Therapists for college students near Portland, OR
I’m passionate about and dedicated to helping people achieve meaningful and sustainable changes that align with their core values and aspirations. I deeply enjoy working with adolescents, college students, and young adults. I have a lot of experience supporting the LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities. I believe therapy is most successful when we find the path that truly supports the growth you’re seeking. In our work together, we will find an approach that fits your unique needs, drawing from my experience with a range of therapeutic orientations, including trauma-informed therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, and relational approaches. When I’m not working, I enjoy skiing, traveling, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. I also love curling up with a good book, watching a great movie or TV show, and most of all, I cherish spending time with friends and loved ones. If you are interested in working with me, please navigate to Aspire Psychology's website and click "Schedule an Appointment". Education & Licenses: MSW, Simmons University Clinical Social Worker, OR #L15328 | MA #123176 EMDR Certification (In Progress)
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.
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.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I support clients wanting to change persistent beliefs of not being good enough, heal from their past, and build more connection, joy, and fulfillment in life. Many of my clients initially come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed by self-critical or anxious thoughts, and wanting more confidence navigating emotions, relationships, and everyday stressors. I believe meaningful therapy happens through genuine human connection. My approach is grounded in a compassionate therapeutic relationship that is client-centered and supportive of gentle challenge. My work integrates several evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, mindfulness-based approaches, and EMDR. Together, we address patterns and underlying factors contributing to your concerns, build a kinder relationship to yourself, and develop practical tools and insight to confidently navigate life moving forward. I welcome you to reach out for a free consultation.
Hi! I'm glad you found me here in a sea of so many qualified therapists. What sets me apart from many other providers is the guiding principle that effective therapy is much more art than science. Research has consistently shown that the most influential common factor in effective therapy is a comfortable working relationship with your therapist (as opposed to a specialized treatment protocol or even years of experience). As such, I treat the quality and trust within our therapeutic relationship as the number one priority. I strive to provide a space in which we can engage collaboratively, to gain greater understanding through curiosity and exploration, ultimately working to address the root causes of your struggles. Developing an awareness and insight into your thoughts and decision making is key to attaining greater fulfillment and life satisfaction. You are more than what brings you into therapy and I recognize that the sum total of your lived experience is what makes you 'you'. Therapy allows you to be completely open and honest without fear of judgment, ultimately providing you the capacity to live authentically. I offer a free 15-minute consult; contact me or schedule via my website to see if I'm a good fit for you!
As a Person of Color, you’ve followed the rules, honored your culture, and shape-shifted to survive—but the pressure to get it all right is exhausting. You’ve kept it together for everyone else—but inside, you’re overwhelmed, second-guessing yourself, and craving peace. You’re always overthinking, carrying others’ emotions, and wondering who you actually are without the expectations of others. Family stuff is complicated, parenting feels heavy, and rest feels out of reach. You don’t have to hold it all. Let’s make space for you. Terapia en Español & Bilingual Services – I offer a space where all parts of your identity are honored. Together, we’ll build tools to manage stress, emotions, and relationships, while also exploring how past experiences and cultural messages shaped your feelings, response and the way you see yourself. This work supports deeper healing, clarity, and growth. My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. We’ll explore your goals and what brings you to therapy. As someone who's lived between cultures, I value feeling truly seen and respected. Safety makes deeper exploration possible—and with it, meaningful, lasting change. Visit my website for more detailed information.
Each member of our collaborative practice operates through a trauma-informed, intersectional lens. We bring different specialties to our work that can help you process trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and offer the support you need in a way that helps you move toward living the life you want.
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).
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!
I believe mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of wealth, status, or reputation. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and there is always hope—no matter what you've been through or are going through. I offer a space of acceptance and support, helping you navigate difficulties and rediscover your joy, peace, and resilience. I specialize in helping individuals navigate relationships and heal from trauma. With a compassionate, collaborative approach, I help you uncover strengths, shift limiting patterns, and build resilience. I support you in developing healthier coping strategies and achieving meaningful goals. I know reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you're feeling stuck or ready for change, I’m here to help you uncover your strengths and work toward a life that feels true to you. When you're ready, reach out—I'd be honored to support you on your journey.
We often become stuck in a pattern of viewing our world through a certain lens. Many of us do not realize that we can become empowered to view our world in a different way. I seek to help my clients create meaning in their lives through an accepting, unconditional counseling relationship. I use Cognitive Behavioral and Existential Humanistic approaches to help my clients uncover their genuine “truth” and to help them live a more fulfilling and authentic life. While we can't always change difficult situations, we can work together to view those situations through a new lens in order to create a different perspective and create effective solutions. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Are you feeling anxious, disconnected, or overwhelmed? Do questions around identity, trauma, or relationships leave you feeling stuck or unseen? I’m here to help. My approach is warm, queer-informed, and collaborative, creating a space where you feel safe to explore and heal. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and together, we’ll work to untangle the challenges you face while building on your strengths. Whether you’re navigating questions of gender, sexual orientation, or systemic pressures, I’m committed to helping you find clarity, connection, and empowerment on your journey. With training in various therapy modalities, I tailor my approach to each client’s unique needs, focusing on what works best for their system. This is where we collaborate to discover what feels right for you. Additionally, I offer pre-surgical assessments for individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery. Finding the right therapist is important, and I’d love to help you determine if we’re a good fit. Our initial 15-minute consultation is free, a chance for you to share your needs and get a feel for my approach. If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to schedule through my website.
Helping Young Adults Feel Safe, Seen, and Understood You may be here because something just doesn’t feel right. Maybe your child is behaving in ways you don’t fully understand—or withdrawing in ways that concern you. Maybe your teen is struggling with anxiety, school pressure, or big emotions that feel too heavy for their age. Or maybe you’re a young adult trying to make sense of everything you’ve been through while figuring out who you are and where you’re headed. If any of that sounds familiar, I want you to know: it’s okay to ask for support, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
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.
Are you experiencing a relational separation or burdened with grief, loss, or trauma? Are you having difficulty with ADHD, depression, or anxiety? You don’t need to suffer in silence or alone. We specialize in individual, couples, and family counseling, and we are ready and available to support you in the healing process.
Among all the uncertainties of life, making the choice to start therapy is yet another risky plunge into the unknown. Before you decide to give me a call I’d like to try and give you a sense of who I am and what it might be like for us to sit together. Although my title is doctor, my clients call me Sarah. I think of my role as one of accompaniment, you’re the lead and it’s my job to follow your pace, your volume, your moments of free expression. Together we get curious in a way that is, open, receptive, and non-judgmental. Sometimes this process is playful, and sometimes I encourage us to look deeper at the hard things. I am always holding your experience with profound respect and the certainty that you have been doing your best to survive in a world that challenges your flexibility. Whether you’re somewhere along the path of higher education or starting off your career, the challenges of young adult life are uniquely complex and ripe for psychological distress. At this stage in life, you may find yourself with more questions than answers and more pressures than solutions. Stressors and concerns may run the gamut from challenges in relationships, family conflict, financial/housing/food insecurity, or answering questions like, “Who am I” and “What do I want in life?” I can appreciate the need for a space to unpack it all, take a step back, and find more clarity.
I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to foster understanding of their own mental health and create insight into what is needed to build healthy, personalized approaches to self-care and coping. Building this type of self-awareness and reaching the point of implementing these skills is often daunting, so connecting with a therapist to support you in processing these experiences will help lead to genuine change. My focus is to work with adult individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, and high sensitivity (HSPs). My approach incorporates person-centered, psychodynamic, and relational modalities that allow us to explore lifelong, underlying patterns of thinking and behavior in a safe and connected environment. I have experience in providing therapy for young to middle-aged adults from various backgrounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and SES. I am currently accepting new clients! Please contact me for a phone consultation where we will determine whether my therapy services and availability fit your needs.
I believe that anyone can benefit from therapy. Whether you’re facing life’s challenges, experiencing anxiety or depression, or you are just interested in growth and strengthening your sense of self; we all need a neutral person to talk to from time to time. I carry with me a warm, grounded presence. I have a nonjudgmental demeanor and prefer to avoid giving advice, but instead work together to explore options and possible solutions to issues. I have an eclectic approach that is primarily rooted in psychodynamics and tailored to the needs of the individual and their circumstances. I am open to working with anyone interested in pursuing therapy; some examples of challenges I am skilled at working with are anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, grief, life transitions, relationships, gender, sexuality, family issues, existential challenges, and individuation. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and poly friendly