Therapists for college students near Portland State University

When therapy is conducted in a safe and warm environment, and a client or couple or family feels heard and understood without judgment, it can be an incredibly powerful tool in providing healing and growth for life's difficult past experiences and current challenges. As a strengths-based and client-centered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with a client's existing internal strengths to partner with them to create goals that build towards healing, growth, awareness, and positive change. My clinical experience and specialization has included Couples Therapy, CBT, EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals and couples, Trauma informed therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused, Family Systems Theory, and Attachment Theory. I work with couples, adults, adolescents, and families. Starting therapy can be overwhelming and anxiety producing. My goal is to immediately build a safe place and therapeutic connection with you, and remove some of the anxiety that can often be part of reaching out and pursuing counseling.

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.

Hi, I’m Kate (she/her) and I’m all about creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and free to be yourself. I specialize in supporting young adults, helping them navigate life’s ups and downs. My approach is LGBTQ+ affirming and grounded in anti-oppressive practices, so you can show up as your true self. Whether you’re exploring who you are, how to feel stronger, or how to deal with adversity, I’m here to help you figure it out in a way that works for you.

Hi, I'm Heather Rose, a psychiatric Nurse Practioner. My path into psychiatry was shaped by years of clinical experience working with people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I take a warm, collaborative approach with young adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and much more. My goal is to meet you where you are and work together at a pace that feels right for you. I am glad you are here and considering options for yourself. Often, the hardest part is believing that things can be better. Do you feel out of sync, trapped by overthinking, a perpetual knot in your stomach, or a weight on your chest? Maybe you are persistently under a cloud of exhaustion or the mental strain of regulating your attention. Is it a feeling of being stuck on a treadmill: always in motion, but never arriving at a place of peace? Whether navigating restless anxiety, low mood, pressures of college or playing a sport, let's find a way for you to regain traction and move forward with clarity. As a PMHNP, I offer an active, collaborative space. My approach integrates the basic: sleep, nutrition, and movement, with the options of psychotherapy and medication management. We tailor these tools to help you identify and reach your own specific goals. We will focus on building a foundation for tangible action, relief, and feeling better. In our sessions I provide a steady, informed presence where we can explore your experience at your own pace. My role is to offer the support and tools you need to navigate life with more resilience and ease. If this resonates with you, please reach out to schedule a session via telehealth or my NE Portland office or. I look forward to supporting you.

Whatever your reasons for seeking therapy or counseling, I assure you when you step into my office, you will be treated with respect, compassion, & validation. I believe everyone is doing the best they can with what they know. And that is typically where we start the therapy process - with acceptance of where you are now. The work I do with my clients is collaborative - we create a treatment plan together, with goals you want to work on. We achieve these goals by building skills, improving understanding & insight into how these behaviors got started in the first place, & increasing resources in your life. I'm a licensed professional counselor, practicing since 2003. I'm trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, & use Cognitive-Behavioral, Mindfulness, and Stages of Change strategies in my practice, as well as some somatic strategies, if needed. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, past trauma & PTSD, alcohol & drug problems, relational issues, life transitions, grief, anger, confidence problems. I love this work! I use these strategies in my own life and will share what I've learned, through my own experiences. Most of my clients appreciate this and don't feel so alone in their struggles. We all struggle! Through acceptance, and a bit of humor, we can achieve change.

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.

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!

As a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, I specialize in helping students navigate the unique challenges of personal, academic, and social stressors. My approach is built on understanding each individual’s story, and I offer a safe, supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe in the power of self-discovery and transformation through the therapeutic process. Billing Information: I accept OHP, OOP, and offer super bills for out of network. Approach: With a focus on anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress management, and relationship issues, I offer a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to your needs. Drawing from Narrative Therapy, we’ll work together to rewrite problematic stories that might be holding you back, empowering you to take control of your narrative and identity. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we’ll address unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress, and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. I also integrate Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), especially for those facing relationship challenges, helping you understand and improve emotional connections with others. In addition, I incorporate Existential Therapy, which encourages deep exploration of meaning, purpose, and identity, helping you find fulfillment and clarity during the sometimes overwhelming college years. Whether you’re struggling with academic pressure, navigating personal relationships, or seeking to build stronger self-worth, I’m here to help you achieve growth and healing. My approach is collaborative, empathetic, and non-judgmental, focusing on your strengths and potential. Together, we will create practical tools and strategies to build resilience, improve mental well-being, and help you thrive both personally and academically.

Anxiety, worry, and intrusive thoughts are incredibly isolating and I am passionate about joining my clients in their journey toward reclaiming their lives and conquering their fears. You don’t need to do this alone anymore! My clients are often high schoolers, college students, and/or adults that are overwhelmed by perfectionism, high expectations, anxiety, and/or OCD’s rules about how to live their lives. They may also be going through major life transitions or struggling with looming uncertainties. Finally, my clients courageously lean into discomfort and learn new skills to ride the waves of uncertainty impacting their lives. My therapeutic approach includes the following evidence-based treatments: Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness strategies and Motivational Interviewing. I collaborate with my clients to determine the best approach for their individual needs and goals. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve already taken a very big step forward in your wellness journey. I encourage you to reach out to me and schedule a consultation to discuss if my approach may be a fit for what you’re looking for. Regardless, I’m wishing you all the best in your journey and am honored to have crossed your path.

Hi, I'm glad you're here. My name is Gabby Hancher (they/them). I’m a white, trans nonbinary, and queer associate therapist who has lived experience with chronic illness. I currently reside on the traditional homelands of the Clackamas, Cowlitz, and Multnomah Indigenous peoples known as Portland, OR. I am currently working towards licensure and under the clinical supervision of Quinn Rivenburgh and Selin Strait. As a young person, I often felt very different from my peers. I was highly sensitive, creative, and attuned to much of the suffering around me. The overwhelming chaos of my childhood led me to my own healing path and eventually communities who accepted me for my contemplative nature. By embracing the truth of my experiences, I found healing modalities such as Hakomi which allowed me the space to make deep internal shifts towards being my whole self. I hope to offer this same experience to you. As a therapist, I bring a playful and emotionally attuned approach with an orientation towards mindful, experiential theories such as Hakomi. Our time together will always be collaborative and informed by the wisdom of your own lived experience. Together we can explore the deep inner knowing that your body holds in order to help you thrive. In a typical session, we will slow down and listen to the wisdom of your body. Together, we can discover what it is that you need to process in order to experience more integration in your life. We may work to support your own innate resilience by developing a felt sense of safety based on your own true sense of that or use the therapeutic relationship as a container to explore attachment wounding patterns through our present moment relationship. All of these experiences can offer fundamental shifts in your overall mood, the way you show up in the world, or even in your relationships. Whether you are experiencing difficulty with grief, relationships, anxiety or any number of concerns, together we can help you orient towards your inner knowing and personal agency. I approach all of my work through a social justice lens and believe deeply that when we transform on an interpersonal level, social change ripples outwards. Accessibility, embodied experience, and trauma-informed care are important pillars of my practice. Persons of all races & ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities are welcome. I am also affirming of kink, non-traditional relationship structures such as polyamory and non-monogamy, and sex work. Some of my identities hold varying levels of privilege which I always invite conversation around in session. If you are interested in utilizing the insurances I accept, please email me at: gabby@bridgestg.com. If you are interested in private pay, please message me through my linked website. Outside of session, I can be found practicing magic in nature, reading comics under a cozy blanket, or making strange artistic creations for my loved ones. ~~~~~~~ I work best with: *Collaborative individuals *Folks who are curious about mindfulness *Folks who are creative and/or highly sensitive *Folks who identify as care-givers *Activists looking to process and integrate their experiences *Adult parentified children *Perfectionists *Queer folks who want to explore their identity more deeply *Neurodivergent individuals *Folks who feel they've gotten what they can from talk therapy and need something else *Folks who want a better relationship with their body *Folks who are committed to long-term therapeutic work At this time, I am not able to treat or assist with the following: *Couples *Disordered Eating *Substance Use/Addiction Disorders *Personality Disorders *Folks with Severe & Persistant mental health challenges *OCD and Phobias *Folks who are in high levels of crisis/instability and may need team-based care *Folks who are looking for exclusively talk therapy

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Oregon. I grew up in Los Angeles as a bilingual and bicultural person and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and Social Justice from California State University, Northridge, and my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. With over 10 years of experience in social services and mental health, I’ve supported people navigating a variety of transitions and hardships, including financial instability, domestic violence, trauma, and relationship challenges. My lived experience, combined with clinical training, has reinforced my belief that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; each person’s journey is unique. I strive to meet my clients where they are with warmth, empathy, and flexibility. I consider myself a mindfully authentic therapist—present, responsive, and genuine in our shared space. My approach involves creating a nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe, heard, and valued. I believe growth starts with self-acceptance, and my goal is to help clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. I am passionate about helping couples strengthen their connection, rebuild trust, and heal together. I have experience supporting couples through challenges such as infidelity, communication struggles, parenting, and major life transitions. I also work with adults and adolescents (14+) dealing with PTSD, complex and relational trauma, relationship concerns, postpartum challenges, life transitions, OCD, ADHD, depression, low self-esteem, and other anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders. I take a person-centered, strengths-based approach, integrating evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and Trauma-Informed/Resiliency Care.

Hello! I am an Expressive Arts Therapist based in Portland, OR. In my practice I use art, crafts and sensory tools to support our work when words and verbal processing feel challenging. If you are a verbal processor, you're also welcome here! I usually work with folks who are queer and/or neurodivergent. I tend to work best with introverts or ambiverts, creative folks and those who identify as sensitive.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

If you are struggling to get through the day and need support, you're in the right place. Anxiety and depression can seem like the only voice of reason at times, and therapy is a great way to help sort through these confusing and distressing emotions. Understanding that change takes time and can be difficult is one of my core values as a person-centered therapist. I'm passionate about working with people from multicultural backgrounds, as well as those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I became a therapist because I enjoy helping people realize their true potential, and believe in the therapeutic process as a way to reach that. When outside of the office, I enjoy being outdoors and connecting with nature. I love to hike, ski, and go camping with my friends and family. Music is a big part of my life, and I enjoy playing the Ukulele. Life can be extremely difficult, and reaching out for help is the first step to healing. It's hard to go through symptoms alone. I'm currently taking on new clients ages 11 and up, both in person and via Telehealth.

My work is guided by the belief that mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and personalized. With a background in community mental health and primary care behavioral health, I offer an integrative, culturally responsive, and values-based approach to therapy. I believe therapy is most effective when it goes beyond symptoms—when we explore your values, goals, and passions together. Through this lens, we co-create a foundation rooted in curiosity, connection, and emotional safety, opening space for healing and growth. I’ve had the privilege of expanding gender-affirming care at a community health system in Seattle and helped develop a behavioral health department embedded within a community center—where I facilitated programming focused on emotional wellness and connection. These experiences have shaped my commitment to making therapy accessible, affirming, and grounded in real-world community values. My value of community and connection continues to be nourished at Aspire Psychology.

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.

Do you often feel misunderstood and hurt? Do you feel as though your emotions are controlling you and you don’t know what to do to change that? Does it leave you feeling anxious and depressed? I know what that feels like and I can help with that. My Approach to Helping I believe that people are doing the best they can with the information and skills they currently have. I also believe that they can grow and create better lives for themselves with the appropriate support. My approach to helping clients develop the skills to effectively identify, regulate and communicate their emotions, needs and boundaries to others is validating and skills-based. Therapy with me is relational, non-judgmental, body positive, sex positive and LGBTQ+ and poly competent. My Personal Beliefs and Interests I'm a psychologist and certified alcohol and drug counselor. I have a background in research (on behavior change) and loved working in academia for a long time, before transitioning to working in community mental health for a few years. I love being a therapist. I am also a mother and an immigrant with strong progressive values and I bring that to the table as well. I believe that Black Lives Matter and that community action is more powerful than waiting for government to act in our best interest. I bring this perspective to my work.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or past trauma? Do you struggle with mood swings, negative thought patterns, or anger that disrupts your daily life? Perhaps you’re dealing with stress, insomnia, low self-esteem, conflicts in your relationships that leave you feeling stuck or isolated. You may long to break free from patterns of self-doubt, grief, or emotional numbness, but don’t know where to start. Whatever challenges you face, you deserve a safe, supportive space to explore your feelings and work toward meaningful change. I’m here to support your healing, growth, and building a life aligned with your true-self. I specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma & relationship challenges. Using a holistic approach, I tailor therapy to meet your unique needs. Together, we’ll identify the root causes of your struggles, develop effective coping strategies & work toward healing and resilience. My goal is to help you create a full filling life. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In our sessions, you’ll find a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore your challenges and discover your strengths. Whether you’re seeking relief, clarity, or personal growth, I’m here to guide you on your path to becoming the best version of yourself.

Therapy can help us discover new parts of ourselves, challenge barriers to growth, and develop new skills to create our own paths. We as individuals hold these strengths within us already, but at times life can lead us to believe we are lacking. My hope is to help you discover these strengths! My style is direct yet gentle and I speak from an honest heart. I will often bring humor into the session, as life can funny at times or we may just need a bit of laughter to get through the challenges. I pull from various models but most often utilize Narrative Therapy, CBT, and mindfulness based techniques. Through a combination of these modalities, I work to help clients re-write unhealthy narratives and adjust patterns or ways of thinking that reinforce these inaccurate self-views. I believe in assisting clients in better understanding their own emotions and how their bodies can communicate these emotions. Once we are able to understand this, we can slow down and create new habits that are more effective in meeting our needs and managing symptoms.