Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

Family Roots Therapy is a group practice that focuses on the mental health needs of families, young children, and parents. We believe that each family has unique needs, and we want to best serve the needs of the entire family. We have multiple therapists with different specialties and can help you find the best fit. Finding the right fit in therapy is important. You should feel heard and understood in therapy. Our therapists' specialties include anxiety, life transition/change, relationships, gender identity, polyamorous relationships, parenting, and postpartum mental health. While we are in-network with some commercial insurance companies, as of November 2021 we only have availability for OHP and direct pay clients. Thank you for your understanding!

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 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

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I collaborate with people to help them live a more authentic, connected life. I approach counseling with a deep empathy and belief in the power of your strengths and encourage insight, empowerment and self-compassion. I rely on the creation of a strong therapeutic relationship and targeted interventions to do so. I work with individuals and families looking to heal their relationship to food and their body; those with eating disorders; people struggling with anxiety and depression, those coping with grief and loss, those who are navigating identity challenges and people healing from personal, systemic and interpersonal trauma. My counseling style is sincere, collaborative, validating and often filled with nerdy metaphors, a good laugh and pet stories.

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.

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here. I view therapy as a means of achieving personal transformation and a way to navigate the challenges of life. So often, we come to counseling not because we don't know what we "should” or “could" do differently, but because we feel stuck. I am committed to walking alongside you and providing opportunities for you to move through challenges, to heal, and to connect with your inner resilience. My theoretical approach is rooted in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral and somatic focused therapy. I approach my work through a trauma-informed lens, which means that I prioritize a sense of safety and compassion when I work with clients. I have specialized experience and training in perinatal mental health, meaning your mental and emotional well-being during pregnancy, birth and postpartum stages. I am a certified EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapist and have completed training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, both are body-centered ways to process emotions and experiences. I am currently studying interpersonal neurobiology and enjoy deepening my understanding of mental health through neuroscience. I am also a registered yoga instructor and often call on the tools of yoga and mindfulness practices. Depending on your needs, we may use some or all of these strategies to achieve your goals. I come to private practice with a background in primary care medical clinics providing integrated behavioral health counseling, and have worked as a child and family therapist and with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I graduated from Portland State University in 2011 with a Masters in Social Work, during which time I completed internships with a refugee resettlement program and at OHSU’s Center for Women's Health. My work as a therapist is grounded in social justice and I am committed to making my practice welcoming as possible for everybody. I am a queer and trans affirming provider and work from an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens.

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.

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.

I work with adolescents, emerging adults, and the people who support their life transitions: college and leaving home, gender identity, and serious relationships. I create clear boundaries, and treat with authenticity and humor. Body positive, action-oriented, culturally responsive, compassionate realism. I provide a free 20 minute consultation to make sure we’re a good fit. Let's talk!

I work with queer and trans clients and offer individual counseling and gender support groups. I love supporting clients in their process of transition– into new identities, relationships, careers, and ways of relating to themselves and others. Everyone’s path of healing and growth is unique; I work together with my clients to find an approach that feels right for them, honoring their wisdom, strengths, and preferences. My style is integrative– drawing from narrative therapy, IFS, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices. I meet my clients with deep respect for their process and approach our work together with creativity, curiosity, warmth and an open heart.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 15 years experience in the field. I earned my Masters in Counseling from George Fox University in 2010 and my Bachelors in Psychology from PSU in 1993. My clinical specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, life transitions, addictions and burnout. I believe we all have our own inner wisdom and guidance, and therapy is a process of getting in touch with that. Insight is valuable and yet we often need more than that, including a compassionate witness, and skilled guidance through the change process. I value the therapeutic relationship and am an engaged therapist, doing my best to attune to where you are and what can best serve you in our work. I use evidence-based practices that are client-centered and Mind/Body/Spirit oriented. I have been trained in multiple modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I am also currently enrolled in the IFS certification program after having completed Level 1 training. Outside of therapy I enjoy the great outdoors, especially hiking and trail running, caring for stray/feral cats, meditating, listening to music and connecting with friends/community. I welcome all races, all religions, all socio-economic status, all sexual orientations, all gender identities and expressions, all abilities, all ethnicities, all bodies, ALL PEOPLE.

Hi, I’m Abby (she/her). I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and EMDR trained Mental Health Therapist based in Portland, Oregon. I’m so glad you’re here because this life is complex! When chaos or stagnation become the norm, accessing collaborative and nonjudgmental support to better understand your unique experience of the world can be pivotal. I’m honored to hold space for deep suffering, as well as celebrations of beauty. I look forward to connecting with you!

Sometime we need help with today's stress or past experiences. I worked in college counseling at large state schools and small liberal arts campus for five years. I have knowledge about how to navigate campus systems and some unique aspects of college life. I love walking with folks through life transitions, including entering or exiting college and grad school, and relationships. I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual assault, and dissociation. I was trained as a generalist mental health counselor and have held positions as a trauma specialist. I have a passion for working with queer folks, nonbinary folks, and trans individuals. I enjoy working with neurodivergent clients. I believe that trust and choice are essential to therapy. Therapy can increase understanding of your emotions and mind. This understanding can increase feelings of empowerment and trust in yourself. I am EMDRIA certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). If you are curious if we are a good fit, please reach out for a free 15 minute virtual consultation!

I work well with students who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, low mood, or emotions that seem too big to manage, and who want to understand what's going on, not just be handed a prescription. Many of the people I see are trying medication for the first time and feel nervous about it. Some are carrying difficult or painful experiences from their past. Some are just exhausted and unsure where to start. I take time. Appointments aren't rushed, and I want to understand your story before we make any decisions together. You'll never be pushed to move faster than you're comfortable with, and you're always welcome to keep seeing your own therapist or counselor while I help with the medication side. If you've been putting off reaching out because talking to a psychiatrist feels intimidating, I try to make it feel like a conversation instead.

I hope to build a strong working relationship with people and be curious about them. Beyond that, my approach in therapy generally focuses on people’s rich and complex lives. I focus on how people experience and express their emotions, paying particular attention to times when this seems blocked for them. I help people explore life patterns, with an eye on supporting people’s freedom and flexibility. I also pay close attention to the relationships and experiences people have with others, as these shape who we are. Finally, I always consider people’s social context, such as cultural identity, family history, socioeconomic background, education, and experiences of exclusion and inclusion.

I help people access greater psychological and emotional wellness by working through trauma, unhealthy relational patterns, and old beliefs. If you find that family or romantic relationships are difficult, you are socially isolated, your career or school performance is suffering, or you struggle with anxiety, depression or loss, therapy can help. Our work together can allow you to cultivate deeper self-understanding and acceptance, which are the stepping-stones to a more vital, engaged, and fulfilling life. I am experienced working with depression, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses, but I never see my clients as simply a diagnosis. I see race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and age as relevant to your experience and to therapy.

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 specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an evidence based treatment for specific challenges like OCD, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and depression. This requires a collaborative and supportive process tailored to each individual. With the right treatment it is possible to see significant changes in symptoms so you can spend more time pursing what is most important to you. I am offering primarily telehealth based appointments within Oregon and in-person appointments within the Portland area as needed. Treatment is focused on creating behavioral changes, starting with areas where symptoms have had the most significant, and negative life-impacts. Focusing on one small change at a time can lead to greater freedom from symptoms, and more time spent actively pursuing what is most important in your life.

The particularity of our stories matter. Even stories of harm and shame are evident of our desperate and deepest attempts to be seen in our aliveness together. Despite the sufferings and stressors that may plague our lives, I believe your inner world holds a beautiful hearth that longs to center you and call you home. By working together from a place of safety and empowerment, I am interested in exploring together what it means to heal and live a life that you find meaningful. As a Relational Psychodynamic therapist, I bring a depth of training that honors the beautiful complexities of the human spirit, as well as the belief that what arises in the therapy session is always worth our attention and curiosity. I specialize in working with trauma, grief, shame, anxiety, life transitions, relationship dynamics, and more. I strive to practice with an open mindset that is culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive. What arises in you will always be worthy of love, presence, and curiosity during our work together. I admire your openness and commitment to taking the next step. If you think we may work well together or have any questions, I would love to chat more!