Teletherapy for Multnomah Village - Portland, OR

If you find your mind racing uncontrollably with thoughts of worry or stress, you feel lost when going through big life changes, or are struggling to find motivation to complete your goals, you don't have to go through it alone. I am an empathic listener who wants to support your growth and healing.

I provide a nonjudgemental space for clients to address anything you choose to bring to therapy. I work primarily with Narrative Therapy, which is a world view as much as it is a therapeutic approach. The Narrative approach puts your story at the center of the conversation. People in my practice are also seen through a multi-storied lens rather than a narrow singular story. I will have a friendly and laid back approach in our sessions. At the same time, I will also offer you direct feedback and honest observations. Mindfulness work, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Relational work are also important to me.

Looking for the right therapist for you can be the start of something great, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. At the heart of my practice is your comfort. When you begin talking with someone who really listens, wants to understand your point of view, and wants to not only help you, but learn from you, real growth can begin to happen. Sometimes old patterns and the things we have been through can make us feel stuck. I'm here to help you get unstuck and get where you want to be.

EMDR Certified Therapist in OR and WA. Our social environments, whether that be the workplace, school, family, or community can have deep impacts on our mental health. Workplace trauma has increased, especially for those in the helping professions. I identify as white, cisgender, and queer, and I work from an understanding of how privilege and power show up in my personal life, as well as in my therapy practice. My approach affirms my clients’ racial identities, sexual orientation, gender identities, and body size. I maintain awareness of how oppression can impact our internal and external experiences.

Are you hungry for a change, but not sure how to achieve it? Perhaps you are feeling lost, or stuck. Maybe you are looking for the tools to process a traumatic event, or tools to move past a negative thought pattern. Or maybe you are new at putting your needs first, and wanting to learn how to establish boundaries with others. We all have points in our lives when we could use someone in our corner to help us navigate through the muddy waters.

I enjoy working with the full spectrum of development, from personal and relational issues to transpersonal and spiritual growth issues. As relational beings, the power to heal and grow is unlocked through the therapeutic relationship, so this is at the center of the work. Using the relationship and our present moment awareness, we can explore self-limitations, alienation in relationships, lack of fulfillment, and the understandable anxiety and depression that arises from those challenges.

I am a counselor and psychotherapist with a passion for working with children over 10, adolescents, and adults who are recovering from childhood wounds, or who want to find new ways of relating to themselves or others. I have a master's degree in counseling psychology from Saint Mary's College of California and a state license in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also hold a credential in school counseling and served as a mental health provider and counselor at all K-12 grade levels. I was a counseling-skills trainer and adjunct faculty member in the graduate counseling department at Saint Mary's College.

My orientation to counseling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy is essentially a strengths perspective with a solution focus. The strengths perspective acknowledges all the strengths, resources and instinctual imperatives within an individual that have helped the individual get to the present moment.The strengths perspective helps me scan for the resources needed to resolve or modfy the treatment concern.

Psychotherapy is a time devoted to you. With over 20 years of experience, I can provide support, perspective, and guidance; and help you recognize life’s joys and navigate through life’s struggles in a balanced, effective, and healthy way. I am straight-forward, humorous and empathic in my approach, and strive to facilitate open, honest and respectful communication while helping individuals and couples reach their goals. I believe I can best serve my clients by helping them 1) utilize their own experience and knowledge; 2) build on current strengths; and 3) tailor solutions to fit their unique circumstances.

I specialize in neuro-development, with a particular focus on autism and associated conditions (e.g., sensory processing difficulties, ADHD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder). My training in Developmental Psychology, Infant Mental Health, and Clinical Neuropsychology, and my 30+ years experience, have taught me to put parents first, intervene early, and collaborate with medical doctors, developmental therapists, and schools for the strongest outcomes in these conditions.

I am honored to walk alongside you on this part of your journey. Seeking help takes courage and I commend each and every client for taking this first step. Those struggling with a harsh inner critic, attachment issues, and existential anxiety would work well with me. I am also interested in how the past is affecting the present. Through various body-centered offerings, I will often bring the experience of therapy into the here and now. I believe therapy is a collaborative process and invite ongoing feedback into the therapy room.

Everyone needs to talk about their personal concerns, emotions, and life challenges. At times, it is best to talk to someone who is not a friend or family member. I provide a place and process for these personal conversations. I will support you as you resolve old issues and emotional blocks, find new insights and choices, develop new ways of coping and acting. I am interactive and supportive. I work with individuals experiencing stress/anxiety/trauma; depression; childhood and relationship issues; life transitions - divorce, the death of someone important, illness, and transitions of midlife or becoming an elder; ADHD.

If you are experiencing difficulties in your relationships or you feel you are not living the life you were meant to live, I can help you. Perhaps you want to resolve indecision in some area of your life. Or you realize that you need help with anxiety or depression. Some people seek counseling when they have a problem controlling their behavior, such as drinking or arguing. Whatever your reason for wanting to change, please don’t wait to get yourself living the life you envision. Many people have experienced the changes you seek and I am looking forward to being a part of your success.

Allyssa Casad, is a Native-identified clinician in the Portland, OR area. Allyssa has worked with the Urban Native and BIPOC communities for the last several years. Allyssa aim’s to provide client-centered and client-lead services to improve quality of life. Allyssa’s clinical approach is holistic, integrative, and strength based and draws from attachment and relational theories.

Let's talk. Let's keep it real and explore the barriers to your optimal health and happiness. We will start where you are and build from there. I have worked in mental health and addictions for many years and I believe that the therapeutic relationship that we build on mutual respect, trust and transparency will be the foundation of your treatment. We will work together to identify your challenges and strengths, and create a plan to support your thriving future.

Sometimes we just need someone to hear us. We have the answers, we may just need the guidance to uncover our path. Other times we need support as we consider our choices and reflect on our challenges. I believe that the relationship we build together is the most important part of trusting the therapeutic process.

Sometimes you may have a specific problem for which you are seeking help - like low mood, worry, sleep problems, or trouble at home or work - and sometimes you just want to explore yourself or develop ways to live a fuller, happier life. As your therapist, my goal is to help you clearly identify and explore the issue, and provide the assistance, guidance and coping skills to address an array of mental, emotional and general life issues, and restore hope. It is truly a pleasure to help you explore what's important to you and appreciate yourself in the world.

I work with various issues including infertility, pregnancy and postpartum, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress management, grief and loss, and marriage/relationship.

I am a firm believer that counseling can benefit the personal growth of any individual. In a therapeutic relationship, this growth comes through the ongoing journey where you are able to safely discuss mental illness, process difficult events, and learn tools for holistic healing. I believe it is my job as a counselor to assist you in uncovering solutions, building confidence, and finding direction in life. I place a high value on therapeutic, non-judgmental relationships centered around deep listening. I am a Christian and if you would like to discuss your Christian faith, I would be happy to offer faith-based counseling.