Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

I have had multiple careers, including classroom teaching, have been in practice 27 years. I work with adults and with couples. I raised two sons who are now middle-aged adults. I relate to college students very well.

In my 30 years of personal and professional development, I have created a unique approach to bring hope and strength, healing and transformation. It is my honor and joy to provide and hold a safe space as we work on healing relationship with self, others and the world. Other key components to healing are acceptance, trust, forgiveness and gratitude. Our time together is precious and I will share with you mindful and heartfelt practices to wholeness, authenticity, and presence.

I believe that every person is created in the image of God, is uniquely designed and can obtain optimum mental health if they are willing to put forth the effort. I utilize many methods of counseling including a client-centered talk therapy approach, family systems theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR. I have been formally trained in S.A.F.E. EMDR through the Personal Transformation Institute and use EMDR to work with clients who have endured past trauma. I have experience working with adolescents and adults with anxiety, OCD, and depression as well as sexual and drug addictions. In addition to emerging adulthood, I also enjoy working with families and couples who want to work on their communication and improve their relationships.

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.

The clients I work best with are often carrying the weight of trauma and are seeking a more connected, empowered way of living. Whether personal, generational, or systemic, many feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt, or disconnection from their bodies and sense of self. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), I offer a holistic approach that gently supports nervous system regulation, emotional healing, and self-awareness. I also draw from mindfulness-based practices and integrate ancestral wisdom and energy work when aligned with the client’s needs. My role is to walk alongside you as you reclaim your voice, your wholeness, and your own inner wisdom.

Welcome. People come to therapy for a range of reasons. For over 13 years I've worked with individuals 18+ years old struggling with mood, self-esteem, anxiety or worry, relationships, identity, loss, trauma, and life transitions. Working in a college counseling center is part of my prior experience. If you are interested in “depth therapy,” or have tried therapy before and the benefits didn’t stick, my approach may appeal to you. My specialty is called psychodynamic psychotherapy. This means you will be invited to begin each session with whatever comes to mind, and together we explore your inner experiences (emotions, sensations, thoughts, beliefs, expectations, dreams) with a focus on seeking to understand you and what’s troubling you. I can help us “read between the lines” for themes or patterns that contribute to feeling stuck, which may have been previously out of awareness, and which can now inform daily life and relieve symptoms. I am also certified to use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique that can help heal trauma symptoms impacting current life. While our work centers on you as an individual, none of us exist outside of the broader socioeconomic and cultural systems we are in. These pressures and influences around us are also real and crucial to recognize. Psychotherapy is an opportunity to deal with issues in a way that is difficult to do alone. I can accompany you with my undivided listening, consistent availability, an appointment day and time safeguarded only for you, and commitment to taking you seriously.

College can feel like a lot — like you’re trying to stay afloat in a fast-moving current. Some days you’re cruising; other days it’s all you can do to keep your head above water. Maybe you’re here because you’re tired of just getting by. Maybe you’re looking for a space to slow down, catch your breath, and figure out what’s next. I believe in meeting people exactly where they are - in the messy, real, complicated parts of being human. My approach is flexible and grounded in empathy, drawing from attachment work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parts work, and EMDR. All aimed at helping you feel more connected to yourself and others.

You don’t have to go through life’s challenges alone. I work with adults facing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma/complex PTSD, life transitions such as being in college, addiction, and chronic pain. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to take the next step toward healing. I take a holistic, person-centered approach to therapy, tailoring treatment to your unique needs. Depending on your goals, we may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic work, Rogerian Therapy, motivational interviewing, or other evidence-based practices. I have a down-to-earth, gentle style and the belief that you are the expert in your own life. I’m here to walk alongside you, offering tools, insight, and encouragement as you move toward growth and relief. I’m passionate about this work because I’ve seen the profound changes that happen when people are given the space and support to heal.

Passionate about your mental and emotional well-being, I'm here to help you thrive. As a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, I offer top-tier mental health care conducting thorough psychiatric evaluations and creating personalized treatment plans. With over a decade of diverse experience in mental health care, my approach respects the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in your mental health. Valuing compassion, respect, and honesty, I strive for solutions that go beyond medication, incorporating supportive therapy as needed. I specialize in medication management for various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder for those aged 18 to 64. Let's embark on this journey towards optimal functioning together.

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.

I founded Keshet Counseling to support individuals who often feel overlooked or misunderstood in traditional therapy spaces. My work is especially meaningful to those navigating the complexities of chronic illness, such as Lyme Disease, Mold Toxicity, MCAS, and other invisible disabilities, as well as those facing antisemitism or discrimination for not aligning with political or institutional expectations. I also work closely with teens and adults dealing with antisemitism, narcissistic abuse, multicultural identity issues, codependency, love addiction, grief, anxiety, relationship issues, and trauma. My approach is rooted in body centered somatic psychology using mindfulness. We’ll explore unconscious beliefs and patterns shaping your experience by noticing whats happening for you in this moment. I hold a humanistic view of healing: I believe you are already whole, worthy, and deeply capable of transformation. My role is to help reconnect you to your own inner knowing, and I view our relationship as a collaborative space where your voice and wisdom lead the way. I don’t believe there’s something wrong with you, rather, what happened to you.

Are you having difficulty processing anxiety? Do you ever feel like stranger in your own body? Perhaps you've tried traditional talk therapy and haven't found the relief that you need. This is the case for many of my clients. Through a trauma neuroscience approach to healing, we will go beyond traditional talk therapy to discover and heal the root sources of your symptoms. You will learn the tools for emotional regulation and resilience, which will help you reclaim control over your mind, body, and emotions once again. I utilize a variety of techniques focusing on mind-body connection including Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, HeartMath, and Breathework to help individuals find relief at neurophysiological level. With expertise in Attachment, I specialize in anxiety, panic, and complex and developmental trauma. If you are feeling trapped by symptoms of trauma or anxiety, you are not alone. If you are someone who has tried traditional talk therapy and it hasn't provided the relief you need, reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about my approach utilizing Evidence Based Practices and Trauma Neurosciences.

Life can be overwhelming and bring challenges that seem bigger than ourselves. This can lead us down rocky terrain. If you find yourself exhausted, unmotivated, anxious, depressed, feeling helpless or hopeless, know that it is okay to seek help. You can change your path. As a therapist it is my goal to meet my clients where they are on their path, to assist them in learning how to access their inner strengths, to practice self-compassion, and learn to overcome harmful narratives developed from past traumas. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them achieve their goals and live a more fulfilled life. Change can be uncomfortable but with a strong therapeutic relationship and support it can feel more manageable, empowering, and exciting. The core of my practice is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, self compassion work, and mindfulness. I am also a registered art therapist allowing for therapeutic exploration through art for clients who are interested.

There are many options within my space: the traditional couch and chair set up, floor seating, and even a community garden that we have the option to be at. There's open areas for therapeutic yoga and movement activities as well, offering all-around options that best fit your needs on any given day.

I work with individuals and relationships from a systemic, decolonial, and anti-oppressive lens. This means that when working with you, I will take into account all the micro and macro systems around you that are affecting you on your day to day, and making you feel like there is something wrong with you. I work with individuals who experience stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma due to problems with their family of origin, major life changes and transitions, relationship issues, work stressors, and the state of the world. I like to pay close attention to how our current social and political climate is also affecting you at a personal level and at a communal level. I do my best work with people who are ready to… - look closely at the stories they've been carrying and gently question which ones no longer serve them, - discover and honor their own needs—not just those of others, - sort through the values they've inherited from family, culture, or society to uncover the ones that truly belong to them, - align values, thoughts, and actions in ways that create deeper integrity and wholeness, and practice setting healthy boundaries and asking for their needs to be met with clarity and self-respect. I may not be the right fit for you if… - you are seeking couples therapy for infidelity or relational violence, - you are unwilling or not yet ready to look at your own patterns or make changes, - you want quick fixes without engaging in the deeper inner work, - or you are looking for therapy that does not center justice, culture, or liberation.

My website is the best way to learn about me and how I work. My website is at www.lisakays.com. You may also complete my inquiry form on my website to learn more about my practice and so that I can determine if my practice is a good fit in terms of your scheduling and treatment needs. If you're not sure, please ask!

I believe that each person is resilient and has the ability to heal, change, and overcome various barriers. My goal in therapy is to offer effective tools to allow healthy coping and emotional growth while increasing self-esteem and independence. I take a holistic approach while also implementing evidence-based somatic tools healing. In treating PTSD, I focus on creating a supportive and empathetic environment where individuals feel safe to explore their experiences. I provide evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, psychoeducation, somatic and nervous system regulation.

At different times in our lives, we may find ourselves challenged or feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, our relationships, our careers, our health, or transitions. It is during these challenges, that a trusting relationship with a counselor can give the dynamic support, to sort through our thinking, feeling, and patterns of behavior. Through this mindful work we may begin to see ourselves and our options in a new way. This offers the opportunity to grow and regain balance in our lives creating new strategies for a balanced life and conscious relationships. My approach is based in Mindfulness techniques, Somatic work, Neurophysiology and Brainspotting work. At times I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapies and DBT theory and technique. As I believe the foundation of all counseling relationships is in unconditional positive regard and respect, my work is lead by my clients.

Are you struggling to heal due to trauma, disabling condition(s), chronic illness, loss of someone close? Or perhaps you are having a hard time adapting to a change in your life or depression or anxiety? Have you tried to solve the problems in your life on your own & realized you need help from someone else? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have made the right choice by being here. I know seeking help can be hard & I am so glad you have taken the courageous first steps. Together we can work to equip you with the necessary tools to help you face & overcome your challenges.

Hello. I have extensive experience working with college students and the challenges they face. I worked in university counseling centers for all my career before going into private practice. My approach is primarily relational, yet integrating practical skills is integral to my philosophy of change. A therapeutic relationship is fundamental to effectively working together in therapy. Relationships with ourselves and others are the foundation of creating security and joy, for taking risks and creating success, and for becoming aligned with a set of values and ethics that bring meaning and purpose to our lives. Challenges are best met when we are in relationship and understand how to be relational across domains. I am grateful for the opportunity to join you in working towards any personal, professional, educational, or spiritual/existential goals.