Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

I work with relationship issues and sexuality, certified as a Relationship Therapist through the Gottman Institute of Seattle. I am also certified as a Sex Therapist through AASECT, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Several years ago I realized I am autistic and now I address issues experienced by people who are autistic/ Asperger's or those who wonder whether they may carry that diagnosis. I also see people with other forms of neurodivergence such as ADHD. Originally I am from Boston and grew up in a working class family with a commitment to political activism. I am licensed in NY and FL as well as Oregon and Washington State. Although I offer some reduced fee spots I am sorry to say they are consistently full.

I work with clients from all walks of life—whoever you are, wherever you are on your path, I welcome you just as you are. I connect well with clients who are curious about themselves & the world, have a sense of humor, and are motivated to engage in the process of therapy. I particularly enjoy working with folks who are new to therapy and those who are motivated to roll their sleeves up and get to work.

Do you worry constantly, have a persistent fear of failure or judgement and feel on edge with just about anything? Feeling like you’re not good enough, not living the life you want to live, or that you’ve lost touch with the things that bring you happiness with little hope that you can live life in a fulfilling way? Have you had a traumatic experience that left you feeling disconnected and having a hard time trusting people, with the need to protect and numb yourself? These things can impact our physical and mental wellbeing, keep us up at night, make us feel disconnected from the people closest to us and reduce our ability to achieve what we want in life. I may be able to help. I have experience guiding people with these concerns to make meaningful changes to increase their satisfaction with life. A sense of safety, confidence, hope, fulfillment and loving connections with your important people is what I work to achieve with you and it can be done. Research shows that 75% of people experience positive results after seeing a therapist. One of the most important predictors of positive outcomes in therapy is the therapeutic alliance, or the partnership between therapist and client. Therapeutic alliance means shared decision-making, mutual respect, non-judgement, empathy and understanding in the therapy room. I focus heavily on these elements so we can work smarter and not harder and to create an alliance that produces the results you want in therapy.

The therapeutic relationship is the key to my approach. Together we will build strong therapeutic relationship through mutual trust and understanding. This creates a safe environment for self-exploration, growth and development. I believe that if we work collaboratively we can identify problems and personalize treatment direction. My goal is to help you cope with your daily struggles, improve resiliency and create lasting change. With the right skills, each individual has the capacity to accomplish their goals. I specialize in effective therapy for individuals who are suffering from depression, anxiety, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, low self-esteem and assertiveness issues as well as survivors of trauma, and domestic violence.

At Assert Your Boundaries Counseling, we provide trauma-informed therapy for adults, couples, and professionals across Oregon and Washington. We specialize in EMDR therapy, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, burnout, life transitions, and culturally responsive mental health care. Led by Dr. Pauline Botchway, our practice offers compassionate, evidence-based support for individuals seeking healing, growth, and healthier boundaries. We work with clients navigating trauma, stress, identity concerns, workplace challenges, and emotional overwhelm. Our practice also provides clinical supervision for LPC associates and supports clients seeking accessible, inclusive care in a welcoming environment. We offer both in-person and telehealth therapy sessions.

I work with those who are committed to the long-term work of healing complex trauma and attachment wounding through experiential work. I specialize in working with activists, artists and healers, and particularly those who are ready for deep transformative healing, so they can better do their work in the world, from a place of clarity and internal peace.

As a therapist, I’m inspired by being a part of the growth and healing process. Personally and professionally, I value bringing more kindness, vulnerability, self-compassion and creativity to the world. I enjoy working with a large range of clients and I specialize in helping clients heal from depression and anxiety, improve their interpersonal skills and overcome unwanted habits. I focus on creating a therapeutic atmosphere where people can truly feel safe, grounded, and open to exploration. Working with me means we will explore evidence based approaches and techniques, in a flexible way with attention to your needs.

Our compassionate and skills counselors help people grow more into themselves and their resilience. With a strengths-based, culturally-affirming, trauma-informed approach, we can support you through the stress of what life is bringing you. A therapeutic relationship is powerful and productive. We're here to see you do well, all the way through the hard and heartache, and into a hopeful future. If you are struggling but motivated to process, reflect, and experience some change, this is the right time to connect with us! We look forward to next steps with you. You can learn more about us and start the process through our website: www.SecondGrowthCounseling.com

I am a registered LPC and Clinical Art Therapist. I use art and talk therapy to support healing and positive change. I love working with individuals who are processing life challenges that are impacting their quality of existence, whether they are internal feeling or body states and/or external experiences impacting growth and functioning. I provide support so that they can move through and begin to heal; or increase their own skills while moving towards living their best life. I support individuals to see themselves through the light of their strengths and how they can take those strengths out into the world. I use neuroscientific brain science techniques mixed with art to manage/decrease anxiety and depression and symbolic narrative techniques with art to process trauma and other impactful/stressful life experiences to support integration of self, nervous system regulation and increase positive mood.

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Many of my clients come in feeling weighed down by anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness, eating and body image concerns, and patterns like perfectionism and people-pleasing that feel hard to break. I also work with trauma, relationship patterns, and stress related to school, work, or life transitions. This includes teens and young adults navigating growing independence, or those experiencing family stress such as divorce or major changes at home. I take a relational, collaborative approach to therapy. I draw from CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered therapy in flexible, realistic ways that fit your life. As someone who is neurodivergent and lives with chronic illness, I bring perspectives from both my clinical training and lived experience into our work. Therapy can be a space to slow down and make sense of what you are going through. My role is to help you better understand yourself by uncovering what gets in your way and what actually helps. If you are looking for support, I would be glad to connect and see if working together feels like a good fit.

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!

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.

Do you ever feel like you’re trying to meet everyone else's expectations while quietly struggling yourself? I work with teens, adults, and couples in unpacking childhood trauma, navigating infidelity, tackling life transitions, and motivation struggles. Whether you’re an overwhelmed overachiever, or feeling stuck in a “failure-to-launch” phase, I help clients gain clarity, strengthen relationships, and move forward with greater confidence. If you're looking for a therapist who will support and challenge you through grace, humor, an honesty, I look forward to working with you! :) My approach is rooted in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with elements of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we’ll explore how past and present relationships shape your patterns, emotions, and sense of self—so you can better understand yourself, reduce shame, build confidence, break unhelpful cycles, and create lasting change. Life is full of taboos. The self-doubts, the drama, the ‘I-probably-shouldn’t-say-this’ thoughts. In my office, nothing is too weird or too heavy, and we’ll sort through it together. My hope is that you leave each session feeling a little more seen, a little less alone, and more connected to the parts of yourself you’ve been carrying quietly for too long.

My clinical practice is trauma informed and person centered. I enjoy working with people who are navigating difficulties related to major life transitions, sexual and gender identity development, conflicts within their family of origin, relationship issues and surviving and healing from trauma. I also value and strive to work effectively across cultural, ethnic and racial identities. I am EMDR trained, Internal Family Systems informed and believe strongly in the power of relationships to both form who we are and to heal. I received my MSW degree in 2010 from Smith School for Social Work in Northampton, MA. I have over 13 years of experience providing mental health care in different settings, including Portland State University Counseling Services. 15 minutes free phone consultations available and encouraged. New client slots available starting September 5th, 2023. Currently only offering Telehealth, with potential in-person appointments in the future.

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You don’t need to be fixed because you are not broken! You need to be seen, supported, and empowered. My goal is to help you heal from difficult experiences, learn to listen to your intuition, and trust yourself again. I use various therapeutic modalities that help you calm your mind and body, navigate your emotions and feelings, and heal from trauma. I infuse the therapy space with various alternative tools, such as Human Design, to help you decondition from negative self-beliefs that no longer serve you and to lean into your strengths and unique qualities that are part of your purpose, the things that make you who you are. You are unique and deserve an individualized approach to treatment. I provide a safe and direct therapeutic space where you can heal from trauma and other mental health concerns that fit you and your specific needs. You deserve an ally in creating change and healing in your life. You were never meant to do this alone, and you do not have to anymore. I am glad you are seeking out the support you deserve. Email me or give me a call and we can schedule your free 15-minute consultation now.

Thanks for taking a moment to learn a bit more about me. If you're seeking therapy, I applaud you! Seeking support to navigate chaotic moments in life is not often easy and is also a wonderful gift to give your self. As a therapist, I use a dynamic blend of modalities to support you in a “body first” approach to healing. My style is collaborative and validating. We may integrate art, movement, play therapy, and expressive sand tray work into sessions depending on your comfort. Building our relationship on a basis of shared respect is a huge part of my practice. If you think we’d be a good fit, let's connect!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.