Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

I believe that change can occur when a person is provided with a safe and supportive space for exploration and understanding of one’s true self. I work with children, preteens, teens, and young adults from a developmentally sensitive and trauma informed perspective. My approach is based on the belief that the client is the expert on their life and they have internal strength and resources to heal. My role is to accompany you on this journey to find your authentic self. My approach is strength-based, creative and integrates play and humor into therapy. I have specialized training in EMDR, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Mindfulness, Expressive arts, Play and Sand therapy, and sensory processing, I am a culturally competent LGBTQ+ ally and have experience with gender questioning, gender queer, non binary and trans clients

Specialties: Anxiety, Autism, Psychosis, life transitions. Telehealth only for individuals who have PacificSource Health ins. My therapeutic philosophy is that it is very possible, with the right kind of support, to recover from most mental health and life challenges. Let’s have a discussion about what you want to achieve, and we can come up with a plan that will help you live your best life. I treat the people I work with as "people first," rather than labels, cases, or subjects. Since I have been involved with healing work, the definitions for "disorders" has continually changed. Because I believe in the absolute and intrinsic beauty and worth of human beings, I'm more likely to frame something as a challenge or a difficulty than as disorder. One of the nicest things about having been involved in this work for so long is that I've had the privilege to watch people change profoundly when they get the support and encouragement they need. If you work with me, we will spend time reframing whatever "disorder" you believe you have to make your work more precise.

On paper, everything looks good. Underneath though, you're feeling unsettled and struggling. The people I work with typically look like they are doing well in school and in life, but are struggling to manage their feelings and feel settled in their bodies and mind. I help those struggling with anxiety and depression who are not sure why they feel the way they do. I help people find beneficial coping skills instead of relying on possibly harmful ones. Being a student and navigating the landscape, both locally and globally can feel very overwhelming. I help people break things down into manageable pieces in order to restore a sense of agency and confidence. If you have any questions or need some support, feel free to message me. I return inquiries within 24 hours during the week and on Monday if sent over the weekend.

It's hard work to be a person! Each of us, no matter where we are in life, have our own personal struggles and successes to tell. Be it the stress of our present moment, our anxieties about the future, or the pain of our past, I would be honored to support you. As a counselor, I strive to provide a safe, productive, and healing space to understand and accept our past, so that we can fully partake in the gifts of the present. All are celebrated here. My areas of specialization include PTSD, Panic and Anxiety Disorders, Religious/Spiritual Traumas, as well as Bipolar and Schizophrenia Disorders.

The foundation of counseling is a nonjudgmental, empathetic, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. My first goal is to create a safe and accepting relational space where my clients can be their true selves and explore their emotions and experiences. I tailor treatment to the needs of each client, drawing on several different approaches, including AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy). Depending on the goals of my clients, I help them process past trauma, work through difficult emotions, address anxiety, and arrive at what attitude they want to adopt towards their struggles. AEDP is my primary approach to counseling, and I receive ongoing training in it. It is particularly well suited to processing past trauma. It is attachment based, meaning we look at the impact of past childhood relationships. I am also helping my clients raise their awareness of their bodies and increase their ability to both access and regulate emotions. I earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University in February of 2024. I have been working at Empowering Choices Counseling and Consultation as a counseling associate since the summer of 2024. My previous professional experience includes working as a treatment aide with youth and men at a residential addiction treatment program and a nine-month counseling internship I did at Empowering Choices as part of my master’s program. I work with adults of all ages, specializing in helping people work through trauma, depression, and anxiety. Over time, the counseling journey can help you process difficult emotions, heal from trauma, find inner strength, and gain clarity on life. Like other vehicles of personal growth, counseling involves challenging yourself in new ways, but an empathetic, non-judgmental, and encouraging guide can provide the support and safety needed to navigate the challenges.

Struggling with navigating life, managing in a world that may feel overwhelming, and still managing to get up every day, looking to better yourself and your relationships? You may struggle with anxiety or depression, confusion or stress due to a whole host of reasons. Infidelity, infertility, body image, low self-worth, lack of confidence, existential crises, unhealthy coping mechanisms, narcissistic moms, everyday stressors and life transitions. Anything sound familiar? You may feel isolated and alone. Don’t worry. You’re not! You are unique, but you are not alone. Many many people struggle with these things and come to learn how to live differently.

I like to think of therapy as a journey of inner exploration and I am along as a guide. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is a combination of intellectual understanding and emotional experience. In that regard, it feels like your feelings are our road signs that we are in the right track to self-growth. I try to not have a specific agenda going into sessions, but rather to go where it is you feel like you need to go at that time. I believe that it is my role to create a safe space for you to express and explore whatever it is that is inside you. Compassion is key, and cultivating self-compassion is one of the most important elements of therapy. I look forward to helping you explore and become more self-aware and self-compassionate!

Hi, I’m Alex Pelaez, an Associate Professional Counselor practicing under the clinical supervision of Hailey Halesworth, LPC, CADC II, and I’m glad you’re here. I work best with students who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves—often while trying to look “fine” on the outside. Therapy takes true courage, and my goal is to create an empowering, compassionate environment where you can safely engage in self-discovery, build resilience, and offer yourself grace as you heal. Grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), we will explore your social and cultural connections to help you understand where disconnections may have caused pain, strengthen your voice, and develop practical coping skills. I also integrate creative and body-centered modalities—including music, artwork, and somatic experiences—to support holistic healing for both mind and body. You don’t need the perfect words to start; we’ll meet exactly where you are and move at a pace that feels safe and doable. If you’re looking for a grounded, supportive space focused on real change, I’d love to connect.

I enjoy working with folks who are navigating issues of anxiety, depression, ADHD, perfectionism, emotion regulation, grief, stress management, or relationship dynamics & communication skills. Therapy can also be a great place to receive support from a neutral person not already involved in your life, potentially to help develop self-awareness, self-confidence, or explore your future goals & plans. I especially enjoy working with University students who are pursuing their Masters or PhD degrees in Graduate School, though I also work with many Undergrad students adjusting to college life as well. Additionally, I have experience with student athletes & the intersection of mental health with sports performance.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work primarily with queer and trans individuals and those navigating identity, transition, and healing from systemic and interpersonal harm. I am also passionate about supporting medical providers, neurodivergent folks, and those that have experienced chronic and/or complex trauma. Drawing from Relational-Cultural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and components of Dilectical Behavioral Theapy, I support clients in deepening self-understanding, building meaningful connections, and moving toward lives aligned with their values. My work is rooted in harm reduction, Health at Every Size, and a commitment to collective liberation and decolonial practice.

I have experience supporting adolescents and young adults struggling with relationship challenges, stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, emotion regulation, life transitions/adjustments, and adoption. It would be my privilege to come alongside you as you explore, identify, and work to resolve the root of your challenges, as you author new narratives for yourself and your experiences, and as you develop skills for relief and resilience. I work from an attachment and trauma-responsive lens. I am trained in Brainspotting and am a Certified Grief-Informed Professional. My approach is eclectic: I draw on skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), experiential therapies, narrative therapy, and somatic therapy.

Align Counseling’s philosophy and approach to services is one of inclusivity of all individuals regardless of their age, race, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, sexual orientation, or economic status. Everyone has the right to quality care and Align Counseling wants to ensure this is possible. Align Counseling currently accepts clients through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) all CCOs, Moda, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pacific Source Commercial, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, and Providence.

Prior to establishing a private practice, I worked within a university counseling center setting and I have several years of experience working with college students. I have supported students struggling with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, depression, trauma, grief/loss, adjustment, disordered eating, racism/discrimination and more. It’s important to me that I understand my clients experiences and work collaboratively with them to support their goals. My approach is strength-based, trauma-informed, and rooted within a multicultural/feminist framework that attends to cultural identity and socio-cultural context, reinforces resilience, and focuses on empowerment.

Accepting new clients! Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected? You’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. As a bilingual (English/Spanish) Latina therapist, I know how powerful it is to feel truly seen, especially when you're navigating complex experiences around identity, culture, relationships, or emotional wellbeing. Therapy with me isn't about quick fixes, it’s about building insight, finding your voice, and reconnecting with your own inner strength. Together, we’ll explore what’s been holding you back and begin creating the kind of life and relationships that feel more aligned with who you are. I support clients in navigating anxiety, self-doubt, and life transitions with warmth and practical tools. In our work, you'll gain insight, set boundaries, and reconnect with your strengths so you can feel more grounded, empowered, and aligned with who you truly are

As a University of Oregon Graduate, I understand the challenges students can face. College can be presented as a fun experience where you meet new people and prepare for your future. While we all hope this is the case, sometimes life happens. The pressure of classes, grades, family, or personal challenges can get in the way of your experience. Having the right support system and tools to navigate life as a student is important, and I am here to help.

I specialize in supporting college students who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of campus life—from managing academic pressure and navigating new social environments to handling personal transitions and stress. I understand that many students share common experiences such as balancing coursework, part-time work, and relationships, while also grappling with uncertainty about the future. Who I Help My approach works best for students who: Feel anxious about their studies or future career choices. Struggle with balancing social life, academics, and personal well-being. Are navigating significant life transitions (e.g., moving away from home, starting new relationships). Need a supportive, non-judgmental space to talk through their challenges. How I Work I use clear, everyday language to explain ideas and strategies—no confusing jargon here. Whether you're dealing with stress, low self-esteem, or just need someone to listen, my goal is to help you understand your situation better and build practical steps toward a healthier, more balanced life. Why This Might Be Right for You If you’re a student looking for a compassionate professional who understands the unique pressures of campus life, we might be a great fit. I’m here to help you explore your feelings, develop strategies to manage stress, and set you on a path toward personal growth and success.

College is supposed to be when you figure out who you are, which is a strange task to hand someone who's also drowning in problem sets, roommate drama, and a bank account that hits zero the week before rent. If you're queer, trans, neurodivergent, disabled, fat, BIPOC, or some combination, you're doing that figuring-out with fewer road maps and more people who think your existence needs an explanation. At Soma Roots Therapy, we work with students navigating identity, family expectations, body image, burnout, and the specific loneliness of being surrounded by people and still feeling unseen. Our approach pays attention to what's happening in your body, not just your thought spirals, and it starts from the belief that your struggles usually aren't a personal failing — they're a reasonable response to unreasonable systems (capitalism, diet culture, whichever one's currently ruining your week). We're LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, neurodivergent-affirming, and fat-affirming as a baseline, not a specialty. No pronoun explanations required. No convincing us your body is fine as it is. We show up, we listen, and yes, we'll probably crack a joke somewhere in there — healing doesn't have to be humorless, even when it's hard. We see clients by telehealth across Oregon and Washington, so therapy can happen between classes instead of instead of them. Check out our website to see which insurances we accept and to schedule your Free 20-minute Consult directly from our website to see if we might be a good fit for you.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and the impact of past experiences. Many students I see feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to cope with everything they’re carrying. I offer a supportive, grounded space to help you better understand yourself, build coping skills, and feel more connected and confident in your daily life.

As a licensed therapist with over three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, family dynamics, grief, and significant life transitions. I bring a compassionate and nuanced approach to addressing communication challenges, workplace issues, and personal growth. My work is deeply rooted in understanding the unique experiences of women, young adults, and individuals facing profound life changes, including those dealing with cancer or end-of-life transitions. I am committed to creating a supportive, empathetic space where clients can explore their personal narratives, heal from past experiences, and develop meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. Drawing from my extensive background, I offer culturally responsive care that honors each individual's journey. My goal is to walk alongside you, providing thoughtful guidance and support as you move toward greater understanding, resilience, and personal empowerment.