Therapists for college students near Portland State University

My work is guided by the belief that mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and personalized. With a background in community mental health and primary care behavioral health, I offer an integrative, culturally responsive, and values-based approach to therapy. I believe therapy is most effective when it goes beyond symptoms—when we explore your values, goals, and passions together. Through this lens, we co-create a foundation rooted in curiosity, connection, and emotional safety, opening space for healing and growth. I’ve had the privilege of expanding gender-affirming care at a community health system in Seattle and helped develop a behavioral health department embedded within a community center—where I facilitated programming focused on emotional wellness and connection. These experiences have shaped my commitment to making therapy accessible, affirming, and grounded in real-world community values. My value of community and connection continues to be nourished at Aspire Psychology.

I am a social worker, musician, and expressive arts therapist. I believe everyone is innately creative, and each person has within them what they need to heal and change. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Oregon and Louisiana, and a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT). I use a multi-arts, or intermodal, approach in individual and group therapy and facilitating. This means I use movement, visual art, music, writing, and mindfulness as therapeutic tools to initiate healing and change. Since this work is based on the creative process and not the resulting product, no background or training in the arts is required to benefit.

Many of my clients are college students and young adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, Autism, chronic illness, eating disorders, body image concerns, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. I also support clients working through trauma, relationship challenges, burnout, and the many transitions that come with growing into adulthood. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by expectations, disconnected from yourself, or unsure of what comes next, therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and reconnect with what matters to you. I take a relational and collaborative approach to therapy, integrating evidence-based approaches including ACT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT, and Compassion Focused Therapy with feminist, person-centered, and strengths-based perspectives. I believe therapy is not about changing who you are, but about understanding yourself more deeply, building self-compassion, and finding tools that support a life that feels meaningful to you. My approach is grounded in genuine connection, curiosity, and authenticity. As someone who is neurodivergent and lives with chronic illness, I bring both personal and professional experience to understanding the ways our minds, bodies, and environments influence our experiences. I strive to create an LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and weight-inclusive space where you feel seen, heard, and valued. I recognize that our mental health is shaped by many parts of our lives, including our identities, relationships, communities, and the world around us. Together, we can explore what has shaped you, challenge patterns that no longer serve you, and create space for growth and meaningful change. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me spending time with my three cats, enjoying nature, reading, exploring creative projects, or finding ways to make space for rest, play, and community.

Our therapists love working with college students because they are at such an important time in their lives and it’s a rich time for growth and deeper self understanding. The clients we help the most are committed to the process of self awareness and change, even if it’s hard. Going to college can be scary and bring up a lot of challenges. It can be hard to live separately from your family for the first time. There can be so many difficulties at college that you didn’t expect. We are here to help. Our therapists are relatable and effective in their work. We welcome you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there! Starting your healing journey can be a daunting process, and you have already taken a tremendous first step by searching for a therapist. I strive to create a therapeutic space where you feel empowered to navigate concerns related to anxiety, depression, insomnia, trauma, and identity issues. Additionally, I am a BIPOC and queer therapist and enjoy working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients. To help you develop effective coping skills, we may use tools from CBT and solution-focused therapy. I also use a person-centered stance to ensure you feel accepted and our relationship feels authentic. Finally, I incorporate cultural humility and relational-cultural therapy to ensure our work is sensitive to your experiences. I appreciate you reading my bio. I currently have openings for in-person and telehealth sessions. If you are interested in booking a free, initial consultation, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to connecting with you!

I believe healing and growth occur in psychotherapy when you first establish a supportive, collaborative therapeutic relationship. That is why I offer a safe, nurturing space where you can speak and be listened to with empathy and free from judgement. Past experiences, and how you attempt to understand them, can affect numerous areas of your life and sometimes lead you to feel stuck in certain patterns of behavior. In therapy, we will work together to help you better understand your behaviors, overcome life challenges, navigate obstacles, and build skills to cope with difficult emotions, so that you can find a new way forward. I value the unique aspects of each individual and therefore integrate a culturally sensitive approach with my patients. This means I understand that racial, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual identities interact with one’s beliefs and behavior, and believe that it is more effective to vary my therapeutic approach from person to person, depending on a client’s culture group, rather than to simply use the same standard treatment approach for everyone. My goal is to build a relationship based on authenticity and open communication throughout the course of therapy to ensure satisfaction. I’m here to listen, support and guide you on a healthy, empowered path.

Do you feel anxious and hopeless when you think about the state of the world? Do you feel depressed and overwhelmed trying to survive within the capitalist system? Do you experience existential dread and climate grief? Do you yearn to find meaning, purpose and a connection to something greater? You are not alone, and having an understanding person to help you move beyond surviving and into thriving can be life changing. As a spiritual therapist, I am decolonial and anti-capitalist. I specialize in supporting people in creating a better relationship with their mind, decreasing self-critical thinking, healing from trauma, anxiety and depression. I also support clients in exploring their concept of spirituality and their feelings around the crises humanity is experiencing. Being a human today is hard. You don’t have to do it alone. If you are ready to connect with a deeper sense of purpose, heal from familial and societal constructs, and live the life you dream of, the time is now! Send me an email and let’s start the journey!

Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon. She chose social work as a second career, after having spent 20 years as manager and mentor in various government agencies. It was her own therapeutic journey, providing the insight and understanding to help her find grace in navigating the journey of life, which led her to further her education and complete her Masters of Social Work program. “I learned why I made decisions and choices in the past and how to use this knowledge to accept myself and move on. This is why I became a therapist, and this is the support I hope to offer you as my client. I have experienced the delicate balance of having a career, raising a teenager, taking care of elder parents and trying to identify what I needed for self-care.” After earning her degree, Kim worked for several years in a hospital behavioral health unit. Her approach is non-judgmental, person-centered and strength-based, incorporating evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamics, Family Systems Therapy, and Strengths-Based Therapy. Kim has lived most of her life in Oregon and, as a single mom, adopted her now young-adult daughter from Guatemala. She has since added a loving husband, a huge Newfoundland dog and two rescue cats. Her interests include gardening, cooking, traveling and yoga. “My intention is to use my life and clinical experience to offer you a safe, trauma-informed space to help you discover you, and to help you find your path. I will listen and be supportive, helping you identify and untangle what gets in the way of you living life to the fullest. Life can be tricky, and its challenges sometimes seem overwhelming.” “It would be my privilege to help you in this journey.”

I draw from person-centered care, treating anxiety through mindfulness-based therapy, and evidence-based approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I especially enjoy working with college students navigating career and life transitions, as well as adults experiencing anxiety, depression, or Bipolar II Disorder. My style as a psychologist is warm, collaborative, and grounded in kindness, while also making space for humor and lightness when appropriate.

I believe in the unique resilience of each individual and tailor my treatment through a collaborative process with each person I work with. I offer a warm, non-judgmental and supportive space where we can develop a trusting relationship to allow you to explore yourself in the context of your world. Drawing from numerous treatment modalities and utilizing a trauma-informed lens, we can work together to help you meet your therapy goals. My favorite patient group is college students. I have worked in college mental health at Reed College for over 5 years and have developed expertise in working with people during this transitional age of their life. I have additional experience as a medical social worker at OHSU hospital. In my private practice, I see patients for individual therapy, and I also offer psychological evaluation for aid in immigration court cases.

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.

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!

Hello, We can start with what is your immediate concern. That is likely to open the possibility of changes within you, that can open new possibilities for satisfaction and broader changes. Our goals will include more satisfying and close relationships for you.

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.

Hello, I am licensed psychologist and I provide culturally-sensitive, insight-oriented psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups. I also provide online psychotherapy services. My services are anti-racist, LGBTQ-affirming, trauma-informed, sex-positive, poly-aware and kink-knowledgeable. I am a generalist with over 10 years of experience working a wide range of presenting concerns. My areas of clinical expertise include: • PTSD/Trauma • Depression • Anxiety & Stress Management • Women’s Issues • Coping with Racism and Microaggressions • Interracial/Cross-cultural Relationships • Sexuality, Love, and Relationship issues • Sex Therapy • Sexual Identity • Gender Identity • LGBTQ-affirming therapy • Perfectionism • Group Psychotherapy I am a Latina and have a personal and professional interest in diversity (cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, & sexuality) and social justice issues. I view my work through a multicultural, feminist lens, meaning that I work to understand my clients and their concerns within the context of societal, cultural, and contextual factors. I bring an appreciation for cultural differences and I strive to be sensitive to issues of race, gender, sexuality, ability, social class, and body size. My services are LGBTQ-affirming, trauma-informed, feminist, sex-positive, poly-aware and kink-knowledgeable. I am native Spanish-speaker and can provide bilingual (Spanish and English) services

College can be a lot to juggle, not only are you balancing your classes and course work, but also relationships and expectations. All while trying to figure out what you actually want for yourself. As a first-generation child of immigrants, I understand the pressure that can come with balancing your own goals while staying connected to where you come from. I work with college students who are dealing with anxiety, burnout, identity questions, and major life transitions. You might notice overthinking, procrastination, people pleasing, or feeling like you have to show up differently depending on the space you’re in. A lot of my clients are used to pushing through, even when they feel overwhelmed or unsure of themselves. My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and culturally responsive. I help you make sense of your emotions, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and build tools that actually work in your everyday life. Whether we’re talking through stress, working on anxiety, or exploring identity and relationships, we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.