Therapists for college students near Portland State University

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi! I'm Hazel. As a queer, trans, and Latinx person, I've experienced my own challenges with finding a therapist who truly listened and understood me. This propelled me to start my journey to becoming a therapist over 10 years ago. Many of my clients are LGBTQIA+, Latinx/e/a/o, BIPOC, college students, academics, artists, and/or activists. They're trying to manage life transitions, identity exploration, family relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, marginalization, stress, relationship issues, land so much more. It’s my hope that through our work, you will find new pathways of resilience, freedom, growth, pleasure, and balance.

I work with students who are experiencing OCD, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, perfectionism and queer identity exploration. College can be challenging. I'm here to help support you and guide you through this process. You're not alone in your struggle.

We all deserve lives full of joy, opportunity and love. Too often though, we find ourselves in places or periods where these basic needs feel scarce. They may even feel blocked all together, sometimes in ways or for reasons that are outside of our control. Working from a stance of curiosity, compassion, and non-judgment, my hope is to partner with you in building the skills and tools to navigate whatever life throws at you. Through our work together, I will aim to support you in fostering the vulnerability to love yourself and others, the strength to approach pain, and the flexibility to touch meaning and passion even on your hardest days. I ground my practice in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and other mindfulness-based practices. While I’m excited to work with clients navigating a wide variety of issues, I specialize in supporting clients who are navigating experiences of hopelessness or powerlessness to build out lives with more meaning, space, and joy. This includes those struggling with self-harm and suicidality, trauma, anxiety, and depression, as well as those looking to increase self-compassion. If it sounds like I might be a good fit for you, give me a call or a text! We can schedule a consultation and talk through what you’re looking for. Alternatively, if you would like to know more about me, my background, or training before reaching out, feel free to check out my website.

Hello, my name is Sarah Nelson (she/her/hers), I come to my work as a therapist holding tight to the knowledge that all people want to live meaningful lives with deep loving connection to others. Perhaps you are feeling a loss of meaning, a loss of connection, or are in the midst of a life transition and that has led you here. Whatever has led you to seek therapy, I am glad you are here and I welcome you as you are, as you were, and as you would like to be. I approach my work with a desire to connect and to understand, to hold hope, and to guide towards insight. As a counseling psychologist I am trained to work with a wide variety of presenting concerns and within many modalities. My approach to therapy is rooted in warmth and connection and you: who you are, where you come from, and what is meaningful to you. Our work together will be deep and relational. Within this person-centered approach I bring attention to early attachment and current relationships through the lens of feminist liberation psychology. This lens means that I see your context on a historical, local, and cultural scale as inextricable from your current mental health. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY: I provide person-centered, holistic, and contextualized individual counseling that is rooted in attachment, connection, liberation and social justice. I am trained to work with a variety of concerns and using a variety of modalities and most often work with: anxiety, depression, identity development and transitions, grief and loss, relationship concerns, sleep concerns, transgender mental health, sexuality, and existential concerns. COUNSELING FOR TRANSITIONS: The transitions into and out of college and into and out of careers and jobs are frequently moments of fear and anxiety. These transitions can also be seasons of growth in self-understanding and moments for powerful shifts in identity. I have specialized training in career and academic counseling as well as business consultation and leadership development. I offer person-centered, compassionate, and contextualized therapy for these seasons of transformation, whether you are: transitioning from college, moving between jobs, reentering the job-market after family leave, longing for a more balanced work and home life, or developing your ability to lead. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: I offer psychosocial affirming evaluations for gender affirming and confirming surgeries and interventions following the WPATH standards of care guidelines. I am able to provide these assessments and letters of support to any resident of Oregon. I am committed to making such assessments accessible. PERINATAL AND PARENTING SUPPORT: The seasons of pregnancy and parenthood are marked by layered, sacred, and complex transitions and changes in identity and relationships. I offer inclusive, holistic, and holding therapy for individuals who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, have experienced pregnancy loss or fertility concerns, abortion, miscarriage, or for those who are transitioning to parenthood or have parenting concerns. I am particularly interested in helping individuals build intentional parenting patterns through better understanding of their own relationships and mental health. I have specialized training in life-span development, particularly in prenatal and postpartum counseling and in parenting.

My clients are often women (but not always) seeking clarity and support around their current life situations, changes, and challenges - Maybe it's trying to work on their self-esteem, while balancing work and/or their studies and social and interpersonal relationships. Maybe it's processing loss/grief/change - including an influential person, a job, a move to a new city, a role in life (parenting). We can identify and practice shame resilience skills. We go through change all the time, and you don't have to be alone with it. My approach is described as active and supportive. I work with clients to address current issues and long-standing challenges. Applying sensitivity, empathy, and compassion, I help individuals bring resolution to a wide range of life challenges and clinical psychological issues. I have also worked in the addictions arena for 17+ years and have experience in alcohol and other substance addiction work. As well as some experience in working with compulsive behaviors such as gambling, shopping, and internet usage.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe the role of a therapist is to be more than a reflective and empathetic companion in the client’s journey and must also incorporate directive approaches in order to alternate between being a companion and being a leader on that journey. Inherent in this belief is that clients are coming to therapy because they want something different than what they currently have. This can be as simple as a new perspective on a past or current struggle or as complex as a new skill set for managing and overcoming emotional, behavioral, cognitive, relational, or somatic patterns that have arisen in response to emotional distress. My theoretical orientation is rooted in Systems Theory and I utilize interventions from Family Systems Therapy, Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, ARC, as well as Somatic and Mindfulness based psychotherapies. I have over 15 years of clinical experience working with adolescents, college students, adults, couples, and families. My experience has shown that change is typically hard work and often requires compassionate and collaborative support in order to build new skills. I see clients in both Oregon and Massachusetts and I offer a 30 minute free video or phone consultation to see if I am the right fit for you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My heart's work is connecting with people, holding space for their hurt, and empowering them to reach towards a connected, integrated life. My ideal client is someone who is curious about WHY troubling symptoms exist in the first place; someone who is ready to either step into therapy for the first time (hurrah!) or to step away from traditional talk therapy and begin deeper, more profound healing from the bottom up instead of the top down; someone who is wanting to feel more connected to themselves and others, and to feel more joy. I specialize in treating trauma, dissociative disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and life disturbances of all kinds. I have obtained extensive advanced training in EMDR, dissociative disorders, preverbal trauma, and somatic experiencing. I use EMDR psychotherapy as the framework for my practice and have witnessed amazing results. Jung said "Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul." I will create and hold space for you to just be, and you will find me a warm, experienced, intuitive presence. We will work together to move you towards a more connected, joyful, playful life. I can't wait to meet you!

Therapy offers the opportunity to make lasting positive changes in life and in relationships. By exploring the role the past has played in current difficulties and dissolving old, destructive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, life can be more balanced and joyful. As a licensed therapist, Christopher offers warmth, compassion, support, and insight to this process, with an approach that is direct, non-judgmental, and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Utilizing cognitive-behavioral, emotionally-focused and schema-based therapeutic strategies, Christopher works primarily with individual adults and couples, specializing in depression, anxiety, communication impasses, life transitions, drug and alcohol, loss, abuse, and trauma. Therapeutic change is facilitated by working towards collaboratively building upon inherent strengths and gaining insight into childhood origins of insecure attachment patterns while recognizing how these habitual patterns might be related to current problems. Utilizing the art of non-judgmental awareness – mindfulness – Christopher explores these themes with his clients, by helping them holistically connect with the memories, emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations fundamentally associated with the destructive, repetitive cycles individuals often struggle with. In this way, individuals are empowered to challenge these negative cycles and inevitably bring a greater sense of control, clarity, and balance back into their lives, while awakening inherent wisdom to more adaptively cope with life’s many challenges. Christopher obtained his Masters's degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacific University and currently works as a mental health therapist in private settings and at the hospital psychiatric ICU. Christopher enjoys working with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and lifestyle orientations.

I believe healing happens when we learn to listen to our bodies, our emotions, and the deeper wisdom beneath old patterns. My approach is warm, intuitive, and collaborative. I want therapy to feel like a place where you can slow down, notice what's happening inside, and gently reconnect with the parts of yourself that you've had to protect or push aside. I pay close attention to your nervous system and what it's communicating, helping you shift from survival mode into a greater sense of steadiness and self-connection at a pace that feels safe to you. I draw from EMDR, attachment theory, person-centered therapy, internal family systems, psychodynamic therapy, somatic awareness and others. With these modalities, we won't just talk about experiences but will actually work with how they live in the body. We'll explore where tension settles, emotions get stuck, and where there's room for release or expansion. I’m especially attuned to the impact early relationships have on these issues and shape how we move through the world. My main goal is to help you feel seen, safe, and grounded as you rediscover a sense of ease in your body and your life.

I find I am most helpful working with individual transition age youth and adults seeking help with bipolar and mood disorders, identity exploration, setting boundaries and navigating relationships, learning coping skills, making sense of traumatic experiences, and unpacking privilege and learning to be a better ally. I am comfortable and knowledgeable about topics relating to sex and sexuality, gender affirmation, sex positivity, poly/non-monogamy, and intersections of identity. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been practicing therapy since 2015 and have been in social services for over 15 years, serving youth and adults experiencing legal consequences, houselessness, and severe mental illness in both inpatient and outpatient settings. My style tends to be curious, nonjudgmental and empathic, and I take a relational and collaborative approach. You are going to be putting in hard work and it is my job to be a good guide by offering insights, direction, and skill building. I am trained primarily in narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution focused therapy. I use an anti-oppressive, person centered, and trauma-informed framework. I strive to be culturally sensitive, anti-racist and queer/LGBTQIA+ affirming. I also know that I am not perfect, and I will ask for your honest feedback throughout the therapy process so that I can adjust and adapt my approach to best fit your needs. I am a queer [white cis male] person and have friends and family members with a lovely mix of intersecting identities. I started struggling with my identity, mental illness and legal run ins as a teenager, which led into a career path as a peer advocate, mentor, and mental health provider. I've done a lot of work on myself that I find valuable to my practice. While I believe my personal experience gives me knowledge, insight, and empathy, I also know that everyone has their own unique experiences; I am open to sharing parts of my story with you when it is helpful, whether that is to offer validation, challenge stigma, or to just get to know each other better. A bit more about me: I am a dog dad, artist, and gaymer. My recharging activities include chilling at the dog park, traveling and backpacking with friends, sketching, reading comic books and cooking.

My work with clients is centered around helping people to find the balance in their life. We take time to get to know each each other and to set up the goals that are important to you. You chose the pace at which we move, while I offer suggestions and share observations. Our sessions will provide a safe space for you to share as much or as little as you like. Through discussion and exercises we can get you to feel joy again.

Trauma lives in the body. Yet, we can live too much in our head, cut off from our heart and body, leaving trauma active in us. Together we can process the trauma at a pace that works for you, reaching a personal balance between the heart, body, and mind. The society we live in doesn't always fit our needs, which is enough to create a great deal of anxiety for anyone. We don't all think the same ways, and we are all learning more and more how diverse our brains and experiences in life can be. For neurodiverse people in particular, living in a society tailored to neurotypical individuals, can be outright traumatizing. I support and encourage neurodiverse communication styles, individual ways of thinking, and all varieties of emotional expression in therapy. Allow me to listen and help as you develop your own understanding in your own words. When you can see the what and why of your patterns, I can help you figure out how to heal. I will follow your lead on what you want out of therapy. Seeing so many struggle to deal with the dehumanization and burdens that systemic problems press on us under colonialism and white supremacy, I was drawn to therapy with a lens for justice and equity. I deeply value the rapport we can build together, and would feel honored and humbled if you share your story with me. I would love to collaborate with you on your healing journey. To make sure I meet your needs, I offer a free 15 minute meet and greet consultations by phone or video call, to see if I am a good fit for you. Please email me to schedule a consultation if you are curious or interested.

All bios and profiles can be viewed on our website: portlandpsychotherapy.com. At Portland Psychotherapy, we are committed to helping our clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other life problems so that they can live fuller and more meaningful lives. Our commitment is not just to help our clients feel better, we help them to live better.

You’re different from those around you. You sometimes feel stuck in patterns that don't work anymore, but you don't know what else you're supposed to do. Maybe you are adjusting to being in school here in the US, and the cultural differences between you and your professors, worry about what’s happening at home, and struggling to find comfort in an impermanent place. I can help. My ideal clients are hard working and driven, both by your own strengths and a desire to make your family and maybe even your country of origin proud. I work with students struggling with anxiety, trauma, ADHD and attention troubles, conflict with family and friends and figuring out systems that work for them. I love working with queer and trans students especially on figuring out how you can make space in your academic field of interest as a queer person. I provide compassionate, trauma-aware, attachment-focused therapy to help clients heal from trauma, manage their ADHD, and reduce anxiety. I love working with international students in college and university: you’re here to make the world better and are dedicated to your education and career. As an Adult Third Culture Kid (TCK) I especially want to serve that community. I also am LGBTQ+ affirming and polyamory-aware. I am Jewish and like supporting Jewish students navigate tradition, spirituality and living with non-Jews for the first time, and am comfortable supporting Hindu, Muslim, Sikh & Buddhist clients, as well as clients from other religions and traditions. I can help you make meaning of your time here, and work on developing coping skills for worry, loneliness and sadness. I use parts work, mindfulness, emotion regulation skill building and story telling (IFS, DBT, Narrative, Emotion Focused and EMDR, for folks who like a little jargon) to help clients heal trauma, work through conflict and build a better life for themselves.

My work is to support you in realizing your most authentic, integrated self. I offer holistic, mindful somatic psychotherapy (Hakomi method), to create deep and lasting growth and change. In our work together we'll turn towards your physical sensations and emotions, for the sake of the information, and to allow integration and wholeness, and a future that does not look like your past. A respect for the intelligence of nature, Jungian archetypes, Eastern Philosophies (having spent 20 years as an acupuncturist), and a love for writing and creative practices is woven into my work. I love supporting women in life change. Relationship loss and grief, career shift or desire to shift, perimenopause, empty-nest, or partnering - these are times ripe for discovery and exploration. Therapy can support your evolution - find deeper connection with yourself and others, heal unresolved hurts, embody your strengths, develop a stronger identity and self-worth, and discover direction or post-traumatic growth. Anxiety, depression, issues of self-worth and relational issues - through this process of witnessed self-reflection, you'll develop greater insight, capacity to interrupt self-defeating patterns, and opportunity to create more aligned choices and preferred experiences in your life. I love supporting women in life change. Relationship loss and grief, career shift or desire to shift, perimenopause, empty-nest, or partnering - these are times ripe for discovery and exploration. Therapy can support your evolution - find deeper connection with yourself and others, heal unresolved hurts, embody your strengths, develop a stronger identity and self-worth, and discover direction.