Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

Hi, I'm Grace. I work with young adults who are recovering from traumatic experiences or are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and fear. Many of my clients are highly sensitive and seeking relief from fears or worries that interfere with their life, are navigating the effects of a recent traumatic event, or grew up being told they are “too shy” or “too sensitive.” I believe you aren’t “too” anything. I value working with college students because I first sought my own therapy at the student counseling center of my university during a time I felt extremely overwhelmed and couldn’t understand why it was so hard for me to relax. It was transformative to process my experiences with a professional who could put language to what I was thinking and feeling, and offer tools to help me move forward. This was one of the major reasons I decided to pursue my own career as a therapist. Seeking therapy can feel vulnerable and it often takes time to build trust. Whatever your story is, my goal is to create a safe and compassionate space to facilitate healing, reflection, and growth.

My goal is to support your growth and well-being through a collaborative, compassionate counseling relationship. Together, we’ll identify challenges, explore thought and emotional patterns, and work toward meaningful goals. My approach is practical, affirming, and values-based. I specialize in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and work with concerns including anxiety, depression, chronic illness, life transitions, burnout, and relationships. I enjoy helping clients build coping skills, improve communication, and navigate identity, grief, stress, and women’s health. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Solution-Focused Therapy. My approach is shaped by specialized training in trauma-informed practices, emphasizing trust, choice, and connection. In addition, I’m trained in clinical supervision and writing WPATH letters for gender-affirming surgery. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you don’t have to face it alone. Together, we’ll create a supportive space to explore what matters to you and find practical ways to move forward. Your feelings are valid, and I’m here to help you discover the strength and clarity within yourself.

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.

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.

If you are new to therapy or returning to it, it's normal to feel anxious or unsure about where to start. It's a big step and also it's an opportunity to grow, develop new insights and increase capacity to feel grounded. I work from a place of deep empathy, understanding, intuition, and humor. In order for therapy to be transformative and healing, a good therapeutic relationship must be built. Together we will identify barriers to your emotional, relational and functional well being. Let's work together.

"I am a failure." -"I am broken." -"I have nothing to offer." -"If I make changes, everyone will hate me." -"I can't change." ...Do these sound familiar? You've been trying to solve everything on your own but you're feeling stuck. You really need a space where you can talk through ALL of the jumbled up thoughts and feelings inside, because you're starting to feel like a pressure cooker. I'm a LGBTQIA+ and relationship affirming therapist specializing in trans and nonbinary wellness. I'm experienced with providing counseling to folks across the lifespan, and in and around the gender binary. I'm a staunch believer that all people have the resources inside themselves to make changes toward becoming ever more healthy, connected, and complex. The focus of my approach is self-acceptance. This means that I'm not going to push you to talk about things you're not ready to talk about yet. Instead, we'll make space for you to examine YOUR process toward making the changes YOU want in your life--because it's about damn time. And "I can't change" is, well, bullsh*t.

Dr. Kittinger is passionate about entering into the depths and carving out an intentional space that cultivates curiosity and authentic connection. As a relational psychodynamic therapist, Dr. Kittinger’s approach to therapy focuses on transformational change through the context of relationship. She engages her patients with a balance of acknowledging suffering and challenging difficult patterns to facilitate each persons own unique healing. Dr. Kittinger prioritizes the authenticity of the moment, attending to and unlocking conscious and unconscious patterns of how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. She utilizes a soft but direct approach to explore with each patient what it means to increase awareness into their own needs, wants, and to increase agency in their own lives. Wherever you are at in your process, her hope is to co-create a space open to deep and thoughtful self-reflection established gradually with trust and safety to take steps toward healing, transformation, and personal fulfillment. Dr. Kittinger meets with patients in-person and virtually and is licensed in Oregon and Washington.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 15 years experience in the field. I earned my Masters in Counseling from George Fox University in 2010 and my Bachelors in Psychology from PSU in 1993. My clinical specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, life transitions, addictions and burnout. I believe we all have our own inner wisdom and guidance, and therapy is a process of getting in touch with that. Insight is valuable and yet we often need more than that, including a compassionate witness, and skilled guidance through the change process. I value the therapeutic relationship and am an engaged therapist, doing my best to attune to where you are and what can best serve you in our work. I use evidence-based practices that are client-centered and Mind/Body/Spirit oriented. I have been trained in multiple modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I am also currently enrolled in the IFS certification program after having completed Level 1 training. Outside of therapy I enjoy the great outdoors, especially hiking and trail running, caring for stray/feral cats, meditating, listening to music and connecting with friends/community. I welcome all races, all religions, all socio-economic status, all sexual orientations, all gender identities and expressions, all abilities, all ethnicities, all bodies, ALL PEOPLE.

Are you struggling to engage or enjoy activities you once used to, or to make healthy friendships, connect, stay focused on studies? Perhaps you are noticing that acute or past traumas are getting in the way of feeling safe in your own body and coping is or has become very difficult. I specialize in working with emerging, young adults who battle anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex childhood trauma, addiction, suicidal thoughts and more. Counseling with me will be a warm, authentic and safe experience where together, we can gently process the thoughts, fears and doubts that keep you feeling stuck and perhaps miserable. Therapy may involve processing trauma, helping you develop increased awareness, exploring thought processes, relationships and behavior patterns, as well as learning new skills to manage your symptoms and relationships.

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!

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.

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 caught in an unending cycle of feeling insufficient, regardless of your achievements or efforts? As you navigate various roles in your life – partner, friend, caregiver, parent/child, coworker, or manager do you constantly feel like you're falling short, despite your best efforts? Anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, and fear can be an overwhelming experience. You are “fine” and you’re waiting for that other shoe to drop. I specialize in helping adults struggling with trauma, grief, and life transitions by navigating intense emotions, finding peace, and rebuilding connections with themselves and others. As a multiracial therapist, I am deeply committed to supporting BIPOC individuals, particularly in addressing family of origin and ethnic identity/cultural concerns. I also enjoy working with military families. My approach is grounded in scientific principles, tailored to help you break free from a cycle that keeps you from the life you want. Whether stemming from past trauma, intricate learning histories, or the pressures of daily life, these challenges may make you feel like you're merely existing rather than truly living. If you're ready to move beyond survival mode and embrace a life that aligns with your true self, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Tyler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I). His approach is grounded in Transpersonal Psychology, EMDR, Jungian Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Depth Psychology. He believes deeply in the power of the therapeutic relationship to create lasting transformation—both individually and collectively. Tyler’s clinical experience includes inpatient behavioral health, intensive addiction treatment, individual counseling, and outpatient care at a combat trauma clinic. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado. In addition to traditional modalities, Tyler is a 400-hour certified breathwork facilitator and a 200-hour certified Tantra Yoga teacher. He integrates somatic, breath-based, and embodied practices into his work and currently serves as a ketamine-assisted therapist at a clinic in Portland, Oregon. A veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Tyler brings a grounded and compassionate understanding of trauma, helping clients explore how painful experiences can be transformed into paths of resilience, wholeness, and personal empowerment. ​ Whether you’re navigating trauma, addiction, identity, or the call to deeper self-awareness, Tyler meets you where you are—helping you reconnect with your innate wisdom and capacity for transformation.

I support college students through relationships, academics, anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, and trauma. Working toward goals in these areas of life can be stressful and overwhelming, and you don't have to do it alone! Together we will partner to identify your needs, develop ways of getting through the day to day, and make lasting changes. Feel tree to text, call, or email me, and we can get started right away.

We all come into therapy for different reasons. Some people may have specific challenges they are looking to overcome, while others may just need to explore why they feel the way they do. Both in relationships and as individuals, often we first feel the barriers in front of us before we really understand where they are coming from. Challenges in my own life and the very complexities of identity itself have profoundly shaped my empathetic approach to life. I see therapy as a conversation, and I am deeply committed to maintaining an open dialogue with you. I also recognize that you are the expert on your own lived experiences. I am here to support you in your journey of resilience, empowerment, and self-discovery. I provide a space where you can feel safe exploring gender and sexual identities, overcoming the stigma of addiction, understanding the impact of discrimination, overcoming depression, anxiety, trauma and other intersecting issues. My approach to counseling is based on a holistic person-centered philosophy that emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. As a therapist, my primary goal is to empower you to take control of your journey toward change, providing a safe and collaborative space where we can work together.

I'm a provider with 16 years experience working with LGBTQIA+ adult clients. My work often involves supporting folks around gender, sexuality, and family of origin issues, among all the other things people seek therapy for. I am trained in two different types of trauma therapy (EMDR and Flash) that are less talk-therapy focused, for folks who need different ways to approach things.

I work with folks struggling with depression, grief, anxiety, life transitions, and the countless other stressors life throws at us. My hope is to create a space where you can show up fully human—to laugh, cry, and talk about the hard stuff without fear of judgment. I invite you to bring yourself and all of the parts that come along with you. This is a privilege I do not take lightly and will honor as we walk through this journey together. If this resonates, I’d love to connect and see if working together feels right. My work is informed by systems-thinking and anti-oppressive frameworks, drawing from Narrative, Emotion-Focused, and Internal Family Systems approaches. I’m especially interested in how our relationships and identities shape who we are and who we’re becoming. I know finding a therapist can feel like a big step, and I believe connection really matters. I’m a relational therapist who values building a collaborative, compassionate, and supportive relationship. I see you as the expert of your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as you reflect, explore, and grow.

RACHEL Z THERAPY | IFS THERAPY & ATTACHMENT WORK FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS | OREGON, WASHINGTON & MASSACHUSETTS Helping Young Adults Heal from Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Adult Parent Challenges SPECIALTIES: ANXIETY & STRESS MANAGEMENT, IFS & ATTACHMENT THERAPY, EMOTIONAL & SELF-REGULATION Are you a college student or young adult struggling with a parent who never saw or validated you? Feeling guilt, shame, or constantly “not good enough” can affect your confidence, relationships, and mental health. I help students COPE WITH UNLOVING PARENTS, SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES, and HEAL INNER CHILD WOUNDS so you can thrive on campus and beyond. MY SERVICES FOR COLLEGE & YOUNG ADULT CLIENTS 1. IFS & ATTACHMENT THERAPY FOR YOUNG ADULTS • INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) THERAPY to explore and heal inner child parts • IDEAL PARENT FIGURE (IPF) WORK for estrangement or boundary-setting • ATTACHMENT THERAPY to improve relationships, confidence, and emotional security 2. EMOTIONAL & SELF-REGULATION • EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT) TAPPING for anxiety, stress, or overwhelm • Somatic and mindfulness techniques to reduce burnout and boost focus • Tools to increase SELF-ACCEPTANCE, CONFIDENCE, and RESILIENCE IN-PERSON SESSIONS (ARRANGED BY PHONE) In-person sessions are available in PORTLAND, OR and are reserved for INTENSIVE WORK, ranging from 90 minutes up to 4 hours. Ideal for deep healing, inner-child work, and boundary-setting. WHY WORK WITH ME • Licensed in MASSACHUSETTS, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON STATE • Board-Certified and Certified Child & Family Specialist • 18+ years experience supporting trauma survivors, children, and families • Therapist, parent, and daughter who has personally healed from an unloving mother I combine EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES—EFT, IFS, AND ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED WORK—with real-world guidance to help college students feel SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EMPOWERED. YOU DESERVE TO FEEL ENOUGH. YOU DESERVE PEACE, JOY, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. 📅 SCHEDULE A 20-MINUTE CONSULTATION ($25) to see if we’re a good fit. No pressure, no obligation—just a safe space to explore your next steps. Let’s work together to RECLAIM YOUR LIFE, REDUCE ANXIETY, SET BOUNDARIES, AND THRIVE IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND. Click to book now.