While some people seek therapy to address a specific problem such as anxiety or depression, others use therapy as an aid for personal growth, learning about themselves, or reaching their full potential. When I meet a new client, the most important thing is to get to know them and build a safe, trusting relationship. I strive to be compassionate and nonjudgmental and want clients to feel free to be themselves and get in touch with what matters most. This can involve feeling painful emotions and facing things that they have avoided. This is not easy to do, but it’s courageous and ultimately rewarding. I am highly encouraging and patient as clients take steps toward their goals. It really is possible to break out of old habits and rigid thought patterns that keep us stuck! While much of therapy involves talking and sharing, I also incorporate skills-building, learning about emotions, goal setting, or out-of-session exercises.
In therapy, I use evidence-based methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). When working with clients, I take time to highlight their strengths, connect them with their inner wisdom, and show them how to be kinder and more accepting of themselves. I also draw on my own experiences working in diverse settings to take into account each client’s unique set of prior life experiences, cultural background, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and potential experiences with systemic power imbalances. I value principles of equity and inclusion and want my clients to feel that they are respected, understood, and capable of enacting change in their lives.
I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders (OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), trauma and PTSD, and matters related to the use of psychedelics. I am also experienced in working with depression or general life dissatisfaction, coping with challenging problems, loss or grief, sleep difficulties, and identity issues. I also highly enjoy working with people within the LGBTQ+ community. While I integrate mindfulness principles throughout all my sessions, I also have experience with teaching meditation for clients interested in a more serious study of mindfulness or who are interested in developing a regular mindfulness practice. As an active researcher, I also value keeping up to date with the most recent developments in therapy technologies so that I can bring the best treatment that science has to offer. Ultimately, I wish to draw upon all of my training and experience to help clients be their best selves.
Psychedelic Safety and Integration Services
In addition to the above, I am passionate about the potential for psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ayahuasca to be used as tools for personal growth and in the treatment of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. I have been studying psychedelics for over 20 years, including earning an M.A. in East-West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and attending numerous trainings and conferences. I am involved in several research studies on psychedelics at Portland Psychotherapy, such as a clinical trial investigating the use of MDMA to treat social anxiety, as well as public education and advocacy to reduce stigma associated with psychedelic use.
Portland Psychotherapy strives to make quality, evidence-based mental health services available to all members of our community. Supporting diversity and inclusivity is a core value at Portland Psychotherapy. You can read more about our practices related to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racist practice here.
OUR MISSION
is to use science to develop and guide compassionate, effective treatment and contribute to the wider community through research and training. We offer individual and group therapy and can provide low fee/sliding scale services to those in financial need.
EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPY
is at the heart of our practice. We are dedicated to treating psychological problems with methods based on the best science available. We specialize in a form of cognitive-behavior therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which has been shown in empirical studies to be effective for a wide variety of psychological problems.
RESEARCH
drives everything we do. Several of our therapists are also researchers, which means that we stay up-to-date on what the research says about what works. If we can’t provide what we think is the best treatment for what a client is struggling with, we will do our best to refer them to an appropriate treatment.
SPECIALTY CARE
We do not try to be something for everyone, but instead are a group of specialists, each with our own focus areas. Portland Psychotherapy also has a specific anxiety disorder clinic and depression treatment clinic. Please go to our specialties page to learn more.
OUR UNIQUE MODEL
Portland Psychotherapy is the only place of its kind in the country. We are set up as a social enterprise (similar to a B-Corp) in which the profits from our services go to fund scientific research. By choosing to come to Portland Psychotherapy you are helping to fund independent, scientific research and your investment here helps make a broader impact in our community.