Therapists for college students near Portland, OR
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED: • Anxiety • Bipolar Disorder • Depression • Alcohol Use Disorder • Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders • Schizophrenia • ADHD • Schizophrenia • Psychosis • Anger management • Military trauma • grief Session Our first session will be scheduled for around 50-60 mins. Our goal will be to systematically explore the past and present elements affecting your life so we can establish and/or confirm a diagnosis and the appropriate level of care for you. Before our session, you will receive documents for you to fill out. Assessment can be lengthily at times and prefilled documents can ease us into a more enjoyable conversation. We will also go over the rules and regulations to preserve safety and lay the framework for your treatment. After our first session, follow up appointments are usually between 25-30 mins long and the frequency of the sessions can be decided by medication management and therapeutic outcomes. Because every case can be different from the next one, your treatment will be tailored to your need. The complexity of your case will determine the adjustments to your treatment plan. When pertinent, we will do our best to provide you with complementary services from around your community. I hope to do this all while helping you feel as comfortable as possible. Given that some topics can be challenging, some questions can be addressed in more detail in following sessions as you become more acquainted with me and the rest of our team. We will treat you, not just your symptoms and diagnos
Are you struggling with irritability, anxiety, low mood, poor focus, substance use, or lack of motivation that is impairing your relationships, your career, or your overall quality of life? Have you perhaps tried therapy, but found that your problems persisted? Have you tried medications, but found that psychiatric appointments were too impersonal or that your concerns about possible side effects or worsening symptoms were met with indifference? I provide evidence-based mental health treatment via telemedicine to residents of Oregon. I strive to create a warm, welcoming environment for clients. I offer a free ten-minute initial phone consultation to determine if we are a good fit for each other.
I love supporting people in better understanding themselves. I value a collaborative relationship with clients as well as crafting the therapeutic experience to meet the needs of each individual I work with. I welcome members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and provide affirming care for folks on the gender spectrum and/or amid gender transition. I have experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, life transition issues, and relationship concerns (family, partners, social) and have specific training in DBT, CBT, and post-modern models. I am a systemic therapist and will often bring larger systems, identity intersections, and relationships into our conversations.
Navigating adulthood is hard: finishing school, establishing careers, building relationships, expanding families, and finding your identity. We believe you should have access to high-quality care during these challenging times, no matter where you are in your journey. We are a group of psychiatric nurse practitioners offering medication and therapy services for young adults with new or long-standing mental health concerns.
UpWell Psychiatry was founded with the intention of giving a more human, personal touch to psychiatry. In a world of 15 minute med checks, our practice seeks to truly meet you where you are at and to understand your symptoms in the context of your life story, not just as check-boxes in a diagnosis list. We believe in working together to come up with a plan that works just for you. Kelly Aldinger, PMHNP specializes in Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Bipolar and loves working with young adults. Megan Sapp, PMHNP, CNM, FNP is a triple certified nurse midwife, family nurse practitioner and psychiatric NP who is exceptional at treating pregnant or post-partum folks, folx working with hormone replacement, as well as those struggling with significant illness, injury, or big life transitions.
When people can feel safe being their most vulnerable and authentic selves, it is such a privilege to witness. I enjoy working with people from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences who are curious about themselves and willing to be open to the therapeutic process. We start by getting to know each other and ideally we move forward to identify and build upon your strengths and work in learning more about patterns that may be holding you back. We work on what we can change, what we must accept, and what we want to challenge in ourselves. We move at a pace that will suit you and I will provide feedback or listen more as you need. We work collaboratively.
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.)
Many of my clients come in feeling weighed down by anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness, eating and body image concerns, and patterns like perfectionism and people-pleasing that feel hard to break. I also work with trauma, relationship patterns, and stress related to school, work, or life transitions. This includes teens and young adults navigating growing independence, or those experiencing family stress such as divorce or major changes at home. I take a relational, collaborative approach to therapy. I draw from CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered therapy in flexible, realistic ways that fit your life. As someone who is neurodivergent and lives with chronic illness, I bring perspectives from both my clinical training and lived experience into our work. Therapy can be a space to slow down and make sense of what you are going through. My role is to help you better understand yourself by uncovering what gets in your way and what actually helps. If you are looking for support, I would be glad to connect and see if working together feels like a good fit.
Living in a world filled with poverty, marginalization, oppression, and pandemic(s) can feel daunting and lead people to feel as though they have little agency. Therapy can be a helpful place to explore the places in our lives where we do have agency, where we are able to make tangible changes-often times this is in our interpersonal relationships. I work from an attachment focused and relational cultural perspective that is grounded in feminist practice which prioritizes the exploration of identities, oppression, intersectionality, and their impact on social and emotional functioning. I draw upon interventions from psychoanalytic psychotherapy, attachment focused therapy, emotionally focused therapy, radical acceptance, and health at every size. I have experience working with people struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, life transitions, gender identity, queer issues, and relationship and family challenges. I take a non-pathologizing approach to working my clients, with a particular focus on those have been marginalized by the mental health profession in the past.
I have always had a passion for giving back to my community and supporting the creation of positive change in ways that are meaningful and respectful to the unique beliefs, needs, and cultures of others. As a therapist I strive to fulfill this passion by helping folks feel empowered to heal, grow, and live authentically. My work is grounded in the belief of the inherent strength of each person, and I am dedicated to helping clients build resilience, self-compassion, and agency in their lives. The approach we decide is best for you will be tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're navigating major life transitions, processing trauma, or exploring gender and sexual identity, I am here to provide a safe, empathetic, and judgment-free space—with just a touch of humor. Together, we’ll identify meaningful strategies to help you build the skills and confidence to move forward in ways that align with your values and goals. Originally from the Midwest, I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University (2017) before moving to Portland. In 2022, I completed my Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver, with an emphasis on trauma and social justice, and have since had the privilege of providing therapy at a local community mental health agency, serving a wide range of folks struggling with complex generational trauma, major life transitions, relationship issues, grief, and gender/sexual identity exploration. Through this experience, I had the privilege of further developing skills specific to LGBTQIA+ folks, a group of individuals near to my heart, which has allowed me to more meaningfully connect with, and help, my community. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me running around the city or Forest Park training for the next half-marathon, at the coast or a hiking with my two wiener dogs, and most importantly spending time with my friends and loved ones. How I Can Help If you're looking for LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy in Portland or support for anxiety, trauma, relationships, or life transitions, I’m here to help. My goal is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care that empowers you to create meaningful change. Whether you're seeking CBT for anxiety, trauma therapy, or support navigating gender identity, I offer a collaborative, affirming, and client-centered approach to help you move forward. I offer both in-person and telehealth therapy, making it easier to access care in a way that fits your needs. Education & Licenses MSW, University of Denver (Trauma & Social Justice Focus) Clinical Social Worker, OR License #L30027
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.
The therapeutic relationship is always at the core of my work with clients, and I aim to establish a sense of trust and safety with each individual. It is important to make therapy a place that feels positive and supportive… and even fun! I am trained in both traditional therapy and art therapy, and I allow my clients to choose what works best for them. I believe that most people are doing the best they can, despite the many challenges, behaviors, emotional roller coasters, and transitions that come up in life. My mission, as a therapist, is to come alongside others in a way that can support and draw out their best selves. I especially enjoy working with folks who might be struggling with issues related to identity development, anxiety, depression, or past trauma. I have training and expertise in the area of attachment and working youth who have been in foster care or adopted.
Being in college right now is tough. Personal struggles, family issues, and the pressure to keep it all together, plus the chaos of everything going on in the world, it makes sense that you're feeling overwhelmed. If you’re dealing with difficult past experiences, family stress, or just the daily pressure of trying to stay afloat, you don’t have to go through it alone. I specialize in helping people process tough emotions, navigate life transitions, and manage stress in healthy ways. I’ve worked with folks navigating trauma, family dynamics, and anxiety—and I use tools like EMDR and IFS to help you work through what’s weighing you down. Therapy is about giving you the space to deal with what’s hard and find practical ways forward, so you can feel more in control and less stuck. I’m passionate about working with women, gender-expansive individuals, and LGBTQ+ folks. No judgment. Just real, down-to-earth support to help you move forward.
The lifelong journey of personal growth and healing creates many opportunities for creativity and connecting with a deeper sense of empowerment. The path to self-realization is an exciting journey. I provide a safe place to explore and break down personal barriers for you enjoy your journey of thriving and living your true self. This is your life. You are worthy! My treatment focus is person-centered and holistic recognizing each person’s identity and culture. I work with struggles related to trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, existential and identity concerns, relationship concerns, and life changes. I incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Creative Therapy, Positive Self-talk, Grief Therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR with tapping, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness Practice while focusing on a personal approach. I provide individual therapy for adults. I will work collaboratively with you to support your self-exploration. It is very important that you have a good match with the person you are working within your journey. It is your best chance to find therapy that works for you. Before we decide to work together, I offer a 15-minute consultation at no cost to you. Finding someone who is a good fit for you is the most important step in your journey.
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!
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.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I specialize in helping people sleep better. This work goes far beyond general sleep tips or advice you may have heard before. I use a structured, research‑based approach that directly targets the patterns keeping sleep stuck, and is shown to produce real, lasting improvement.
My approach to counseling is collaborative, compassionate, patient, and kind. I will focus on understanding you where you are at without judgement, so that you can have greater acceptance of yourself and your experience, and be able to be vulnerable and honest with someone who cares as you navigate the challenges you face. I don't believe that there are any "quick fixes" in therapy - rather, I see counseling as more like a journey of lasting change, personal growth, and self-development, one that can be achieved in relationship with someone who can support you and your process. My work focuses on people at all stages of life who are working through developmental transitions (leaving home, starting or ending a relationship, experiencing big life changes, etc.) who want to better understand who they are, and how they can become the best version of themself using the strengths they have within themselves. I help people to understand themselves and their patterns so they can identify and gain insight about their thoughts, feelings, and identify blind-spots to be able to make choices and move forward in a direction that feels best for them.