Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

I draw from person-centered care, treating anxiety through mindfulness-based therapy, and evidence-based approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I especially enjoy working with college students navigating career and life transitions, as well as adults experiencing anxiety, depression, or Bipolar II Disorder. My style as a psychologist is warm, collaborative, and grounded in kindness, while also making space for humor and lightness when appropriate.

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 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.

I help adult individuals, youth and families navigate difficult times, process past traumas and become aware of unhelpful thinking patterns and habits. I have extensive experience assisting others in overcoming depression, PTSD, anxiety and trauma-based symptoms. I approach the therapeutic relationship with warmth, kindness, genuine curiosity and positive regard. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be cooperative, honest and strength focused. This aligns with research on the subject showing that outcomes depend on a strong and genuine connection. I have been formally trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), family systems theory and collaborative problem solving (CPS). I hold a master’s degree in counseling psychology and strive to continue my own education and personal growth.

Welcome! I specialize in parts work, EMDR, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I can help you heal your nervous system, expand your emotional capacity, and relate more effectively. I work with adults who feel stuck in thoughts, emotions, or relationship patterns that just aren’t working. I also work with those struggling with a sudden stressor or those who want to work through past events. This can include things like trauma, depression, a challenging transition or the loss of a loved one, or low self-esteem and persistent self-criticism or doubt. You might feel the impact at work or in school, in your close relationships, or in your relationship with yourself. My collaborative approach integrates evidence-based therapy methods with compassion, humor, and attuned listening. I am directive as needed, provide structure, and welcome long silences, fast-paced intensity, and everything in between. Together, we will explore past experiences, patterns, and what is happening in the here and now to foster clarity, cultivate change, and increase satisfaction in your life and relationships. We will also practice concrete skills such as assertive communication, boundary setting, and emotion regulation. I find that most people who come to see me are ultimately longing for a sense of inner peace, personal agency, and meaningful connections. Change is possible. Let’s work towards it together. I offer a free 15-20 minute initial consultation call to go over questions and see if we might be a good fit.

Hi there! I love working with college students on anxiety, stress management, relationship issues, and figuring out adulting. Trauma therapy is a specialty of mine- I'm trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (also known as parts work). As your therapist, my main goal is to be present with you and teach you how to be present with yourself. I currently have openings Tues, Wed, and Thurs mornings with Aetna and PacificSource insurances. Reach out to me via email if it sounds like a good fit!

Hi there! My vision of successful therapy is that you feel at home in yourself and maintain that center as you engage with the world around you. You will experience more ease, compassion, connection, balance, expansiveness, and a clarity about who you are and where you stand in relation to the experiences that brought you to therapy to begin with. Your issues may include not feeling like yourself, feeling stuck, grieving a loss, feeling flat, numb, or disconnected, sensing that something is missing or off, struggling with identity or life transitions, being in need of support in parenting, or just sensing that this is important somehow. Our work will bring you back to your center, wholeness, and new possibilities by providing corrective and missing experiences, acceptance, and connection through mindful, experiential, supportive and body-based therapies. The relationship between a therapist and client is the foundation of transformation and I invite inquiries to see if we could be a good fit for one another.

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.

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.

I love working with college students as it is such a formative time as a young adult. College can be challenging as you navigate your way along the path while figuring out your direction in life. I work best with those who are not afraid to do the work that comes along with being in therapy. You get out of it what you put into it, basically. It is important for me that my clients feel comfortable and that they can be themselves around me. I like to check in with my clients on occasion to make sure we are on the right track to achieving your therapy goals. I mostly do talk therapy and have been trained in EMDR, which is a modality that is used to resolve traumatic memories and events.

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.

Matthew is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Oregon. He provides counseling to individual adults, couples and geriatric clients. He is a certified geriatric and dementia expert (U. of Michigan). Matthew utilizes the Rogerian approach to therapy, empowering patients by leaning on nonjudgmental, positive regard, building strong rapport and trust with patients. Matthew incorporates strength-based approaches of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. He wants the patient to explore their strengths and examine their challenges through a self-reflective lens so the patient can recognize why they struggle in certain areas of life. He sees patients that are facing difficulties with anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, grief and loss and relationship issues with marriage and parenting. He also has experience with crisis training to help military and first responders. Matthew employs several interventions including challenging negative thought patterns, relaxation training, sleep hygiene, and exposure therapy. Matthew earned his Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. He is a native of New Orleans, has a wife, five children and three dogs. He is an avid walker, fisherman and sports enthusiast.

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.

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.

I aim to create an environment that is respectful, supportive, and collaborative. My approach to therapy is primarily based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A core idea in ACT is that trying too hard to get rid of or control our emotions tends to backfire. Thus, instead of trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts, feelings, or emotions, I will help you learn to react differently to them so that you can keep your focus on living a meaningful and fulfilling life based on what’s important to you. This type of approach places your values at the center of therapy. Using your values and existing strengths as a foundation, we will work together to set meaningful goals to address your concerns –whether they relate to life transitions, depression, anxiety, body image, grief/loss, job or academic stress, or gender and sexuality. I have extensive training in working with transgender and gender diverse adults, youth, and families. Transgender clients seeking assessment or counseling services can expect a safe space, and respectful, non-pathologizing, collaborative care. If you are looking for someone to work with regarding gender identity and exploration, I can provide education, support, preparation, and, if indicated, reports/letters for surgery.

The therapeutic relationship is the key to my approach. Together we will build strong therapeutic relationship through mutual trust and understanding. This creates a safe environment for self-exploration, growth and development. I believe that if we work collaboratively we can identify problems and personalize treatment direction. My goal is to help you cope with your daily struggles, improve resiliency and create lasting change. With the right skills, each individual has the capacity to accomplish their goals. I specialize in effective therapy for individuals who are suffering from depression, anxiety, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, low self-esteem and assertiveness issues as well as survivors of trauma, and domestic violence.

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.

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!

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.

Liberation Institute is a community mental health clinic that offers therapeutic services on a sliding scale. It first opened its doors on October 7, 2008, in San Francisco, then expanded to Portland in June 2020. Between the two locations, Liberation Institute helps 600 individuals, couples, and families a week by a staff of therapists, supervisors, artists, activists, meditation teachers and others who are committed to serving the community together.