Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

My goal will ultimately be to help you change your patterns, address relationship issues and/or anxieties, and find your inner wisdom. Through a combination of traditional talk therapy and ancient healing practices, we will journey towards a deeper understanding of yourself and your inner world. I utilize a holistic framework with clients; incorporating the unique experiences of mind, body and spirit. Diversity and authenticity are essential to becoming who we truly are, thus I aim to hold safe and inclusive spaces during our journey together. I welcome you here with an open mind & heart.

With over 14 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, Marilyn is a thoughtful listener who uses a trauma-focused, collaborative approach. She works to foster a resilient therapeutic relationship and empower her clients to take an active role in treatment. Marilyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Pacific University in Hillsboro, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State University. She incorporates a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy and Schema Therapy. Marilyn works with clients from age 18 to 80, across a broad range of adult needs and life circumstances. She works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, problems with self-esteem, attachment problems, discrimination, domestic violence, relationship problems, oppression, childhood abuse and mood disorders. Marilyn grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has a passion for experiencing life in different countries. She is a US Army veteran, and enjoys listening to jazz music.

I specialize in effective therapy for adults who are suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and assertiveness issues. I enjoy working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and other minority populations. I have seven years of experience in working with college and university students. This has sparked my interest in working on topics such as life transition, career exploration, and examinations of one's identities. Many clients have expressed appreciation for my authenticity, warmth, and caring nature.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Thanks for taking a moment to learn a bit more about me. If you're seeking therapy, I applaud you! Seeking support to navigate chaotic moments in life is not often easy and is also a wonderful gift to give your self. As a therapist, I use a dynamic blend of modalities to support you in a “body first” approach to healing. My style is collaborative and validating. We may integrate art, movement, play therapy, and expressive sand tray work into sessions depending on your comfort. Building our relationship on a basis of shared respect is a huge part of my practice. If you think we’d be a good fit, let's connect!

I work with people who are seeking to decrease suffering, increase authenticity, build community, and pursue a life that aligns with their values. I also have a special interest in working with artists and creative types whose mental health is interfering with their full expression. I strive to be anti-oppressive in my practice by supporting individuals creating social change in their communities.

Chances are, other people in your life have already given you a lot of advice. "Do this, stop doing that." It's not always that simple. As humans, we all struggle sometimes. As a licensed clinical social worker, I love helping people develop a deeper sense of confidence in who they are as they recognize how to handle what's holding them back. When we meet, we will focus on your desires, worries, hopes, and fears. I will offer guidance, patience, and compassion as we focus on what makes sense for you. I am experienced in working with people going through grief and loss, relationship struggles, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance misuse. With every realization you have, every step of progress you make, you get stronger.

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.

My practice is guided by the belief that every person strives to do the best they can. The individual or family system may need assistance in developing necessary skills and guidance in solving problems. Working collaboratively with clients I help them to narrate new ways of interacting with their environment. I work with several young adults / young professionals as they navigate major life transitions (college, grad school, careers, families and parenting) and the accompanying challenges (ie: depression, anxiety, ADHD, isolation, imposter syndrome, challenging relationships, perfectionism). A major part of my practice is helping clients with trauma - esp developmental trauma.

You might be here because something inside you feels tangled, uncertain, or out of reach. Maybe you’re trying to navigate the weight of anxiety, low motivation, or a mood that shifts in ways you can’t always predict. Maybe you’re carrying grief, confusion around identity, or a deep sense that parts of your story haven’t been fully understood. Whatever led you here, there’s space for it and support as you navigate what comes next. I specialize in working with adults across Oregon who are navigating: - Anxiety, overthinking, or a persistent sense of unease - Depression or feelings of disconnection and emptiness - Bipolar disorder and emotional shifts that feel hard to manage - PTSD and the lingering impact of past trauma - Identity exploration, especially for queer and trans individuals - Grief, loss, and major life transitions - Relationship challenges and self-esteem concerns My approach is affirming, trauma-informed, and centered on helping you build insight and compassion for yourself and the systems that have shaped your experience.

During a therapy session, I am an active participant in the process, bringing genuine presence, empathy, and validation. As my client, I view you as the expert of your own experience. My role is collaborator in the therapy process, listening for themes and patterns, asking questions to encourage self-exploration, and (with curiosity, respect, and perhaps some humor) challenging unhelpful or "stuck" patterns. Trauma, loss, life transitions, dysfunctional relationships, and other stressors can cause emotional pain that is hard to manage alone and can block self-understanding. Developing compassion and insight about yourself and your experiences is the first step in: (1) accepting yourself as you are now, and (2) trying new ways of being. My goal for our work together is to progress towards respect and acceptance of the experiences you have had and the person you are now, while also enhancing self-awareness and coping styles in a way that empowers you to find ever more ease and satisfaction in your life.

My work is guided by the belief that mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and personalized. With a background in community mental health and primary care behavioral health, I offer an integrative, culturally responsive, and values-based approach to therapy. I believe therapy is most effective when it goes beyond symptoms—when we explore your values, goals, and passions together. Through this lens, we co-create a foundation rooted in curiosity, connection, and emotional safety, opening space for healing and growth. I’ve had the privilege of expanding gender-affirming care at a community health system in Seattle and helped develop a behavioral health department embedded within a community center—where I facilitated programming focused on emotional wellness and connection. These experiences have shaped my commitment to making therapy accessible, affirming, and grounded in real-world community values. My value of community and connection continues to be nourished at Aspire Psychology.

At LiveWell, we give personalized psychiatric and wellness support to adolescents and young adults with a variety of needs and backgrounds. If you're between 15 and 55, feeling weighed down by ADHD, anxiety, depression, or major life changes, we're here for you. Whether you're juggling school, work, or relationships and it all feels like too much, we get it. Out goal is to offer practical tips, help ease your symptoms, and empower you to own your days. We cater to young adults and middle-agers aiming to find that sweet spot in life's chaos. Our style is straightforward and honest. We believe in meeting you where you are and tackling what matters most to you. We're big on telehealth for flexibility, dealing with major topics like mood, focus, physical wellness, sexual health, and addiction... without any medical jargon.

I have experience working with young adults for the past 12 years in both education and therapy settings. I provide mental health and substance use counseling with the goal of helping you better understand yourself, what you need, and how to make that possible.

Do you struggle with stress that affects your day-to-day life, relationships, or school? Do you feel exhausted by the pressure to do more with less? Do you wish that you could experience more balance in your life? Now more than ever, people are feeling overwhelmed and stuck, struggling to craft a more peaceful, positive lifestyle. I believe finding balance between all of life’s demands shouldn’t be just a “maybe one day” dream. I offer individual counseling for adults ready to commit to building their best lives. We’ll start by exploring your current challenges and past experiences to help inform the best approach. We’ll co-create a treatment plan designed to help you build the skills you’ll need on your journey, and I’ll help you navigate the pathway toward your ideal life. I offer a supportive, safe space and virtual appointments to flexibly meet your scheduling needs. As an experienced psychologist who has helped many individuals establish better boundaries and experience more joy in their daily lives, I am passionate about helping others achieve a greater balance between work and play and adapt to shifting environments. Ready to take the first step toward living your best life? Schedule your free consultation today!

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.

In-person and video sessions. College life can be difficult at times, even more so lately. You have what it takes to get through it and I am here to help you recognize and develop your strength and capability. You may feel lost, alone, confused, conflicted, indecisive, anxious and that's an okay place to start. I have experience working at colleges and universities both in Portland and New York City. My hourly rates are lower than many since I am not accepting insurance but I can give you a receipt and/or statement that you might use for some reimbursement.

I am a registered LPC and Clinical Art Therapist. I use art and talk therapy to support healing and positive change. I love working with individuals who are processing life challenges that are impacting their quality of existence, whether they are internal feeling or body states and/or external experiences impacting growth and functioning. I provide support so that they can move through and begin to heal; or increase their own skills while moving towards living their best life. I support individuals to see themselves through the light of their strengths and how they can take those strengths out into the world. I use neuroscientific brain science techniques mixed with art to manage/decrease anxiety and depression and symbolic narrative techniques with art to process trauma and other impactful/stressful life experiences to support integration of self, nervous system regulation and increase positive mood.

Do you often feel misunderstood and hurt? Do you feel as though your emotions are controlling you and you don’t know what to do to change that? Does it leave you feeling anxious and depressed? I know what that feels like and I can help with that. My Approach to Helping I believe that people are doing the best they can with the information and skills they currently have. I also believe that they can grow and create better lives for themselves with the appropriate support. My approach to helping clients develop the skills to effectively identify, regulate and communicate their emotions, needs and boundaries to others is validating and skills-based. Therapy with me is relational, non-judgmental, body positive, sex positive and LGBTQ+ and poly competent. My Personal Beliefs and Interests I'm a psychologist and certified alcohol and drug counselor. I have a background in research (on behavior change) and loved working in academia for a long time, before transitioning to working in community mental health for a few years. I love being a therapist. I am also a mother and an immigrant with strong progressive values and I bring that to the table as well. I believe that Black Lives Matter and that community action is more powerful than waiting for government to act in our best interest. I bring this perspective to my work.

I specializing in working with young adults using a relational, collaborative approach. I am queer/gender- and neurodiversity-affirming.