Trauma Focused Therapists in Portland, OR

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.

You're an adult with a big imagination, creative at heart, but you feel stuck. You’re struggling with chronic pain, unresolved trauma, or overwhelming anxiety. Parenting & relationships feel like minefields, & you’re constantly triggered. Your creative spark is dimmed by the weight of it all. You’ve tried to push through, tried to find solutions, but nothing sticks. What you want is peace—freedom from the constant noise in your mind & body. You need space to breathe, to heal, & to reconnect with the person you know you can be. To tap back into your creativity, confidence, and be fully present in your relationships and work.

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.

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.

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.

You may be grieving a loss, struggling to move forward, or caught in a seemingly intractable conflict within yourself or with others in your life. You may feel stuck in place, trapped in old habits, or merely surviving when you want to thrive. Whether your concerns are big-picture or small, I believe in the power of connecting deeply and authentically with others to bring about the truest expression of ourselves. I've found success guiding others with this relationship-based, trauma-focused approach, and I'm confident that together we can bring into being your most authentic self.

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.

Accepting New Clients! Are you wondering how past experiences are affecting you today? Do you want to break the cycle and do things differently with your children than what you experienced growing up? Or maybe you are just curious about counseling and not sure what to expect? I am experienced working with clients with all types of trauma/(C-) PTSD, emotional neglect, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, OCD, grief, and anger issues, and I can support you navigate these types of challenges and potentially help you find healing and a sense of belonging in your life. I see individual adults of all ages.

Therapy is different for everyone but regardless of circumstance, I offer an empathetic 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.

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.

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.

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. As a certified Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, I work primarily from the EMDR modality and integrate parts work and somatic techniques as well as mind-body medicine approaches when it feels appropriate in our work together.

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.

Accepting New Clients - I help individuals and couples understand the deeper meaning of the problems that are holding them back and work with them so they can break free and reach their full potential. I use empathy, compassion, and unconditional positive regard to guide my practice while helping people understand themselves. Working together collaboratively but acknowledging that people are the experts of their own life, we will work together to end suffering while building self growth.

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.

I have been a therapist for over 20 years, have trained in multiple approaches and am consistently deepening and refining my practice. I have specialized in childhood development, anxiety, neurodiversity, trauma focused and trauma informed care with all ages. Let's connect if you are you curious about what makes you tick, have found yourself in a phase of life that is difficult, confusing, challenging or scary, live with anxiety, or hoping to heal from trauma or generational trauma.

PTSD, chronic illness, or complex grief can leave you emotionally and physically drained, creating an overwhelming journey. You may find yourself stuck in a cycle of intense emotions and unresolved pain, struggling to find relief. My practice is dedicated to helping individuals like you navigate these challenges, fostering resilience and a renewed sense of hope. Let's work together to create a path toward healing and a more fulfilling life.

I am passionate about people and advocating for the underdog. I enjoy a good fight for justice, equity and equality. Have you experienced abuse, rejection and discrimination? Is it a challenge for you to have difficult conversations? Anxiety eatin you up? Need someone to have your back? I got you! I can relate to 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.

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.