Therapists for college students near Portland State University

I have always had a passion for giving back to my community and supporting the creation of positive change in ways that are meaningful and respectful to the unique beliefs, needs, and cultures of others. As a therapist I strive to fulfill this passion by helping folks feel empowered to heal, grow, and live authentically. My work is grounded in the belief of the inherent strength of each person, and I am dedicated to helping clients build resilience, self-compassion, and agency in their lives. The approach we decide is best for you will be tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're navigating major life transitions, processing trauma, or exploring gender and sexual identity, I am here to provide a safe, empathetic, and judgment-free space—with just a touch of humor. Together, we’ll identify meaningful strategies to help you build the skills and confidence to move forward in ways that align with your values and goals. Originally from the Midwest, I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University (2017) before moving to Portland. In 2022, I completed my Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver, with an emphasis on trauma and social justice, and have since had the privilege of providing therapy at a local community mental health agency, serving a wide range of folks struggling with complex generational trauma, major life transitions, relationship issues, grief, and gender/sexual identity exploration. Through this experience, I had the privilege of further developing skills specific to LGBTQIA+ folks, a group of individuals near to my heart, which has allowed me to more meaningfully connect with, and help, my community. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me running around the city or Forest Park training for the next half-marathon, at the coast or a hiking with my two wiener dogs, and most importantly spending time with my friends and loved ones. How I Can Help If you're looking for LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy in Portland or support for anxiety, trauma, relationships, or life transitions, I’m here to help. My goal is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care that empowers you to create meaningful change. Whether you're seeking CBT for anxiety, trauma therapy, or support navigating gender identity, I offer a collaborative, affirming, and client-centered approach to help you move forward. I offer both in-person and telehealth therapy, making it easier to access care in a way that fits your needs. Education & Licenses MSW, University of Denver (Trauma & Social Justice Focus) Clinical Social Worker, OR License #L30027

You’re carrying generational trauma. You have been navigating trauma, family hardship and stress since your childhood/adolescence. You navigate struggles with identity, self-worth, body-image and self-acceptance. You feel stuck. Relationships bring up conflict, insecurity and social anxiety. Emotions feel overwhelming and uncontrollable. You’re ready to explore a life out of “survival mode.” Together we can explore healing and how to build connection to others. You deserve to feel compassion towards tender parts of yourself and learn to trust yourself. Your trauma story has an impact, and you can heal and grow. You're worthy. My style is warm, radically compassionate and honest. I hold unconditional positive regard for you, knowing that you inherently hold wisdom. I find the core of issues, shedding light on patterns. I'm a multicultural Latina, coming from lived experiences with trauma and am committed to supporting marginalized communities healing from systemic oppression. It's brave of you to seek support. You deserve a space to be truly heard and explore your pain, anger, worry and sadness. Together, we can find clarity. My goal is to develop your capacity for ease, laughter & connection. I often work with those who identify as Latine/x, People of Color &/or Queer. Please reach out for a consultation to discuss more!

Are you experiencing a relational separation or burdened with grief, loss, or trauma? Are you having difficulty with ADHD, depression, or anxiety? You don’t need to suffer in silence or alone. We specialize in individual, couples, and family counseling, and we are ready and available to support you in the healing process.

Attending therapy can be expensive and time consuming. As healthcare providers, we want to make sure that we are offering the right treatment for the symptoms and conditions our clients are experiencing. We offer treatments that have been researched and proven to help reduce these unwanted symptoms. We engage all clients in a collaborative assessment to better understand the current treatment needs and will make a treatment plan together that is most likely to be helpful. It is important to us to get to know you as a whole person and to understand your goals for treatment, so that we can best support your healing. We offer services to support healing from trauma and other stressful life events. Our therapists focus on the recovery from traumatic experiences and other stressful life events. We treat PTSD, anxiety disorders, OCD, and adjustment disorders during life stressors and transitions.

Life comes with a lot of challenges and unexpected twists and turns. I enjoy helping people work through discovering themselves and exploring identity, as well as learning skills to cope with areas impacting everyday life. I provide a welcoming and low-pressure environment with a focus on building a good therapeutic relationship.

Often our first response to misfortune is to fight against it. While we may have skillful ways of doing this, our efforts nevertheless become futile and disconnect us from others. Our energy gets bound up, we get stuck in elusive cycles. However, our truths are complex and deserve to be recognized. I provide a focused and understanding space that supports you opening to your own aliveness and your voice. I bring my full attention, my honest feeling, and I will share what I see will help you. In a setting of mutual respect and trust, and with your active participation, I will encourage and challenge you to take risks to be more honest and vulnerable with yourself and in your relationships. The result is often a more comfortable, effective and empowered sense of self from which one can thrive. I offer individual therapy to adults who are interested in exploring one's relationship with oneself, including through dreams and creative process. I have a special interest in working with anxiety, depression, grief and self-esteem.

I am a holistic, trauma-informed therapist with a background in CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Feminist theory. I am well-versed in 12-step recovery programs including individuals and families dealing with addiction and alcoholism. I have worked in hospital, school, and community-based settings, which have challenged and shaped my knowledge and interests. Navigating big life transitions are my specialty; whether you are shifting careers, your identity, or your boundaries with others.

The lifelong journey of personal growth and healing creates many opportunities for creativity and connecting with a deeper sense of empowerment. The path to self-realization is an exciting journey. I provide a safe place to explore and break down personal barriers for you enjoy your journey of thriving and living your true self. This is your life. You are worthy! My treatment focus is person-centered and holistic recognizing each person’s identity and culture. I work with struggles related to trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, existential and identity concerns, relationship concerns, and life changes. I incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Creative Therapy, Positive Self-talk, Grief Therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR with tapping, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness Practice while focusing on a personal approach. I provide individual therapy for adults. I will work collaboratively with you to support your self-exploration. It is very important that you have a good match with the person you are working within your journey. It is your best chance to find therapy that works for you. Before we decide to work together, I offer a 15-minute consultation at no cost to you. Finding someone who is a good fit for you is the most important step in your journey.

I have a passion for working with college students and people in the midst of life transitions. I utilize a holistic approach by taking into account your presenting concern as well as your strengths, your community, and your environmental context. I enjoy the collaborative process of building awareness and understanding as we explore the impact of cultural, familial, societal, physical, social, and spiritual factors on your psychological concerns. I am honored to work with people as they channel their courage to face challenges in their lives - to bring healing and growth out of pain and struggle. So often we humans try to avoid our pain or we get stuck in it; I believe we are all doing the best we can in the moment with what we have and what we know. I am here to walk alongside you for awhile in your journey towards integration, authenticity, and well-being. Clients often describe me as warm, empathic, non-judgmental, genuine, empowering, gently challenging, and compassionate. My approach is client-centered, solution-focused, body positive, and LGBTQ-affirming. I amplify one's resilience and strengths by incorporating mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, self-compassion, and interpersonal process. I am also always in the process of growth and learning about new approaches and perspectives through continuing education and consultation, gaining valuable insights to my own biases and privileges.

We here at Brave Acorn help people in the greater Portland area align body, mind, and emotions in their daily lives. We are trauma-trained, take a Health at Every Size approach to food and weight issues, and encourage people to work with their body and emotions as allies (rather than enemies) on their journey towards growth and healing.

Teresa views healing through an attachment and biopsychosocial lens, meaning that there are many intersecting areas of life (biological, psychological, social/relational) that all impact wellness. Teresa is trained in EMDR, IFS, LI (Lifespan Integration), Pain Management, and Spiritual Trauma. She uses an intersectional, attachment and strength-based approach, along with many individualized interventions to help her clients reach their goals. Several years after experiencing personal healing from severe depression, trauma, and social anxiety, Teresa completed her Masters in Counseling and is now a Licensed Professional Counselor. Teresa considers it a privilege to work with every client, and has experience working with men/women/nonbinary, LGBTQiA+, adolescents, folks in recovery, and survivors of domestic violence. She supports people working through addiction, anxiety, career goals, depression, PTSD, parenting, trauma, peak performance, pain management, and relationship concerns. Teresa facilitates a group for people with spiritual trauma.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Amanda (she/her) I identify as white, cis gendered, middle-class woman. As someone with a great deal of privilege, I believe it is my job to make sure I understand my privilege through active learning, unlearning and holding space for others. I believe that we all have access to an inner knowledge that helps us overcome our challenges. I use several tools to help clients access this knowledge including talk therapy, art therapy, and regulation strategies, mindfulness and meditation practices based off client need and comfort level. My approach is relational, trauma-informed and strength-based. I work with clients where they are at on any given day. From there, we collaborate to build skills and resiliency. I work with teens, adults and families to help find resources within themselves. I work with many clients who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression and or difficulty in transition.

Timothy Lafolette is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with more than 13 years of experience working with clients utilizing medication management and talk therapy. He enjoys working with clients who are looking to take their next steps toward self-acceptance and wellness. He views the therapeutic process through a trauma-informed lens, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing methods.

Do you feel overwhelmed by that pile of laundry in the corner of your room, or that stack of dishes in the kitchen? Do you bounce your leg endlessly or fidget with anything within reach? Do you ever hyperfixate on something for hours and completely lose track of time? Are you easily distracted? Forgetful? Do you find yourself interrupting others? Are you motivated by challenge? What about urgency? If so, not to fret, you’re in the right place! I too have struggled with these same issues, but I have also learned to find the joy in my ADHD. Likewise, I would like to help you learn to harness your creativity, quick thinking, and unique perspective on life. Not only will we collaborate on discovering effective time management, emotional regulation, and organizational techniques that work for you. But we will go beyond that and bring to light the ways in which we can empower you in finding your ADHD “superpower”. Together we can explore topics such as diagnosis, medication, and accommodations. We may also discuss sensory issues, shame, relationships and whatever else you would like to bring into the room. If this sounds like a journey you’re ready to start, please reach out! I’d love to walk this path alongside you.

I love supporting people in better understanding themselves. I value a collaborative relationship with clients as well as crafting the therapeutic experience to meet the needs of each individual I work with. I welcome members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and provide affirming care for folks on the gender spectrum and/or amid gender transition. I have experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, life transition issues, and relationship concerns (family, partners, social) and have specific training in DBT, CBT, and post-modern models. I am a systemic therapist and will often bring larger systems, identity intersections, and relationships into our conversations.

If you’re looking for a supportive and easy-to-talk-to therapist, to help you achieve your goals, we may be a good fit. I help adults and adolescents that are struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD and relationship issues. I help students trying to find their place in life. I also help men overcome anger issues that may negatively impact their quality of life. I practice CBT, ACT, and DBT. I work with business owners, creatives, students, athletes, musicians, writers, therapists, teenagers and more. Together, we will find solutions to your struggles so you live your rich and meaningful life. I do telehealth and walk-and-talk therapy, aka ecotherapy. We'll either meet online or at a park in Portland and walk for 50 minutes. Ecotherapy gives you exercise, forest bathing and talk therapy. Couples, men and trauma survivors often prefer ecotherapy since walking often increases vulnerability. Together, we'll help you feel better and get better. I owned two businesses before I became a therapist. One appeared on The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. I’m also a father, husband, friend, animal lover, mistake-maker, Little League coach, ex-D 1 athlete and (hopefully) down-to-earth. I strive to bring trust and transparency to my relationships. I believe humility is a superpower. Call or email me and let’s connect!

As an ex-evangelical queer person, I am passionate about partnering with LGBTQIA+ adults to help them live authentic and fulfilling sexual, relational, and spiritual lives through sex and relationship therapy. Client issues include but are not limited to navigating non-affirming relationships, sexual concerns and "dysfunctions," and breakdowns in communication or values conflicts. I collaborate with my clients to increase self-understanding, foster agency, clarify self-defined values, build communication skills, increase emotional well-being in relationships, heal from religious trauma, and explore spirituality. My approach is influenced by Internal Family Systems (also known as parts work) and The Developmental Model. I have received multicultural training through the National Board of Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program. Additionally, I have actively pursued my own learning on topics such as non-monogamy, kink/BDSM, and sex work. We will work to unlearn harmful narratives, patterns, and behaviors that make you or your partner(s) stuck and learn those that are empowering, enriching, and life-giving. We will seek to heal and integrate wounded parts, build upon existing strengths in one's self and relationship(s), and increase communal support to create long-lasting change.

A therapist who is also a sensitive soul helping my fellow nerds and weirdos find their truth and thrive. I love working with the queer community, ADHDers, artists and theater kids!

I am informal, goofy, sometimes loud, curious, imperfect, and you get all that and more when we start working together. Therapy with me commonly looks like laughing together, sometimes until we cry; actually crying together; laying on the ground; understanding that dark humor is often a necessary coping strategy for whatever life throws at us; talking with my hands; and my facial expressions being apart of the conversation (AKA having real reactions to real shit). Growing up between worlds can get messy, that weird in-between of always trying to fit in. As a transracial/international adoptee, I know how frustrating that pull between cultures and identities can be. Whether you're a fellow adoptee, mixed raced, or 1st gen, we’ll explore those layers - the deep identity stuff, aka the “laugh so you don’t cry” stuff, and find your way back home within the complexity. As a relational, trauma-informed therapist, I believe healing happens through connection. I focus on how your relationships, past and present, shape how you move through the world. My work blends somatic awareness with curiosity and compassion to help you build relationships that feel nourishing, real, and aligned with who you are. Finding the right fit may be time consuming, but shouldn’t be draining. Consults are a brief window into what the therapeutic relationship will look like - like a vibe-check. And if the vibes are right, the hard stuff will come naturally and not feel forced. This is why I offer 25-min consults. Reach out for a consult and let’s take it from there!