle for change.

***Currently available for in-person and Teletherapy appointments*** I am passionate about people leading empowered, connected, and purposeful lives. I provide counseling services to diverse clients as they learn, change, grow, and function in increasingly inspired, creative, healthy, and adaptive ways. I work collaboratively with clients in identifying needs, making changes, and practicing new skills in a safe and supportive setting. I am experienced in working with adults, couples, families, as well as adolescent clients, on issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, anger, identity, and unwanted thoughts or emotions.

I tend to see individuals who achieve success in school and in their careers, but retain a chronic and deep-seated feeling that something is missing. Often, these individuals have gotten by on exceptional logic with little sense that there can be more to their existence. They may be more comfortable doing as opposed to being, thinking as opposed to feeling, and helping as opposed to being helped. High standards commonly include high pressure to self-contain, which can cause immense, private suffering. I aim to provide these individuals with a fuller and more compassionate experience of themselves.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides client-centered therapy for adult clients. I have experience with a range of challenges including trauma, mood, anxiety, relationships, LGBTQ, life transitions, social justice, and addictions. After earning a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology from University of Oregon I pursued a Masters of Social Work from Portland State University and graduated with honors. Immediately following graduation I pursued my licensure and have been practicing in Bend since 2010.

As a psychotherapist and contemporary psychoanalyst, I will help you deal with your concerns and distress through greater understanding of what goes on inside of you. We will listen to and work with your feelings, dreams, fantasies, sadness, fears, hopes and desires with compassion and insight. During the past thirty years, I have helped adults, teenagers and children create a safe space in therapy based on trust and respect to develop a sturdier sense of self, have more satisfying relationships, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and access what was previously out of awareness or unthought that can now inform daily life.

I believe that every person, regardless of diagnosis or past experiences, can lead purposeful and fulfilling lives with the proper support. We do the best with what we have, and too often life presents significant challenges we are forced to adapt to. Sometimes the patterns that were helpful to get through our childhood present major challenges later in life. Our symptoms do not make us abnormal and are not part of a fundamental flaw that needs fixing, they are a normal response to extraordinary circumstances. Problems do not exist within one person but are the result of a person’s context, family patterns, and learned behaviors.

I believe that the experiences we go through in life shape us, the people around us impact us, and I believe that the process of growing is a life long journey. I practice psychodynamic therapy informed by person centered ways of relating. That’s just a fancy way to say that I think your life impacts who you are, how you behave and feel, and that an empathetic, supportive relationship is the best place to work on the change you want to see.

Bringing you affordable, confidential, and comprehensive services locally. We are an independent behavioral agency providing dual diagnosis and treatment services. Board certified and Licensed. I meet you where you are in life. My goal is to help you to identify paths to achieve personal goals, recovery, and life balance. Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. I believe in compassionate and respectful person-centered care.