Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in East Portland. Perhaps you are seeking therapy because you are unhappy with something in your life. Your happiness is important and I believe it's possible to feel more joy. Therapy can feel like a scary step, but you are worth the risk. Therapy is a place where you get to talk to someone who is non-judgmental and nurturing and who can offer you a more objective perspective on how to make the changes in your life that you desire. I view therapy as a collaboration, an exchange where we work together to reach your goals. Reach out to me for more information or to see if we would be a good fit. Email is the best way to reach me: kit@kitmurraylcsw.com

Are you feeling stuck or dissatisfied with life? Have you felt trapped in cycles of self-doubt, sadness, worry, frustration, and stress? Do you feel disconnected from others or yourself? My work involves supporting you in connecting to your internal experience so you can make sense of where you are, where you've been, and where you dream of going. My approach involves connecting you to your intuition and inner wisdom through mindfulness-based practices. My hope is to align you with what matters to you so you can take steps toward a life of enhanced meaning and purpose.

I have a passion for working with college students and people in the midst of life transitions. I utilize a holistic approach by taking into account your presenting concern as well as your strengths, your community, and your environmental context. I enjoy the collaborative process of building awareness and understanding as we explore the impact of cultural, familial, societal, physical, social, and spiritual factors on your psychological concerns. I am honored to work with people as they channel their courage to face challenges in their lives - to bring healing and growth out of pain and struggle. So often we humans try to avoid our pain or we get stuck in it; I believe we are all doing the best we can in the moment with what we have and what we know. I am here to walk alongside you for awhile in your journey towards integration, authenticity, and well-being. Clients often describe me as warm, empathic, non-judgmental, genuine, empowering, gently challenging, and compassionate. My approach is client-centered, solution-focused, body positive, and LGBTQ-affirming. I amplify one's resilience and strengths by incorporating mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, self-compassion, and interpersonal process. I am also always in the process of growth and learning about new approaches and perspectives through continuing education and consultation, gaining valuable insights to my own biases and privileges.

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.

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.

Many students come to therapy feeling stressed, anxious, or stuck in patterns that hold them back. Balancing school, relationships, and life changes can feel overwhelming. Therapy provides a supportive space to pause, reflect, and explore your experiences. I work with students to navigate emotions, stress, and relationship challenges while building coping skills and self-understanding. Together, we focus on what matters most to you and make meaningful changes in a supportive, relational space. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and I honor that courage. You’ll have a gentle, safe space to process challenges, reflect on your experiences, and build confidence as you move through school and life.

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.

Feeling foggy or like you're in a dream (in a bad way)? Feeling detached from your body or your joy? At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I'm passionate about helping clients feel more present, embodied, and connected whether they're experiencing grief, dissociation (depersonalization or derealization), or burn out. I work best with folks who are motivated to put in work inside and outside of session in order to inch closer to change. There is so much to grieve in the world right now but I'll be alongside you to sit in the messy feelings and cheer on your wins. I use experiential (creative) and somatic (body-focused) techniques for additional ways of processing grief, loss, or disconnection. Experientially, we might write, make art, use music, or create a tangible coping tool you can use. Somatically, this might mean grounding exercises, movement, guided visualizations, or just pausing and noticing the body. Your healing process is important and I don’t believe in taking away coping mechanisms that have allowed you to survive until now. Instead, the idea is to explore different options to help you sift through complicated situations or feelings and help you evaluate what's no longer serving you. Reach out if we might be a good fit. I'd love to hear from 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.

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.

College can be a time of excitement, growth and discovery, but it can also bring uncertainty, stress, and deep emotional challenges. I specialize in supporting college students who are navigating anxiety, ADHD, OCD, autism, trauma, and the unique transitions that come with emerging adulthood. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in relational and trauma-informed care. I understand that for many students, college life can amplify feelings of overwhelm, self-doubt, or disconnection. In our work together, I aim to create a space where you can slow down, unmask, and reconnect with your strengths and sense of self. Whether you’re adjusting to new independence, managing academic pressures, healing from past experiences, or seeking tools for emotional regulation and focus, therapy is a space to explore your path with compassion and curiosity. Together, we’ll work to build resilience, self-acceptance, and meaningful ways of coping that honor who you are.

I am informal, goofy, sometimes loud, curious, imperfect, and you get all that and more when we start working together. Therapy with me commonly looks like laughing together, sometimes until we cry; actually crying together; laying on the ground; understanding that dark humor is often a necessary coping strategy for whatever life throws at us; talking with my hands; and my facial expressions being apart of the conversation (AKA having real reactions to real shit). Growing up between worlds can get messy, that weird in-between of always trying to fit in. As a transracial/international adoptee, I know how frustrating that pull between cultures and identities can be. Whether you're a fellow adoptee, mixed raced, or 1st gen, we’ll explore those layers - the deep identity stuff, aka the “laugh so you don’t cry” stuff, and find your way back home within the complexity. As a relational, trauma-informed therapist, I believe healing happens through connection. I focus on how your relationships, past and present, shape how you move through the world. My work blends somatic awareness with curiosity and compassion to help you build relationships that feel nourishing, real, and aligned with who you are. Finding the right fit may be time consuming, but shouldn’t be draining. Consults are a brief window into what the therapeutic relationship will look like - like a vibe-check. And if the vibes are right, the hard stuff will come naturally and not feel forced. This is why I offer 25-min consults. Reach out for a consult and let’s take it from there!

Starting therapy is hard. But it means you are making a choice to live a better life. Whether you’re struggling with feeling isolated, dealing with stress from work or school, or have feelings from your past that are holding you back, Casey wants to help. He will work to help you find a new way to actually live the life you want, by figuring out why you’re at where you are at and what can be done together to help you make different choices. As a therapist, Casey treats every client as an individual who will have their own specific wants and needs within therapy. Regardless of what techniques he uses, Casey prioritizes creating a strong bond with clients built on trust, understanding and unconditional non-judgment, so that he can help clients find new ways to deal with the difficulties that come with life. It is crucial for us to understand how the expectations that society puts on us due to various parts of outward identity impact our mental health. Casey is especially dedicated to trying to support men in dealing with their mental health and relationship as societal expectations and barriers often impact our ability to live fulfilling lives. While his work often draws influence from Acceptance and Commitment, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Person Centered Therapy, no single model of therapy works for everyone so he often blends together practices from a variety of models in a way that best serves you. Casey has a Masters of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Western Oregon University.

Are you struggling to find your purpose or understand the direction your life is taking? Do you grapple with questions of identity or acceptance? Does uncertainty often cloud your thoughts? If any of this resonates with you, or if you're seeking a deeper understanding of your life, I am here to guide you on your journey. I understand the profound importance of finding representation and connecting with someone who shares or understands similar narratives. It can be challenging to trust that a therapist truly relates to your experiences, especially during life’s most difficult moments. I specialize in supporting BIPOC and LGBTQI+ communities, as well as individuals living with SPMI. My approach integrates mindfulness, trauma-informed care, CBT, and other evidence-based practices to address your unique needs. Together, we will collaborate to identify and outline those needs in a safe and supportive environment. My life mantra is: Every day is a teaching moment. Each action and experience presents an opportunity to grow, learn, and evolve. With these moments, we are gifted tools that help guide us forward. Let’s uncover those tools and embark on this transformative journey together.

I am a registered LPC and Clinical Art Therapist. I use art and talk therapy to support healing and positive change. I love working with individuals who are processing life challenges that are impacting their quality of existence, whether they are internal feeling or body states and/or external experiences impacting growth and functioning. I provide support so that they can move through and begin to heal; or increase their own skills while moving towards living their best life. I support individuals to see themselves through the light of their strengths and how they can take those strengths out into the world. I use neuroscientific brain science techniques mixed with art to manage/decrease anxiety and depression and symbolic narrative techniques with art to process trauma and other impactful/stressful life experiences to support integration of self, nervous system regulation and increase positive mood.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

If you find your mind racing uncontrollably with thoughts of worry or stress, feel lost when going through big life changes, or are struggling to find motivation to complete your goals, you don't have to go through it alone. I am an empathic listener who wants to support your growth and healing. I offer help with anxiety and depression, healing past trauma and have training in EMDR.

I see clients for evaluation, diagnosis, assessment for medication, medication management, treatment planning, and psychotherapy. My practice is open to clients with psychiatric concerns including ADHD, depression, and anxiety. For ADHD, I do ADHD assessments as well as ADHD treatment, which includes psychotherapy that is appropriately suited to people with ADHD. I enjoy treating clients collaboratively with communication a key component to my practice. I honor my clients’ input in tailoring treatment to suit their needs, as appropriate. I listen to your concerns regarding medications, including side effects and whether there is a risk to being on your medication long-term.

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.

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.