Therapists for college students near Portland State University

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

Dr. Kittinger is passionate about entering into the depths and carving out an intentional space that cultivates curiosity and authentic connection. As a relational psychodynamic therapist, Dr. Kittinger’s approach to therapy focuses on transformational change through the context of relationship. She engages her patients with a balance of acknowledging suffering and challenging difficult patterns to facilitate each persons own unique healing. Dr. Kittinger prioritizes the authenticity of the moment, attending to and unlocking conscious and unconscious patterns of how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. She utilizes a soft but direct approach to explore with each patient what it means to increase awareness into their own needs, wants, and to increase agency in their own lives. Wherever you are at in your process, her hope is to co-create a space open to deep and thoughtful self-reflection established gradually with trust and safety to take steps toward healing, transformation, and personal fulfillment. Dr. Kittinger meets with patients in-person and virtually and is licensed in Oregon and Washington.

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.

I provide individual therapy to people ages 18 and up. I specialize in working with queer and trans people, pot-stirrers, and outsiders. I enjoy working with people who are confronting major identity shifts, people who are navigating issues with their families of origin, and people who are trying to envision a future they never imagined themselves in (What is middle age? What is aging in queer spaces? How can I live meaningfully in late stage capitalism?).

Accepting new clients! You are taking the time to make mental health a priority, and that is something to be proud of. I am honored to support you on your journey toward your goals. I approach your challenges from a holistic perspective, recognizing that every aspect of your life contributes to the present situation. I firmly believe that you are the expert of your own story, and that you possess numerous strengths that will guide you in overcoming any roadblocks along the way. Together, we will uncover and build upon these strengths, enabling you to achieve the growth and fulfillment you deserve.

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.

As a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, I specialize in helping students navigate the unique challenges of personal, academic, and social stressors. My approach is built on understanding each individual’s story, and I offer a safe, supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe in the power of self-discovery and transformation through the therapeutic process. Billing Information: I accept OHP, OOP, and offer super bills for out of network. Approach: With a focus on anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress management, and relationship issues, I offer a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to your needs. Drawing from Narrative Therapy, we’ll work together to rewrite problematic stories that might be holding you back, empowering you to take control of your narrative and identity. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we’ll address unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress, and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. I also integrate Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), especially for those facing relationship challenges, helping you understand and improve emotional connections with others. In addition, I incorporate Existential Therapy, which encourages deep exploration of meaning, purpose, and identity, helping you find fulfillment and clarity during the sometimes overwhelming college years. Whether you’re struggling with academic pressure, navigating personal relationships, or seeking to build stronger self-worth, I’m here to help you achieve growth and healing. My approach is collaborative, empathetic, and non-judgmental, focusing on your strengths and potential. Together, we will create practical tools and strategies to build resilience, improve mental well-being, and help you thrive both personally and academically.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We all face challenges in our lives…. Whether it be from the everyday stressors of school, work or relationships to the trauma of childhood events, abuse and/or neglect. Emotions such as anxiety, depression, shame and guilt often grip us and take over, leaving us feeling hopeless. Thoughts can become obsessive, sticky and ruminative leaving us feeling anxious and immobile. Reaching out for help is oftentimes one of the hardest first steps. Kristen McClard is a licensed psychologist with over 10 years of clinical experience. Her approach is practical, nonjudgmental, collaborative, and focused on problem-solving ways to cope with and/or overcome challenges. She specializes in Evidenced Based Treatments like Mindfulness, EMDR, CBT, DBT for the treatment of: Anxiety Mood problems Trauma Life transitions and choices Identity Body Image Self-Esteem Relationship problems

Feeling foggy or like you're in a dream (in a bad way)? Feeling detached from your body or your joy? At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I'm passionate about helping clients feel more present, embodied, and connected whether they're experiencing grief, dissociation (depersonalization or derealization), or burn out. I work best with folks who are motivated to put in work inside and outside of session in order to inch closer to change. There is so much to grieve in the world right now but I'll be alongside you to sit in the messy feelings and cheer on your wins. I use experiential (creative) and somatic (body-focused) techniques for additional ways of processing grief, loss, or disconnection. Experientially, we might write, make art, use music, or create a tangible coping tool you can use. Somatically, this might mean grounding exercises, movement, guided visualizations, or just pausing and noticing the body. Your healing process is important and I don’t believe in taking away coping mechanisms that have allowed you to survive until now. Instead, the idea is to explore different options to help you sift through complicated situations or feelings and help you evaluate what's no longer serving you. Reach out if we might be a good fit. I'd love to hear from you!

Margaret has over 25 years of experience working in various areas of the field of Mental Health. Margaret specializes in trauma, abuse, special needs, loss and grief and life transitions. She has training in Sensory Integration, Neuroeducation, Applied Behavioral Analysis, EMDR, and Life Span Integration. Her background and life experiences led her to a multivariate approach when collaborating with clients and the people who support them. She has been trained in traditional therapies but prefers modalities such as Lifespan Integration, EMDR, and Neuroeducation. She works with the client through a learning process anchored in movement to treat at the root cause while activating, integrating, and building on positive connections within their relationship with self, family and others. Margaret has been with her husband for 33 years. They have two adopted children and a biological son with severe complex neurological conditions resulting in severe behaviors and medical challenges.

I am an experienced mental health provider specializing in depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, sleep issues, substance use, life transitions, and relationship concerns. As a doctoral-prepared, dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (trained at OHSU and UCSF), I offer personalized, holistic care that combines medication management with brief psychotherapy. My goal is to provide a compassionate, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space to support you on your path to mental wellness.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there, I’m Annie (she/her). I’m grateful you are here. Therapy can be a big step into the unknown but can also be an opportunity for growth and positive change. I believe human beings make meaning through connection and the relationships we hold. I approach therapy with a systemic perspective and carefully consider the many complexities that work together to form our whole selves. Some of these complexities could include cultural, environmental, or societal factors that may be contributing to barriers or overall challenges to daily functioning. I work collaboratively with you in honoring your story and how it informs your life, while also helping to highlight new stories and meaning-making. Therapy can provide a space for you to reflect upon and better understand the many parts of you.

My work is based on Mindfulness, Buddhist Psychology, and Gestalt Therapy. All are adept approaches to increasing awareness of our embodied experience and discovering more authentic ways of living a fulfilling life. My approach works to help clients develop resiliency, emotional flexibility, and explore the careful balance between acceptance and change. I support clients’ process of deepening into a more compassionate and loving relationship with themselves and the world by accepting who they truly are. Simultaneously, I challenge people to examine and move beyond rigid, habitual beliefs or behaviors and develop more alive, creative, and connective ways of being in the world.

Hi, I'm Matthew. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and finding the right person to work with matters. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where you can feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment. My goal is to create a welcoming space where you can slow down, explore what you're experiencing, and develop tools that help you move forward. I don't believe therapy is about "fixing" you. It's about creating space to understand yourself more deeply, strengthen your relationship with yourself and others, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with who you are and what matters to you.

Find a therapist you can connect with and relate to! If you are looking for support, we have 32 therapists with a variety of backgrounds and specialties here to help. We take most insurance. We are located in Portland and available for online therapy statewide in Oregon. Find our current openings on our home page and check out our team profiles at http://www.healthalliescounseling.com to find your perfect match.