Therapists for college students near Portland State University

The particularity of our stories matter. Even stories of harm and shame are evident of our desperate and deepest attempts to be seen in our aliveness together. Despite the sufferings and stressors that may plague our lives, I believe your inner world holds a beautiful hearth that longs to center you and call you home. By working together from a place of safety and empowerment, I am interested in exploring together what it means to heal and live a life that you find meaningful. As a Relational Psychodynamic therapist, I bring a depth of training that honors the beautiful complexities of the human spirit, as well as the belief that what arises in the therapy session is always worth our attention and curiosity. I specialize in working with trauma, grief, shame, anxiety, life transitions, relationship dynamics, and more. I strive to practice with an open mindset that is culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive. What arises in you will always be worthy of love, presence, and curiosity during our work together. I admire your openness and commitment to taking the next step. If you think we may work well together or have any questions, I would love to chat more!

Jon Haley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He was born and raised in Michigan and received bachelors degrees in Spanish Language and Political Science from Alma College, and his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jon has work experience in the government, non-profit sector, child welfare, in-patient, and outpatient mental health. Jon enjoys working with, adolescents, adults, and couples. His specialties include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-informed), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Couples Therapy and providing mental health support for the LGBTQ+ and veteran communities. Jon has experience working with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. His therapeutic framework is person-centered and environment focused. When outside of the office, Jon likes to spend time in the outdoors, take care of his plants, walk his miniature poodle Harvey Milk and listen to NPR. A message from Jon: “Thank you for reading my profile. It’s truly a privilege to be allowed into my client’s lives. I believe that everyone is trying the best they can with the resources available to them. I help my clients balance between acceptance of their current situation, and implementing change strategies to build the “life worth living” that they want and deserve. This is the essence of DBT - engaging in the dialectic, the balance of two opposite ideals. Taking that first step in seeking out help is often the hardest, but can also be the most rewarding. I look forward to working with you.” “You cannot think yourself into a new way of acting, you can only act yourself into a new way of thinking.” –Marsh Linehan

You may be coming to sex therapy now because you are needing a bit more expertise around how to talk about and process the sexual relationship with yourself or partner. You may be tired of not feeling good in your body or in your relationship and can remember a time when it felt better. You are ready to find out why you feel so disconnected from yourself and from the person or people you care about most. You’ve been having the same conversations over and over again, arriving at the same destination, and feeling as though you can’t get out of the spiral. You want to feel safe. You want to feel heard. You want to be seen. You are ready to make the commitment to know yourself in a deeper way. We will start by figuring out when you noticed there was a problem. Did something happen? How are you making sense of the problem? What have you tried to fix the problem? At times, getting good information and experimenting is all you need to start feeling good. Sometimes we need to keep digging.

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.

ADHD. Depression. Anxiety. Social Anxiety. We love helping students thrive. This is what we do best! We are a warm, safe, welcoming small group on a mission to help you discover your ideal health. We offer primarily medication management and evaluation. We offer convenient scheduling (in-person and tele-health), direct communication with providers and sufficient time to discuss your needs. We consider the whole person when considering your care needs. We know that college brings all kinds of unique challenges-balancing family, school, friends, work and fun can create all kinds of chaos. We will work to help you figure out the balance. Fill out an intro form as the first step before a quick intro call.

Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 15 years of experience. She earned her Masters Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and eventually moved to Portland where she began a career focusing on helping individuals and families learn to heal and thrive. With experience working in healthcare and public education, Michelle understands the complexities and demands that so many members of our community experience. She is committed to addressing cultural issues around bias, racism, equity, and injustices for communities of color and those with diverse backgrounds. Her engagement with anti-racism learning is active, ongoing, and explicit. Michelle is collaborative, encouraging, and playful. She focuses on helping clients to identify their resilience and strength to overcome obstacles, and she offers a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment. She has experience working with children and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, women’s health issues, infertility and pregnancy, post-partum, life transitions, parenting issues, and addiction. Michelle approaches therapy with a trauma-informed lens and relies on her background and education in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Michelle believes it is a true privilege to be able to work in this field and to share space with people during some of their hardest and most vulnerable moments. She remains continuously grateful for the opportunity her clients give her, and she is committed to continuing to grow and learn. When Michelle is not practicing, she can be found with her spouse, dog, and their two young children - exploring outdoors, skiing, paddle boarding, enjoying good food, and following that beautiful and often scarce PNW sunshine.

Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon. She chose social work as a second career, after having spent 20 years as manager and mentor in various government agencies. It was her own therapeutic journey, providing the insight and understanding to help her find grace in navigating the journey of life, which led her to further her education and complete her Masters of Social Work program. “I learned why I made decisions and choices in the past and how to use this knowledge to accept myself and move on. This is why I became a therapist, and this is the support I hope to offer you as my client. I have experienced the delicate balance of having a career, raising a teenager, taking care of elder parents and trying to identify what I needed for self-care.” After earning her degree, Kim worked for several years in a hospital behavioral health unit. Her approach is non-judgmental, person-centered and strength-based, incorporating evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamics, Family Systems Therapy, and Strengths-Based Therapy. Kim has lived most of her life in Oregon and, as a single mom, adopted her now young-adult daughter from Guatemala. She has since added a loving husband, a huge Newfoundland dog and two rescue cats. Her interests include gardening, cooking, traveling and yoga. “My intention is to use my life and clinical experience to offer you a safe, trauma-informed space to help you discover you, and to help you find your path. I will listen and be supportive, helping you identify and untangle what gets in the way of you living life to the fullest. Life can be tricky, and its challenges sometimes seem overwhelming.” “It would be my privilege to help you in this journey.”

I especially enjoy working with teens and young adults, while also welcoming adults of all ages. Whether you're navigating anxiety, OCD, ADHD, self-esteem, life transitions, identity, relationship challenges, or just feeling overwhelmed, therapy can be a place to we can slow down and reconnect with ourselves. We'll collaborate together to build practical skills, better understand the patterns keeping you stuck, and create meaningful and lasting change! My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I believe growth often begins in moments of discomfort, and you don't have to face that alone. We'll explore what's worked and what hasn't, and try new approaches that align with your values, goals, and strengths. Starting therapy can feel pretty intimidating, and it's okay if you're unsure where to begin! You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. If you're ready to approach life's challenges with curiosity and support, I'd be honored to work alongside you as we take that next step together.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who grew up in rural Northern California, where adequate mental health care was not accessible, and differences were not celebrated. I developed a passion for helping others after watching people I cared about struggle without support and going through my own challenges as an adolescent and young adult. After settling in the Portland Metro Area, I have developed a great love of our area's diverse populations and green landscapes, combining all the beauty the Willamette Valley has to offer with the convenience and luxury of inner-city resources and diversity. I have experience working in community mental health, hospice, and counseling with adults and teens ranging from late adolescents to the elderly. I especially enjoy working with those struggling with life transitions, trauma, chronic illnesses, depression, and anxiety. I believe that fostering safety and unconditional positive regard is the backbone of the therapeutic relationship. I use these core Rogerian principles and a strength-based approach along with techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy to aid people in broadening their perspectives, changing behaviors that are not working for them, and developing practical tools they can use in their day-to-day lives. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy and am variably directive in my approach depending on client needs. I am honored by those who share their brightest and darkest times with me. Time and time again, I am amazed by the strength and resilience of those who actively seek change. When I am not with clients, I can be found wrangling my two young children. I am a music, gardening, hiking, equine, and canine enthusiast. I also feel passionately about women supporting women and have enjoyed networking with other women in my local community.

Abri, based in Portland, Oregon, is one of the first psychotherapy clinics worldwide to specialize solely in Radically Open DBT for disorders of over-control - which includes treatment resistant anxiety and depression and restrictive eating disorder. RO DBT can be particularly helpful with students struggling with academic anxiety and crippling perfectionism. Abri has a diverse and dynamic team of 7 clinicians and a registered dietician. Please see our website for clinician bios and sub-specialties.

I use relationship building as the foundation of my therapy practice. I believe feeling seen, held, and safe are vital components of being able to grow. My hope is to create an atmosphere where the people I meet with feel met and known which will allow us to walk together through vulnerability. With all my clients I take a Neurobiological approach, which is a fancy way to say I think a lot about nervous systems and how to regulate them. Our nervous systems need co-regulation before they can learn to self-regulate. Together we will explore what feels soothing to your particular system and build strategies from there. I pull Internal Family Systems (IFS) or parts work and Narrative Therapy techniques. My style is client centered, collaborative, affirming, and trauma informed.

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.

Everybody deserves a space where they can feel truly seen, heard, and understood without judgment. As a clinical psychologist, I strive to provide therapy that is collaborative, effective, and uniquely tailored to every client. Many clients have described my clinical style as "real and authentic." I enjoy working with clients on a wide variety of issues including, but not limited to: depression, anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, self-esteem, family-of-origin, cultural identity, codependency, stress, etc. My areas of specialization are: Gender Affirming Care for transgender and gender diverse individuals and Substance Use (ie: people concerned about their alcohol and/or drug use.)

Hi, I’m Abby (she/her). I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and EMDR trained Mental Health Therapist based in Portland, Oregon. I’m so glad you’re here because this life is complex! When chaos or stagnation become the norm, accessing collaborative and nonjudgmental support to better understand your unique experience of the world can be pivotal. I’m honored to hold space for deep suffering, as well as celebrations of beauty. I look forward to connecting with you!

Do you say mean things to yourself, like "I'm a loser," "annoying," “dumb,” and struggle to make decisions, and trust yourself? If yes, then we might be a good fit. I work with people that struggle with shame and self-criticism and often feel “not good enough.” I particularly work well with people wanting to get unstuck from the cycle of anxiety/avoidance, and “self-sabotage”, and start moving towards their goals and values while building self-acceptance. My name is Jeannie (like “in a bottle”) I grew up in outer east Portland/Rockwood and Like many clients, I faced life challenges and adversities growing up, such as a single parent home, delinquency issues, and parental addiction, incarceration, and death. Before working as a therapist, I worked in the restaurant industry for several years and in higher education doing career counseling, academic advising, and college admissions. My role is not to tell you what is best for you but to listen to you, understand you, and provide a genuine and empathetic space that helps you trust your intuition. If we work together, you can expect a collaborative partnership built on trust, empathy, authenticity, a healthy amount of swearing and humor sprinkled in the mix. Areas of Focus: Shame/guilt College Student Stress Mens issues Internet use concerns (gaming, pornography, Gambling) People pleasing Complex trauma/relational trauma Work and societal issues Chronic pain/illness/disability Grief/loss Low self-esteem/self-worth Anxiety/Avoidance Depression Mood disorders Body image concerns

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.

I specialize in working with college students, graduate students and early career professionals who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, depression, burn out and more. If you're asking yourself "how am I supposed to balance school/work, having a social life, eating healthy, exercising, having hobbies and taking care of my mental health?!" you are not alone. Adulting is hard, especially when you still feel like you're new to it. You might feel like your thoughts are always negative or spiraling out of control or you're always tense or can't seem to stay in the moment for things that are "supposed" to be fun. My approach to therapy focuses on helping you learn to relax, reduce the impact of negative thoughts, savor the joyful things in life, and live in alignment with your values. In therapy with me you will learn concrete strategies to improve your life while also having time to just "talk it out" in a warm and supportive environment. I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation prior to scheduling our first session to determine if I am the best fit for your care. Please call, text or email now to schedule a consultation. Looking forward to speaking with you!

I consider it a privilege to sit with individuals who feel driven to take on the challenge of personal growth. It’s hard to face the messiest parts of ourselves. We tend to avoid this at every cost, often with behaviors and habits that keep us distracted and numb. But therapy is about waking up. It’s about committing to the work of undoing old patterns that no longer serve us so we can show up more fully in our lives. I specialize in working with adults and teens (16+) who struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and/or body image concerns. There isn’t one approach that works for everyone. I enjoy getting creative and finding a framework that best serves each client.

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.

Our therapists love working with college students because they are at such an important time in their lives and it’s a rich time for growth and deeper self understanding. The clients we help the most are committed to the process of self awareness and change, even if it’s hard. Going to college can be scary and bring up a lot of challenges. It can be hard to live separately from your family for the first time. There can be so many difficulties at college that you didn’t expect. We are here to help. Our therapists are relatable and effective in their work. We welcome you!