Therapists for college students near Portland, OR
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.
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.
College can feel like a lot to manage at once. Classes, friendships, dating, family expectations, and trying to figure out who you are and what you’re doing with your life. I work with students who are dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and relationship stress. A lot of the people I see are functioning well on the outside, but internally feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like they’re constantly overthinking everything. Therapy can help you quiet the mental noise, understand your emotions without getting taken over by them, and feel more grounded in your decisions and relationships. You get to slow down, sort through what’s actually going on, and focus on what matters to you. My approach is practical and collaborative. We start with your goals and what’s not working right now, then build clear, research-based strategies to help you feel better. I also pay attention to patterns, like overthinking, people-pleasing, or relationship dynamics that keep repeating, so you can understand them and shift them long-term. You know your life better than anyone. My role is to help you make sense of it and move forward in a way that feels right to you. I provide out of pocket sessions at a reduced rate with limited pro bono sessions available. If you’re curious about working together, you can reach out for a quick consultation and see if it feels like a good fit.
With over a decade of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rachel has seen firsthand the profound transformation that compassionate care can bring. Her mission is to empower clients with strategies to unlock their most confident, courageous, and authentic selves. She is honored to guide others as insight from their work together enables them to navigate challenges and build resilience. Rachel deeply appreciates the courage it takes to try something different. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Pacific University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah. Her clinical experience includes working with children and adults in medical settings, with over ten years at a Portland-based children's hospital. Most recently, she has supported children and families navigating chronic illness. Rachel takes an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring interventions to each client’s unique needs. Throughout her career, she has worked as a group facilitator, crisis worker, case manager, and trauma responder, providing compassionate, evidence-based care in complex situations. Rachel lives in Oregon with her spouse, daughter, and their Golden Irish, Yoshi. As a family, they value balance and time outdoors—you’ll often find them rock climbing, hiking, or camping in the Pacific Northwest.
Using a warm, authentic and curious approach to therapy, Hava’s main goal is to support individuals in their movement toward healthy and sustainable insight and growth. She often uses humor and playfulness to foster this process and considers it an honor to be able to bear witness to someone’s journey. Hava works from a trauma-informed perspective, utilizing psychodynamic approaches that are tailored to each individual’s unique life experience. She often uses components of Narrative Therapy, attached-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Somatic practices, Gestalt and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in her work with peoples. Tenants of Carl Rogers are integral to her therapeutic work; unconditional positive regard and non-judgment for others, which in turn fosters a safe and supportive space for people to authentically express themselves. Hava builds upon what she believes is the innate resilience and strengths within people. Hava specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ population, adults, tweens and teenagers, with anxiety, depression, complex trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and grief and loss. Hava is also trained in the EAGALA model of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Please inquire with her regarding this option for therapy sessions. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is a form of experiential therapy where clients learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. Through observations of the horses and hands-on activities, clients are able to see their life mirrored by the herd. The focus on the horses allows clients to externalize their problems, see them from a different point of view, and process those findings in a safe environment. Hands-on activities help clients find their own solutions and overcome challenges. Progress made in the arena transforms clients’ realities, as they encounter realizations, solutions, and different ways of acting in their relationships. Horses are part of this process for several reasons. Horses are prey animals, so they are acutely aware of the people in their space, and what those people are bringing into the arena. Horses are herd animals, so they are adept at transmitting that information through body language. This provides clients a fascinating mirror into their own lives, making their issues visible and tangible. Once they see this problem/behavior more objectively, they can make a positive change. After the change is made in the arena, it helps them make the change in their lives. EAP helps the client gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.
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 provide individual therapy to people ages 18 and up. I specialize in working with queer and trans people, pot-stirrers, and outsiders. I enjoy working with people who are confronting major identity shifts, people who are navigating issues with their families of origin, and people who are trying to envision a future they never imagined themselves in (What is middle age? What is aging in queer spaces? How can I live meaningfully in late stage capitalism?).
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I am a holistic, trauma-informed therapist with a background in CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Feminist theory. I am well-versed in 12-step recovery programs including individuals and families dealing with addiction and alcoholism. I have worked in hospital, school, and community-based settings, which have challenged and shaped my knowledge and interests. Navigating big life transitions are my specialty; whether you are shifting careers, your identity, or your boundaries with others.
Tyler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I). His approach is grounded in Transpersonal Psychology, EMDR, Jungian Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Depth Psychology. He believes deeply in the power of the therapeutic relationship to create lasting transformation—both individually and collectively. Tyler’s clinical experience includes inpatient behavioral health, intensive addiction treatment, individual counseling, and outpatient care at a combat trauma clinic. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado. In addition to traditional modalities, Tyler is a 400-hour certified breathwork facilitator and a 200-hour certified Tantra Yoga teacher. He integrates somatic, breath-based, and embodied practices into his work and currently serves as a ketamine-assisted therapist at a clinic in Portland, Oregon. A veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Tyler brings a grounded and compassionate understanding of trauma, helping clients explore how painful experiences can be transformed into paths of resilience, wholeness, and personal empowerment. Whether you’re navigating trauma, addiction, identity, or the call to deeper self-awareness, Tyler meets you where you are—helping you reconnect with your innate wisdom and capacity for transformation.
With over 12 years experience providing mental health therapy, I pride myself on my ability to connect and build strong relationships with all kinds of people. My therapy is based in our relationship – it’s the vessel for building trust, rapport and from which change emerges. My style is energetic and conversational, using the language of emotion to explore our body’s responses and reactions to issues. I specialize in investigating trauma, relationship difficulties, substance use issues and have many years of experience treating depression, anxiety and other frequently experienced mental health conditions. Equity is a major foundation of both my work and my personal ethic – I have experience treating people from many diverse backgrounds, with recent experience working with folks navigating sexual and gender identity questions. I am open and friendly toward working with individuals exploring kink and other non-traditional relationship styles. Outside of therapy, my passions include music (creating It, listening to it, going to see it!), gardening and preserving food, and spending time with my partner and dog and our friends. I am a keen enjoyer of all things nerdy – from video games to comics and most especially heavy metal music of all kinds. Because I believe in balance, I am also an avid enjoyer of sports, especially soccer and baseball!
The lifelong journey of personal growth and healing creates many opportunities for creativity and connecting with a deeper sense of empowerment. The path to self-realization is an exciting journey. I provide a safe place to explore and break down personal barriers for you enjoy your journey of thriving and living your true self. This is your life. You are worthy! My treatment focus is person-centered and holistic recognizing each person’s identity and culture. I work with struggles related to trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, existential and identity concerns, relationship concerns, and life changes. I incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Creative Therapy, Positive Self-talk, Grief Therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR with tapping, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness Practice while focusing on a personal approach. I provide individual therapy for adults. I will work collaboratively with you to support your self-exploration. It is very important that you have a good match with the person you are working within your journey. It is your best chance to find therapy that works for you. Before we decide to work together, I offer a 15-minute consultation at no cost to you. Finding someone who is a good fit for you is the most important step in your journey.
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.
I offer individual therapy for people recovering from unhealthy relationships and interpersonal trauma. I also provide gender affirming therapy and WPATH letters for gender affirming surgeries. I create a supportive space in which you can feel seen, understood, and accepted, and in which your lived experience and your values are centered. I offer in-person therapy sessions in Portland, Oregon, and telehealth sessions throughout California and Oregon. I admire the bravery it takes to begin therapy. For those of us who have been harmed in relationships, it takes time to build trust. Together, we'll decide on a pace and process that feels safe and supportive. Visit flourishauthentically.com for more info and to request a free 15-minute call so you can decide if I'm the best fit for your healing journey. My experience and how I work: My work has been dedicated to serving survivors of unhealthy relationships and interpersonal trauma (e.g. intimate partner violence, sexual assault, community violence, immigration trauma, intergenerational trauma, and systemic and historical oppression). I’ve specialized in supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, complex health issues, chronic pain, and substance use in relationship to trauma. I’ve worked extensively with gender-expansive (Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, etc.) clients and provided WPATH assessments/letters for gender affirming surgeries. I am a compassionate, experienced, and affirming therapist, working from a feminist and liberatory framework. I identify as a white, queer, cisgender able-bodied woman with lived experience relevant to my work. I think about identity, suffering, and healing in the context of the oppressive systems that impact peoples’ lives (e.g. patriarchy, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia, fatphobia, ableism, etc.), and understand that healing ourselves in turn benefits our loved ones and communities. I create a supportive space in which you can feel seen, understood, believed, and in which your lived experience and your values are centered. I am aware of the power dynamics that exist in a therapeutic relationship, especially when our identities differ, and welcome this often-avoided issue into the room. No need to perform or edit yourself. This is a chance to show up as your full brave self.
If you’re looking for a supportive and easy-to-talk-to therapist, to help you achieve your goals, we may be a good fit. I help adults and adolescents that are struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD and relationship issues. I help students trying to find their place in life. I also help men overcome anger issues that may negatively impact their quality of life. I practice CBT, ACT, and DBT. I work with business owners, creatives, students, athletes, musicians, writers, therapists, teenagers and more. Together, we will find solutions to your struggles so you live your rich and meaningful life. I do telehealth and walk-and-talk therapy, aka ecotherapy. We'll either meet online or at a park in Portland and walk for 50 minutes. Ecotherapy gives you exercise, forest bathing and talk therapy. Couples, men and trauma survivors often prefer ecotherapy since walking often increases vulnerability. Together, we'll help you feel better and get better. I owned two businesses before I became a therapist. One appeared on The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. I’m also a father, husband, friend, animal lover, mistake-maker, Little League coach, ex-D 1 athlete and (hopefully) down-to-earth. I strive to bring trust and transparency to my relationships. I believe humility is a superpower. Call or email me and let’s connect!
Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is an Existentialist and a Rogerian, with a down-to-earth approach. As an Existentialist, she believes that people are at greatest ease when they feel a sense of meaningfulness in their life experiences. Everything that happens to us, shadowy or light-filled, holds valuable lessons for growth and makes us all that we are, and all that we have the potential to be. As a Rogerian, her therapeutic style is to provide safety and unconditional positive regard to those with whom she is working. Rogerian therapists typically believe that through modeling unconditional positive regard to you, you may catch on to the idea and begin to similarly value yourself. The end result is increased self-esteem and efficacy in the world. Linda has been counseling people in the Portland area for over a decade and has extensive training and experience in her field. She is specially trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. These modalities contain practical tools that will help you to recognize unhelpful thought patterns that often have people repeating the same life circumstances over and over. The more we can look at and recognize our contribution to our circumstances, the more likely our circumstances are to improve.
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.
I provide online therapy for individuals and couples in Oregon and Washington, and in person therapy in the Hood River area. Therapy is an opportunity to engage with someone authentically and without judgement. Someone who cares about you though is not attached to the choices you make as a friend or family member might be. Someone with many years of experience and training in mental health, who is actively engaged in their own personal growth journey as well. I provide therapy that is relational, present focused, grounded in experience, and centered in the therapeutic alliance. The relationship between myself and my client(s) is the foundation of the work and is built on trust and a genuine connection. Though the work emerges out of the here and now experience between client(s) and therapist, it also investigates how the past shapes our character, choices, and life in the present. I am a Gestalt therapist and utilize concepts such as compassion, acceptance, and mindfulness to guide the work. I often incorporate EMDR and IFS approaches. I value and respect difference and work with clients from all backgrounds, orientations, and cultures. My goal in the work is to raise awareness so that the client has more agency in their life. Clients’ goals typically include feeling better, gaining insight, or managing life more skillfully. Common presenting issues are depression, anxiety, trauma responses, difficulty navigating relationships, managing emotions, and more. The work can be long term and in depth, and/or it can be shorter term and focused on tangible change. I am happy to offer a free brief phone consultation so we can decide if we are a good fit.
Margaret has over 25 years of experience working in various areas of the field of Mental Health. Margaret specializes in trauma, abuse, special needs, loss and grief and life transitions. She has training in Sensory Integration, Neuroeducation, Applied Behavioral Analysis, EMDR, and Life Span Integration. Her background and life experiences led her to a multivariate approach when collaborating with clients and the people who support them. She has been trained in traditional therapies but prefers modalities such as Lifespan Integration, EMDR, and Neuroeducation. She works with the client through a learning process anchored in movement to treat at the root cause while activating, integrating, and building on positive connections within their relationship with self, family and others. Margaret has been with her husband for 33 years. They have two adopted children and a biological son with severe complex neurological conditions resulting in severe behaviors and medical challenges.
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.