Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

Vista Counseling is a locally owned group practice comprising a diverse team of licensed and pre-licensed therapists with various specialties. Our dedicated Intake Specialist team is committed to matching you with the therapist best suited to meet your needs. We are in-network with all major insurance providers, including Kaiser. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to wellness!

My practice is guided by the belief that every person strives to do the best they can. The individual or family system may need assistance in developing necessary skills and guidance in solving problems. Working collaboratively with clients I help them to narrate new ways of interacting with their environment. I work with several young adults / young professionals as they navigate major life transitions (college, grad school, careers, families and parenting) and the accompanying challenges (ie: depression, anxiety, ADHD, isolation, imposter syndrome, challenging relationships, perfectionism). A major part of my practice is helping clients with trauma - esp developmental trauma.

My practice is attachment-based, trauma-informed therapy that is neurobiologically grounded. I am an EMDR-certified (EMDRIA-approved) therapist and integrate EMDR with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Somatic Processing Therapy (SPT), and Motivational Interviewing to support healing at both cognitive and body-based levels. I believe the mind and body heal together — sometimes one leads, sometimes the other — but sustainable change happens when we address both.

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 that anyone can benefit from therapy. Whether you’re facing life’s challenges, experiencing anxiety or depression, or you are just interested in growth and strengthening your sense of self; we all need a neutral person to talk to from time to time. I carry with me a warm, grounded presence. I have a nonjudgmental demeanor and prefer to avoid giving advice, but instead work together to explore options and possible solutions to issues. I have an eclectic approach that is primarily rooted in psychodynamics and tailored to the needs of the individual and their circumstances. I am open to working with anyone interested in pursuing therapy; some examples of challenges I am skilled at working with are anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, grief, life transitions, relationships, gender, sexuality, family issues, existential challenges, and individuation. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and poly friendly

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!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My counseling style is warm, compassionate, casual and accepting. I want you to know you are seen and heard, and I am curious about what it’s like to be you in the world. I strongly believe that you are the expert on you and that, once given a little time to breathe in a safe space, you will begin to connect to important parts of yourself that will foster healing and growth. I will be your partner in this process, helping you to gain fresh insight, feel self-compassion, and see your strengths.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

Many students come to therapy feeling stressed, anxious, or stuck in patterns that hold them back. Balancing school, relationships, and life changes can feel overwhelming. Therapy provides a supportive space to pause, reflect, and explore your experiences. I work with students to navigate emotions, stress, and relationship challenges while building coping skills and self-understanding. Together, we focus on what matters most to you and make meaningful changes in a supportive, relational space. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and I honor that courage. You’ll have a gentle, safe space to process challenges, reflect on your experiences, and build confidence as you move through school and life.

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.

Each member of our collaborative practice operates through a trauma-informed, intersectional lens. We bring different specialties to our work that can help you process trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and offer the support you need in a way that helps you move toward living the life you want.

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 support college students through relationships, academics, anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, and trauma. Working toward goals in these areas of life can be stressful and overwhelming, and you don't have to do it alone! Together we will partner to identify your needs, develop ways of getting through the day to day, and make lasting changes. Feel tree to text, call, or email me, and we can get started right away.

If you woke up tomorrow and your life was exactly how you wanted it to be, what would be different? Maybe you’re feeling stuck and weighed down by the past, and you want to be unburdened and able to move forward with your life. Perhaps you want to manage stress better, improve relationships, or feel less depressed and worried. You may want support around uncertainty, grief, anxiety, or fear related to the world around you, with concerns related to discrimination, politics, or the future of our country and world. Whatever you are facing right now, therapy can be a powerful tool for creating meaningful and lasting change. I support clients in healing from past pain and lessening its impact on life now using EMDR and other modalities. My approach is integrative and personalized. With warmth and authenticity, I collaboratively work with clients to put the past in the past, create healthier patterns, live more fully, and move forward with greater freedom.

Accepting new clients! I offer relational, affirming, & approachable therapy for teens and young adults (14-24ish) that helps navigate the often turbulent times of adolescence & emerging adulthood. I work with young people so that they can feel less alone and more connected to a greater understanding of themselves, their joy, and how to move through hardship. As a therapist, my goal is to create a warm, open, and non-judgmental space where you can feel more understood, connected, and supported. I believe that healing happens within trusting relationships and that we shouldn’t have to go through difficulty alone.

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

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.