Therapists for college students near Portland State University

Welcome! My name is Molly Sterling and I am an able bodied, White, cis woman. I provide individual, trauma-focused therapy to adults 18+. I work with adults in individual therapy focused on healing past trauma, developing effective coping strategies to manage anxiety or panic symptoms, or navigating a difficult life transition, such as new parenthood. I particularly enjoy working with perfectionists, people employed in the helping professions, and individuals who find it hard to "get out their heads". I would describe my therapeutic style as relational and eclectic, meaning I don’t adhere to one modality exclusively. I am trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused (SAFE) EMDR and also utilize modalities such as IFS/Parts Work, Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and expressive arts in my work with clients. I believe in the power of connection and curiosity, and I strive to meet clients with compassion, wherever they are on their healing journeys. I am committed to providing therapy that is collaborative, responsive, and affirming. Though I do not identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am an ally and am committed to understanding dynamics of privilege and oppression. I am neurodivergent affirming and Health at Every Size informed. I am currently seeing clients virtually on Thursdays from 9am to 6pm, with more availability coming soon! If you have a specific day/time that you prefer, please reach out to see if I can accommodate.

My goal as your therapist is to provide you with a secure and receptive space for free expression so you can open up and embrace your most authentic self. Together, we will work through obstacles, discover your strengths, and empower you to embrace a more fulfilling life.

The therapeutic relationship is the key to my approach. Together we will build strong therapeutic relationship through mutual trust and understanding. This creates a safe environment for self-exploration, growth and development. I believe that if we work collaboratively we can identify problems and personalize treatment direction. My goal is to help you cope with your daily struggles, improve resiliency and create lasting change. With the right skills, each individual has the capacity to accomplish their goals. I specialize in effective therapy for individuals who are suffering from depression, anxiety, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, low self-esteem and assertiveness issues as well as survivors of trauma, and domestic violence.

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My professional philosophy is based on individual coaching. In other words I approach my therapy work with you without preconceptions or an agenda about what it means to “heal.” I place an emphasis on communication. I focus on bringing an individual's personal core values to the forefront of their lives. In this respect, I see myself as a your personal life facilitator. I will actively help you build your own resources by using life’s challenges as opportunities for learning, healing and becoming stronger in whatever way is most appropriate for you.

I am passionate about helping individuals and couples build deeper, more secure connections, while finding healing and growth through life's challenges. I believe that many of our struggles, whether in our relationships or within ourselves, often stem from unmet needs for safety, understanding, and belonging. In our work together, we'll explore these core needs and the patterns that might be keeping you stuck.

I specialize in treating people who struggle with trauma, OCD, anxiety, and/or insomnia. I strive to help my patients reduce suffering and increase joy and connection by incorporating relevant science and research, humor, and compassion throughout the treatment process. The treatment process will involve gaining an understanding of your strengths and challenges, collaboratively developing goals for treatment, and implementing tools and skills learned in therapy to live a more fulfilling, effective, and meaningful life. Therapy with me will be more directive at times so that you feel empowered to confront challenging issues. For each area I specialize in, I use approaches that I’ve been extensively trained in and that have been proven to be effective for many people: EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, or Prolonged Exposure for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure & Response Prevention for OCD and other anxiety disorders, and CBT-I for insomnia. I received my master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Pacific University. My experience as an Air Force veteran and former military psychologist has given me a wealth of experience providing the gold standard in trauma treatment.

Are you experiencing difficulties with your mental health? I view counseling as a journey that, while challenging, is ultimately rewarding. I work with couples, teenagers, and adults facing issues such as ADHD, adolescent challenges, suicidal thoughts, addictions, trauma, anxiety, depression, PMDD, and menopause. I am certified in Prepare and Enrich for couples and relationships, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certfied in DBT. My experience includes extensive work with school-aged populations, those with serious and persistent mental illness, dual diagnoses, couples, and addiction issues. I help navigate a journey through healing.

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I provide individual counseling services for adults residing in the state of Oregon. I am deeply committed to and passionate about working with my LGBTQIA++ community, and identify as Queer and Lesbian. I have primarily worked with the Queer community for the past three years. I also have a special heart for the Indigenous community and exploring and supporting our unique challenges and spiritual and ecological connections. I have experience working with: BDSM/KINK, polyamory/relationship anarchy, BIPOC, parenting, trauma, and disability. Learn to connect to yourself and your deep inner wisdom. Explore self compassion and develop a broader understanding of your personal needs, desires and core values. Begin to listen to what your body is telling you, it holds so much information about who we are, our ancestral roots, and our raw needs. Individual therapy gives you a brave space to be seen and witnessed, to be gently held, to express what you hold dear to your heart,.. it is a sacred container for your fears, hurts, trauma, and triumphs. It is a gift to yourself. It is a place where you can come as you are, without judgment, to be validated and challenged, and to explore your rich inner life and access the gold of your spirit.

Whether you are struggling with feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, grief, disappointment, loneliness, or inner-conflict, as your therapist, I will collaborate with you using an authentic, kind, and skilled approach. We will start with a comprehensive evaluation of your needs and discuss what brings you to therapy. Together, we will establish goals and develop a plan that will support your strengths, resources, and encourage a path toward success. The therapeutic relationship can provide a safe space to increase self-awareness and recognize behaviors and relationship patterns that can make you feel stuck. Together, we will address your concerns from a holistic perspective with the intention of fostering resilience, empowerment, and positive change.

My style as a therapist is grounded in mindfulness, genuine care, non-judgmental stance, and being fully present for my clients. I work transparently and collaboratively with my clients to achieve their therapy goals. My specialities include general anxiety, stress management, performance anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, depression, relationship issues, and PTSD, and my work with clients are centered on embracing culture and identity. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness skills, iRest Yoga Nidra, ACT, IFS interventions, and Motivational Interviewing.

College can be an amazing and exciting time while also being a time of a lot of transition and acclimating to new routines and responsibilities. I work with students to help ease the challenge that those transitions can bring whether you are on your own for the first time, or have decided to go back and get your degree at a later point in life. If you are experiencing stressors that are causing symptoms of anxiety or depression or are just looking for someone you can talk to please feel free to reach out. I'm happy to schedule a consultation if you are interested in learning more about my practice or to find out if we would be a good fit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work with people navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, boundary-setting, life transitions, and patterns that leave them feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves. Many of my clients are overwhelmed by stress, self-doubt, people-pleasing, or difficult past experiences that continue to impact their daily lives. Together, we explore these patterns, build on existing strengths, and create meaningful change that supports greater balance, confidence, and well-being. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each individual. I utilize an integrative framework that considers the connection between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, values, and relationships. I am also an EMDRIA-approved EMDR therapist and offer EMDR when it is clinically appropriate and aligned with your goals. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and finding the right therapist is important. I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where you can explore challenges openly and move toward the changes that matter most to you. If my approach sounds like a good fit, I welcome you to reach out.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

At Sakura Counseling, we aspire to create an environment that is all inclusive and provides a safe space for diversity in all forms to untangle the challenges that have been holding you back from being authentically you. We are collaborative in our approach, holding high regard for your experience in your environment, paying close attention to the many systems of our society that play a part in perpetuating oppression. We believe in creating collaborative healing relationships where your therapist will work with you to figure out the changes you want to make, then create an attainable, realistic plan of healing. We will then prepare you for the changes to come and develop tools needed to successfully integrate those changes into your current environment. We believe that you are the expert of your experiences and needs, so throughout our collaboration, we aim to allow you to feel free of guilt and shame and safe to be wholly, authentically you as you gain strength of understanding, while building new methods to cope and overcome. As a group practice, we have the ability to provide therapy for most issues with specialized areas of Trauma, Social Justice, Multi-cultural concerns, Anxiety, Suicide, Grief and Loss, Domestic Violence, Couples Relationship Repair...just to name a few. We work with all ages and all walks of life without judgement and thoroughly enjoy working with individuals, couples and families. To find out more about our team go to sakuracounseling.org. We currently have one counselor, Nancy, who works with Regence BC/BS and Moda. All other counselors are OHP, Cigna, Kiaser, and OOP only.

Therapy is completely different for each individual because everyone is going through different issues and have personalized goals. From a strengths-based perspective, I work to empower clients to gain the skills necessary to address and resolve problems, change behaviors, improve relationships and navigate and cope with stressors. During your session, we will explore your thoughts, feelings, habits, and experiences to gain a better understanding of yourself and to develop coping skills to achieve goals and improve your well-being. I place a strong emphasis on developing insight and empathy within a non-judgmental and compassionate environment. I have over 14 years of experience practicing as a nurse and working within social services providing counseling and care coordination to adolescents, adults, and families. My therapeutic background is rooted in medical and health psychology, assisting individuals and families coping with normal or unwanted transitions, chronic illness, end of life issues, and those experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. ​ I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers and I am an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

I am here to tell you that your body is not something that needs to be fixed. I consider myself to be a body inclusive therapist who specializes in helping clients recover from disordered eating behaviors, weight stigma, body image concerns and impacts from diet culture. I also serve clients experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms, family issues (such as divorce & addiction), adjustment issues, impacts from COVID-19 and trauma (such as intimate partner violence & sexual assault). I currently offer individual therapy for teens and adults.

I work best with young adults, especially those who self-identify as women or are exploring their gender identity/expression, navigating the early-adulthood years. You might be juggling academic or career decisions, feeling anxious or burnt out, experiencing changes in friendships or romantic relationships, and wondering what truly matters to you. In a warm, collaborative, and gender-affirming space, we’ll use tools from CBT, mindfulness, and self-compassion to help you build confidence, manage anxiety, and reconnect with your values so you can live more authentically and with less overwhelm. If this sounds like what you need, I’d love to connect and see if we’re a good fit.