Therapy. Psychodynamic. Relational. Embodied.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, we focus not on your symptoms or diagnosis, but instead on what it’s like to be you. We will think together about:

  • Your thought process and way of thinking

  • Your inner world— what it feels like inside

  • Your fantasies, dreams, wishes, hopes, and fears

  • Your motivations

  • Your childhood experiences and what shaped you

  • Your physical sensations

  • Your culture— familial, spiritual, ethnic, racial, and all your identities

  • How you move through the world

  • How you relate with others

Psychodynamic psychotherapy provides a space for you to consider yourself and a space to be witnessed in the process. This is a very specific relationship, one in which your wellbeing and life are the total focus of our time. I will emphasize the importance of our relationship, and uses what we learn to help us understand more about you.

Through psychodynamic psychotherapy, we will be looking for, and finding, the wholeness of who you are.

How It Works

The process of choosing a therapist can feel daunting. Research tells us that the best way for a person to feel better is to work with someone they feel connected to. We are building a very real relationship! While you are the focus, we are in it together.

How We Begin

If you’re interested in seeing if we’re a good fit, first send me an email. Let me know that you’re interested in setting up an initial consultation. Once I get this email, I’ll respond and schedule a time to speak on the phone and discuss your needs.

If, after speaking, you feel as though you’d like to being working together, we’ll schedule. It will take us approximately four sessions to get to know something about each other, and for you to share about what is bringing you into this process. During that time, you’ll share with me some information about your history, your current life experience, and what is bringing you into treatment.

It’s Been Four Sessions. Do We Continue?

If we both agree our work together is a good fit, we’ll continue, and we’ll build a plan together about what we want to work on, about our mutual goals and ambitions, and about what we imagine success might look like. (This is called creating a treatment plan.)

If we aren’t the right match for each other (and we both get a say in that), I will be happy to offer you referrals to other providers who might be better suited to meet your needs.

So What Now?

If you’re interested in working with me, reach out!

My Approach

I focus all of my energy and attention on what makes you the being that you are.
Sometimes we may add somatic elements. Other times, we may add more playful forms of thinking and dreaming, like drama therapy. We might find ourselves talking, writing, drawing, or moving, but no matter how we're doing it, what we’re looking for is you.

I provide culturally aware services and seek to center the margins.

I believe that everything means something— there’s always more to know.

Treatment with me feels relational, playful, curious, embodied, identity-inclusive, and mutual. We’re in this together, and we’re being curious with our whole selves.

I don’t tell you what to do, instruct, or offer advice. My primary tool is listening for everything said and unsaid. My job is to wonder about you.

The Nuts and Bolts

  • I meet with clients up to 3x a week, depending on the need

  • I use psychodynamic psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing TM, Trauma Centered Psychotherapy (TCP), and Developmental Transformations (DvT- a form of drama therapy)

  • I work with people of all ages,

  • I meet in person and virtually

  • My office is in downtown Portland, on the west side

  • I charge $200 per session, which is commensurate with other psychotherapy providers in the Greater Portland Metro

  • I can provide a super bill for reimbursement to your insurance company

  • I require payment at the time of services— unless a prior arrangement has been made, I accept credit cards or checks.

  • I do not see current Portland State University students, in any program or degree process.

  • I require a full 48 hours notice of a session cancellation, and I charge the full session fee for late cancellations.

Who is a good match?

I am interested in working with lots of folx, however I have significant experience working with…

  • early childhood trauma

  • relational wounds

  • dissociative disorders

  • personality disorders

  • anxiety/worries

  • LGBTQ+ identified individuals

  • BIPOC identified individuals

  • Cis, NB, trans identified individuals

  • relationship anarchy and “less traditional” couple dynamics

  • interracial relationships

  • children, youth, and families

Overall, I want to work with people who are interested in learning about themselves, and a process of self-discovery. If you want to know more about who you are, why you are, and who you are becoming, I may be the right fit for you!