Therapists for college students near Portland State University

Living in a world filled with poverty, marginalization, oppression, and pandemic(s) can feel daunting and lead people to feel as though they have little agency. Therapy can be a helpful place to explore the places in our lives where we do have agency, where we are able to make tangible changes-often times this is in our interpersonal relationships. I work from an attachment focused and relational cultural perspective that is grounded in feminist practice which prioritizes the exploration of identities, oppression, intersectionality, and their impact on social and emotional functioning. I draw upon interventions from psychoanalytic psychotherapy, attachment focused therapy, emotionally focused therapy, radical acceptance, and health at every size. I have experience working with people struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, life transitions, gender identity, queer issues, and relationship and family challenges. I take a non-pathologizing approach to working my clients, with a particular focus on those have been marginalized by the mental health profession in the past.

I work primarily with queer and neurodivergent clients. My ideal client is someone experiencing disconnection from their authentic self or is trying to unmask. They might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or emotional triggers related to past traumas with which they are struggling. Perhaps they are interested in understanding more about their neurodivergence and ways to build supportive systems to address symptoms. I am honored to help with navigating questions of identity, gender, sexuality, and building relationships with oneself and others. I offer a collaborative, client-centered approach incorporating elements of Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, EMDR, mindfulness techniques, and creativity to find a framework for therapy that works for each client. We will work together to find meaningful goals for you, and then work together to achieve them. For whatever reason, we all may feel like an Awkward Turtle sometimes and retreat into our shells. Underneath the weight of all of the expectations placed on us, however, we are all unique in our own beautiful ways. I created Awkward Turtle Therapy to help others learn to explore and love the parts of themselves they have felt compelled to hide.

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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who grew up in rural Northern California, where adequate mental health care was not accessible, and differences were not celebrated. I developed a passion for helping others after watching people I cared about struggle without support and going through my own challenges as an adolescent and young adult. After settling in the Portland Metro Area, I have developed a great love of our area's diverse populations and green landscapes, combining all the beauty the Willamette Valley has to offer with the convenience and luxury of inner-city resources and diversity. I have experience working in community mental health, hospice, and counseling with adults and teens ranging from late adolescents to the elderly. I especially enjoy working with those struggling with life transitions, trauma, chronic illnesses, depression, and anxiety. I believe that fostering safety and unconditional positive regard is the backbone of the therapeutic relationship. I use these core Rogerian principles and a strength-based approach along with techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy to aid people in broadening their perspectives, changing behaviors that are not working for them, and developing practical tools they can use in their day-to-day lives. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy and am variably directive in my approach depending on client needs. I am honored by those who share their brightest and darkest times with me. Time and time again, I am amazed by the strength and resilience of those who actively seek change. When I am not with clients, I can be found wrangling my two young children. I am a music, gardening, hiking, equine, and canine enthusiast. I also feel passionately about women supporting women and have enjoyed networking with other women in my local community.

I have experience working with young adults for the past 12 years in both education and therapy settings. I provide mental health and substance use counseling with the goal of helping you better understand yourself, what you need, and how to make that possible.

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!

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.

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.

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’m passionate about and dedicated to helping people achieve meaningful and sustainable changes that align with their core values and aspirations. I deeply enjoy working with adolescents, college students, and young adults. I have a lot of experience supporting the LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities. I believe therapy is most successful when we find the path that truly supports the growth you’re seeking. In our work together, we will find an approach that fits your unique needs, drawing from my experience with a range of therapeutic orientations, including trauma-informed therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, and relational approaches. When I’m not working, I enjoy skiing, traveling, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. I also love curling up with a good book, watching a great movie or TV show, and most of all, I cherish spending time with friends and loved ones. If you are interested in working with me, please navigate to Aspire Psychology's website and click "Schedule an Appointment". Education & Licenses: MSW, Simmons University Clinical Social Worker, OR #L15328 | MA #123176 EMDR Certification (In Progress)

Our practice is tailored to each unique individual, couple, group or family that we have the honor to support. We provide you with a comfortable and relaxed setting, confidentiality and safety, warmth, humor and a genuine interest in helping you achieve your goals and realize your full potential. We are open to working with whatever your concerns are and to who you are without judgment. We will guide you through your healing journey with patience and empathy as we explore together the patterns you want to change or the uncomfortable feelings you need to process. We welcome your feedback along the way and we will provide you with connection and support. Upon completion of your process, you will find that unhealthy lifelong patterns are released, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addictions are a thing of the past, relationships are healthier and peace within yourself is achieved.

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.

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.

Among all the uncertainties of life, making the choice to start therapy is yet another risky plunge into the unknown. Before you decide to give me a call I’d like to try and give you a sense of who I am and what it might be like for us to sit together. Although my title is doctor, my clients call me Sarah. I think of my role as one of accompaniment, you’re the lead and it’s my job to follow your pace, your volume, your moments of free expression. Together we get curious in a way that is, open, receptive, and non-judgmental. Sometimes this process is playful, and sometimes I encourage us to look deeper at the hard things. I am always holding your experience with profound respect and the certainty that you have been doing your best to survive in a world that challenges your flexibility. Whether you’re somewhere along the path of higher education or starting off your career, the challenges of young adult life are uniquely complex and ripe for psychological distress. At this stage in life, you may find yourself with more questions than answers and more pressures than solutions. Stressors and concerns may run the gamut from challenges in relationships, family conflict, financial/housing/food insecurity, or answering questions like, “Who am I” and “What do I want in life?” I can appreciate the need for a space to unpack it all, take a step back, and find more clarity.

I love working with college students as it is such a formative time as a young adult. College can be challenging as you navigate your way along the path while figuring out your direction in life. I work best with those who are not afraid to do the work that comes along with being in therapy. You get out of it what you put into it, basically. It is important for me that my clients feel comfortable and that they can be themselves around me. I like to check in with my clients on occasion to make sure we are on the right track to achieving your therapy goals. I mostly do talk therapy and have been trained in EMDR, which is a modality that is used to resolve traumatic memories and events.

I have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students, having worked in college counseling centers since 2009 and I enjoy supporting clients through personal identity exploration, role changes, and life transitions including sexuality and gender exploration, parenthood, and loss. Additionally, I am a supportive presence for those recovering from experiences of interpersonal violence and oppressive experiences.

At LiveWell, we give personalized psychiatric and wellness support to adolescents and young adults with a variety of needs and backgrounds. If you're between 15 and 55, feeling weighed down by ADHD, anxiety, depression, or major life changes, we're here for you. Whether you're juggling school, work, or relationships and it all feels like too much, we get it. Out goal is to offer practical tips, help ease your symptoms, and empower you to own your days. We cater to young adults and middle-agers aiming to find that sweet spot in life's chaos. Our style is straightforward and honest. We believe in meeting you where you are and tackling what matters most to you. We're big on telehealth for flexibility, dealing with major topics like mood, focus, physical wellness, sexual health, and addiction... without any medical jargon.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with adults who are experiencing a wide variety of mental health issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, relationship conflict, and trauma recovery. In addition to individual work, I also provide family therapy and parenting consultation, when indicated, to support parents and promote healthy communication and interactions. I strive to help each person feel safe enough to be open and honest about the state of their life. I believe that we all deserve someone that will listen without judgement and support us through life’s difficult moments. Through therapy, you can begin to make sense of your emotions, decrease your distress, and experience more fulfilling relationships. I utilize an integrative approach to psychotherapy, drawing from both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic forms of treatment. I seek to help you better understand the root cause of your pain as well as discover practical strategies that will help to shift patterns of thinking and behavior that lie behind your difficulties. I view therapy as collaborative in nature and my hope is that we can partner together to help you make positive changes in your life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Jon Haley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He was born and raised in Michigan and received bachelors degrees in Spanish Language and Political Science from Alma College, and his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jon has work experience in the government, non-profit sector, child welfare, in-patient, and outpatient mental health. Jon enjoys working with, adolescents, adults, and couples. His specialties include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-informed), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Couples Therapy and providing mental health support for the LGBTQ+ and veteran communities. Jon has experience working with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. His therapeutic framework is person-centered and environment focused. When outside of the office, Jon likes to spend time in the outdoors, take care of his plants, walk his miniature poodle Harvey Milk and listen to NPR. A message from Jon: “Thank you for reading my profile. It’s truly a privilege to be allowed into my client’s lives. I believe that everyone is trying the best they can with the resources available to them. I help my clients balance between acceptance of their current situation, and implementing change strategies to build the “life worth living” that they want and deserve. This is the essence of DBT - engaging in the dialectic, the balance of two opposite ideals. Taking that first step in seeking out help is often the hardest, but can also be the most rewarding. I look forward to working with you.” “You cannot think yourself into a new way of acting, you can only act yourself into a new way of thinking.” –Marsh Linehan