Therapists for college students near Portland State University

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who grew up in rural Northern California, where adequate mental health care was not accessible, and differences were not celebrated. I developed a passion for helping others after watching people I cared about struggle without support and going through my own challenges as an adolescent and young adult. After settling in the Portland Metro Area, I have developed a great love of our area's diverse populations and green landscapes, combining all the beauty the Willamette Valley has to offer with the convenience and luxury of inner-city resources and diversity. I have experience working in community mental health, hospice, and counseling with adults and teens ranging from late adolescents to the elderly. I especially enjoy working with those struggling with life transitions, trauma, chronic illnesses, depression, and anxiety. I believe that fostering safety and unconditional positive regard is the backbone of the therapeutic relationship. I use these core Rogerian principles and a strength-based approach along with techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy to aid people in broadening their perspectives, changing behaviors that are not working for them, and developing practical tools they can use in their day-to-day lives. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy and am variably directive in my approach depending on client needs. I am honored by those who share their brightest and darkest times with me. Time and time again, I am amazed by the strength and resilience of those who actively seek change. When I am not with clients, I can be found wrangling my two young children. I am a music, gardening, hiking, equine, and canine enthusiast. I also feel passionately about women supporting women and have enjoyed networking with other women in my local community.

Are you struggling or wondering about what is happening and going on inside of you? Struggling with connecting, communicating, how you see yourself, or feeling different when around others? Do you feel your values and morals have become different then your family or community due to life experiences or learned knowledge? Let us talk and explore for yourself and your life experiences to help calm your thoughts and body.

I work dynamically and intuitively with a focus on mind body awareness. I combine my knowledge from natural medicine, energy healing, authentic relating, social justice work, ecofeminism, conscious philosophy, yoga, meditation, nonviolent communication, to serve in a holistic and transpersonal approach. I believe that we are all whole and complete. I believe learning is remembering. I believe that each person deserves to be seen, heard, held and loved. I have worked intimately with the concepts of being and belonging. I take into account systemic issues and intersectionality with every client I work with. Some of these populations include: LGBTQI+, BIPOC, Buddhist contemplative, kink/sex positive, body positive communities. I have also worked intimately with survivors of domestic abuse, those dealing with codependent tendencies, eating disorders, chronic illness/pain, developmental trauma and grief. Overall, I work best with those who are curious about being more in their bodies and are dedicated to the growth and learning process.

I provide online therapy for individuals and couples in Oregon and Washington, and in person therapy in the Hood River area. Therapy is an opportunity to engage with someone authentically and without judgement. Someone who cares about you though is not attached to the choices you make as a friend or family member might be. Someone with many years of experience and training in mental health, who is actively engaged in their own personal growth journey as well. I provide therapy that is relational, present focused, grounded in experience, and centered in the therapeutic alliance. The relationship between myself and my client(s) is the foundation of the work and is built on trust and a genuine connection. Though the work emerges out of the here and now experience between client(s) and therapist, it also investigates how the past shapes our character, choices, and life in the present. I am a Gestalt therapist and utilize concepts such as compassion, acceptance, and mindfulness to guide the work. I often incorporate EMDR and IFS approaches. I value and respect difference and work with clients from all backgrounds, orientations, and cultures. My goal in the work is to raise awareness so that the client has more agency in their life. Clients’ goals typically include feeling better, gaining insight, or managing life more skillfully. Common presenting issues are depression, anxiety, trauma responses, difficulty navigating relationships, managing emotions, and more. The work can be long term and in depth, and/or it can be shorter term and focused on tangible change. I am happy to offer a free brief phone consultation so we can decide if we are a good fit.

Our therapists love working with college students because they are at such an important time in their lives and it’s a rich time for growth and deeper self understanding. The clients we help the most are committed to the process of self awareness and change, even if it’s hard. Going to college can be scary and bring up a lot of challenges. It can be hard to live separately from your family for the first time. There can be so many difficulties at college that you didn’t expect. We are here to help. Our therapists are relatable and effective in their work. We welcome you!

We here at Brave Acorn help people in the greater Portland area align body, mind, and emotions in their daily lives. We are trauma-trained, take a Health at Every Size approach to food and weight issues, and encourage people to work with their body and emotions as allies (rather than enemies) on their journey towards growth and healing.

Vista Counseling is a locally owned group practice comprising a diverse team of licensed and pre-licensed therapists with various specialties. Our dedicated Intake Specialist team is committed to matching you with the therapist best suited to meet your needs. We are in-network with all major insurance providers, including Kaiser. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to wellness!

Hello, We are a practice of ten therapists that specialize in anxiety, neurodiversity, depression, managing chronic stress, and trauma. We have therapists that are members of the BIPOC community and therapists that are bilingual. We practice EMDR, ACT, IFS and many other types of therapy models. Please reach out if we can be of help!

I believe healing and growth occur in psychotherapy when you first establish a supportive, collaborative therapeutic relationship. That is why I offer a safe, nurturing space where you can speak and be listened to with empathy and free from judgement. Past experiences, and how you attempt to understand them, can affect numerous areas of your life and sometimes lead you to feel stuck in certain patterns of behavior. In therapy, we will work together to help you better understand your behaviors, overcome life challenges, navigate obstacles, and build skills to cope with difficult emotions, so that you can find a new way forward. I value the unique aspects of each individual and therefore integrate a culturally sensitive approach with my patients. This means I understand that racial, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual identities interact with one’s beliefs and behavior, and believe that it is more effective to vary my therapeutic approach from person to person, depending on a client’s culture group, rather than to simply use the same standard treatment approach for everyone. My goal is to build a relationship based on authenticity and open communication throughout the course of therapy to ensure satisfaction. I’m here to listen, support and guide you on a healthy, empowered path.

Real life is complicated and often times, it hurts. The struggles that we experience can take on a variety of forms, ranging from depression and anxiety, to trauma. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am dedicated to supporting my clients on their journey towards healing, empowerment and hope. I strive to offer a personalized and collaborative approach in therapy that focuses on developing strong, trusting relationships with my clients. I utilize a trauma-informed, humanistic, strength-based, non-judgmental style to provide a safe space for my clients to explore, heal and grow. I work with a wide variety of clients and work in depth with trauma/abuse, women’s issues, anxiety, depression, young adult/phase-of-life challenges, and childhood & relationship issues. I aspire to help my clients improve their coping skills, enhance relationships, increase self-esteem and build positive communication skills. I encourage potential clients to reach out to me in order to see how the two of us connect. I truly look forward to meeting you, and hope we can work together to find the growth and change that you are looking for.

The ValueCore philosophy is that you have absolute value based on your intrinsic worth. This is how we see you; and the core from which we offer treatment. With you, we may utilize talk therapy, medication management, education, evaluation, encouragement, accountability, and self-discovery, which leads to insight, direction, and meaningful change. Together we work to foster the realization that happiness is the rule for you and not the exception. As you accept your personal value and implement the changes you need for yourself, we hope you will be free to grow, relax and recreate, socialize, work and serve others, educate, and live a fulfilling life. Now accepting new patients ages 5-64.

I work with teens, college students, and adults of all ages who are navigating anxiety, ADHD, identity exploration, life transitions, and more. My clients often describe me as approachable, creative, and affirming. I proudly identify as queer, gender non-conforming, and neurodivergent — and I deeply value creating a space where folks feel seen, heard, and supported as their full selves. Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years working in senior services, disability advocacy, and holistic health. In 2016, a turning point in my own mental health journey helped me realize how powerful compassionate, well-rounded care can be. That experience inspired me to return to school and become a therapist myself. While attending Portland State University, I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 42 — a moment that gave me greater insight and drive to support others on similar paths. In therapy, I integrate tools from DBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-informed care, and I love working with folks who are looking for something a little different than traditional talk therapy. With your consent as our foundation, we’ll work together to clarify your goals and build practical, meaningful strategies that support your growth. Please note: I don’t routinely offer initial consultation calls, except by special request. Feel free to check out my website at www.dynamic-therapy-alliance.com, and if you have questions or want to get a sense of fit, you’re always welcome to send me an email. I’d be honored to support you on your journey.

Do you worry constantly, have a persistent fear of failure or judgement and feel on edge with just about anything? Feeling like you’re not good enough, not living the life you want to live, or that you’ve lost touch with the things that bring you happiness with little hope that you can live life in a fulfilling way? Have you had a traumatic experience that left you feeling disconnected and having a hard time trusting people, with the need to protect and numb yourself? These things can impact our physical and mental wellbeing, keep us up at night, make us feel disconnected from the people closest to us and reduce our ability to achieve what we want in life. I may be able to help. I have experience guiding people with these concerns to make meaningful changes to increase their satisfaction with life. A sense of safety, confidence, hope, fulfillment and loving connections with your important people is what I work to achieve with you and it can be done. Research shows that 75% of people experience positive results after seeing a therapist. One of the most important predictors of positive outcomes in therapy is the therapeutic alliance, or the partnership between therapist and client. Therapeutic alliance means shared decision-making, mutual respect, non-judgement, empathy and understanding in the therapy room. I focus heavily on these elements so we can work smarter and not harder and to create an alliance that produces the results you want in therapy.

We offer psychiatric medication management services primarily via telehealth to patients in OR, WA, UT and MN. The information below is for Madeline Jacobs PMHNP who is currently accepting new patients for medication management. Three more providers are in the credentialing process.

Jonathan holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in health psychology and community mental health. Jonathan believes that everyone deserves to thrive mentally, physically, and socially in ways that are meaningful to themselves. He is trained in several evidence-based psychotherapies and is currently utilizing trauma- and attachment-informed narrative therapy, Lifespan Integration, EMDR for adults and children. Jonathan has experience working with children, adults, older adults, and families. He works with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, attention deficits and hyperactivity, parent-child conflicts, and serious mental illness. Jonathan additionally has a background in clinical research. He began as an undergraduate research assistant for the Director at the University of California at Irvine, School of Medicine, Traumatic Stress Program examining the interplay of PTSD, psychiatric interventions, and brain imaging. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, listening to audiobooks, exploring the nature of the Pacific Northwest and volunteering for the Holocaust Survivor Services.

Jon Haley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He was born and raised in Michigan and received bachelors degrees in Spanish Language and Political Science from Alma College, and his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jon has work experience in the government, non-profit sector, child welfare, in-patient, and outpatient mental health. Jon enjoys working with, adolescents, adults, and couples. His specialties include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-informed), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Couples Therapy and providing mental health support for the LGBTQ+ and veteran communities. Jon has experience working with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. His therapeutic framework is person-centered and environment focused. When outside of the office, Jon likes to spend time in the outdoors, take care of his plants, walk his miniature poodle Harvey Milk and listen to NPR. A message from Jon: “Thank you for reading my profile. It’s truly a privilege to be allowed into my client’s lives. I believe that everyone is trying the best they can with the resources available to them. I help my clients balance between acceptance of their current situation, and implementing change strategies to build the “life worth living” that they want and deserve. This is the essence of DBT - engaging in the dialectic, the balance of two opposite ideals. Taking that first step in seeking out help is often the hardest, but can also be the most rewarding. I look forward to working with you.” “You cannot think yourself into a new way of acting, you can only act yourself into a new way of thinking.” –Marsh Linehan

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.

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 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.

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.