Therapists for college students near 97201

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who grew up in rural Northern California, where adequate mental health care was not accessible, and differences were not celebrated. I developed a passion for helping others after watching people I cared about struggle without support and going through my own challenges as an adolescent and young adult. After settling in the Portland Metro Area, I have developed a great love of our area's diverse populations and green landscapes, combining all the beauty the Willamette Valley has to offer with the convenience and luxury of inner-city resources and diversity. I have experience working in community mental health, hospice, and counseling with adults and teens ranging from late adolescents to the elderly. I especially enjoy working with those struggling with life transitions, trauma, chronic illnesses, depression, and anxiety. I believe that fostering safety and unconditional positive regard is the backbone of the therapeutic relationship. I use these core Rogerian principles and a strength-based approach along with techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy to aid people in broadening their perspectives, changing behaviors that are not working for them, and developing practical tools they can use in their day-to-day lives. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy and am variably directive in my approach depending on client needs. I am honored by those who share their brightest and darkest times with me. Time and time again, I am amazed by the strength and resilience of those who actively seek change. When I am not with clients, I can be found wrangling my two young children. I am a music, gardening, hiking, equine, and canine enthusiast. I also feel passionately about women supporting women and have enjoyed networking with other women in my local community.

Hello, I imagine you are here because something isn’t quite right in your life, and you are seeking guidance to make positive changes. As you explore what therapy has to offer you, more clarity emerges that you are embarking on a journey into your inner life. Your inner world is comprised of images, fantasies, dreams, sensations, reflections, feelings – the entire content of your imagination. To know yourself, I encourage you to explore your feeling centers – like your heart and the gut. This brings forth the amazing potential of your life gifts and authentic Self into the world.

Everybody deserves a space where they can feel truly seen, heard, and understood without judgment. As a clinical psychologist, I strive to provide therapy that is collaborative, effective, and uniquely tailored to every client. Many clients have described my clinical style as "real and authentic." I enjoy working with clients on a wide variety of issues including, but not limited to: depression, anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, self-esteem, family-of-origin, cultural identity, codependency, stress, etc. My areas of specialization are: Gender Affirming Care for transgender and gender diverse individuals and Substance Use (ie: people concerned about their alcohol and/or drug use.)

I have always had a passion for giving back to my community and supporting the creation of positive change in ways that are meaningful and respectful to the unique beliefs, needs, and cultures of others. As a therapist I strive to fulfill this passion by helping folks feel empowered to heal, grow, and live authentically. My work is grounded in the belief of the inherent strength of each person, and I am dedicated to helping clients build resilience, self-compassion, and agency in their lives. The approach we decide is best for you will be tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're navigating major life transitions, processing trauma, or exploring gender and sexual identity, I am here to provide a safe, empathetic, and judgment-free space—with just a touch of humor. Together, we’ll identify meaningful strategies to help you build the skills and confidence to move forward in ways that align with your values and goals. Originally from the Midwest, I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University (2017) before moving to Portland. In 2022, I completed my Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver, with an emphasis on trauma and social justice, and have since had the privilege of providing therapy at a local community mental health agency, serving a wide range of folks struggling with complex generational trauma, major life transitions, relationship issues, grief, and gender/sexual identity exploration. Through this experience, I had the privilege of further developing skills specific to LGBTQIA+ folks, a group of individuals near to my heart, which has allowed me to more meaningfully connect with, and help, my community. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me running around the city or Forest Park training for the next half-marathon, at the coast or a hiking with my two wiener dogs, and most importantly spending time with my friends and loved ones. How I Can Help If you're looking for LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy in Portland or support for anxiety, trauma, relationships, or life transitions, I’m here to help. My goal is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care that empowers you to create meaningful change. Whether you're seeking CBT for anxiety, trauma therapy, or support navigating gender identity, I offer a collaborative, affirming, and client-centered approach to help you move forward. I offer both in-person and telehealth therapy, making it easier to access care in a way that fits your needs. Education & Licenses MSW, University of Denver (Trauma & Social Justice Focus) Clinical Social Worker, OR License #L30027

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here. I view therapy as a means of achieving personal transformation and a way to navigate the challenges of life. So often, we come to counseling not because we don't know what we "should” or “could" do differently, but because we feel stuck. I am committed to walking alongside you and providing opportunities for you to move through challenges, to heal, and to connect with your inner resilience. My theoretical approach is rooted in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral and somatic focused therapy. I approach my work through a trauma-informed lens, which means that I prioritize a sense of safety and compassion when I work with clients. I have specialized experience and training in perinatal mental health, meaning your mental and emotional well-being during pregnancy, birth and postpartum stages. I am a certified EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapist and have completed training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, both are body-centered ways to process emotions and experiences. I am currently studying interpersonal neurobiology and enjoy deepening my understanding of mental health through neuroscience. I am also a registered yoga instructor and often call on the tools of yoga and mindfulness practices. Depending on your needs, we may use some or all of these strategies to achieve your goals. I come to private practice with a background in primary care medical clinics providing integrated behavioral health counseling, and have worked as a child and family therapist and with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I graduated from Portland State University in 2011 with a Masters in Social Work, during which time I completed internships with a refugee resettlement program and at OHSU’s Center for Women's Health. My work as a therapist is grounded in social justice and I am committed to making my practice welcoming as possible for everybody. I am a queer and trans affirming provider and work from an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens.

Do you ever feel like you’re trying to meet everyone else's expectations while quietly struggling yourself? I work with teens, adults, and couples in unpacking childhood trauma, navigating infidelity, tackling life transitions, and motivation struggles. Whether you’re an overwhelmed overachiever, or feeling stuck in a “failure-to-launch” phase, I help clients gain clarity, strengthen relationships, and move forward with greater confidence. If you're looking for a therapist who will support and challenge you through grace, humor, an honesty, I look forward to working with you! :) My approach is rooted in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with elements of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we’ll explore how past and present relationships shape your patterns, emotions, and sense of self—so you can better understand yourself, reduce shame, build confidence, break unhelpful cycles, and create lasting change. Life is full of taboos. The self-doubts, the drama, the ‘I-probably-shouldn’t-say-this’ thoughts. In my office, nothing is too weird or too heavy, and we’ll sort through it together. My hope is that you leave each session feeling a little more seen, a little less alone, and more connected to the parts of yourself you’ve been carrying quietly for too long.

I am a 2nd gen, female, Korean-American psychologist practicing in Portland, Oregon. Growing up in a bi-cultural family, I understand the challenges of integrating aspects of culture into our identities and relationships. My hope is to build a warm, authentic, and supportive relationship with my clients to facilitate awareness and a strong sense of self. My psychotherapy style is unique to me. It is collaborative, warm, relational, and open. I integrate my specialized training in child and adolescent development, Gestalt Approaches, and EFT. Currently, I am receiving training in AEDP, which is an experiential approach focusing on using the safety and security of the therapeutic relationship to undo aloneness

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Amanda (she/her) I identify as white, cis gendered, middle-class woman. As someone with a great deal of privilege, I believe it is my job to make sure I understand my privilege through active learning, unlearning and holding space for others. I believe that we all have access to an inner knowledge that helps us overcome our challenges. I use several tools to help clients access this knowledge including talk therapy, art therapy, and regulation strategies, mindfulness and meditation practices based off client need and comfort level. My approach is relational, trauma-informed and strength-based. I work with clients where they are at on any given day. From there, we collaborate to build skills and resiliency. I work with teens, adults and families to help find resources within themselves. I work with many clients who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression and or difficulty in transition.

Attending therapy can be expensive and time consuming. As healthcare providers, we want to make sure that we are offering the right treatment for the symptoms and conditions our clients are experiencing. We offer treatments that have been researched and proven to help reduce these unwanted symptoms. We engage all clients in a collaborative assessment to better understand the current treatment needs and will make a treatment plan together that is most likely to be helpful. It is important to us to get to know you as a whole person and to understand your goals for treatment, so that we can best support your healing. We offer services to support healing from trauma and other stressful life events. Our therapists focus on the recovery from traumatic experiences and other stressful life events. We treat PTSD, anxiety disorders, OCD, and adjustment disorders during life stressors and transitions.

Living with a mind that rarely slows down can make even ordinary days feel like a lot. When mental loops and daily frustrations take up so much of your energy, therapy can offer a space where you don't have to carry it all on your own. I specialize in supporting teens and adults with OCD, ADHD, and anxiety disorders in-person in Portland and virtually across Oregon. Together, we'll take time to understand what you're going through with curiosity and compassion. From there, we'll shape therapy around who you are and what you need so daily life can begin to feel more manageable. You're a person first, and therapy should make room for everything that makes you, you! I tailor our work to your needs and draw from evidence-based approaches like ACT, CBT, ERP, and Motivational Interviewing. I'll explain the why behind what we do and share tools openly so you always feel informed and involved as we move through the process together. I strongly believe therapy should be a collaborative process where your perspectives, experiences, and feelings matter at every step along the way. If you'd like to explore working together, I'd be glad to take that first step with you.

I specialize in helping people sleep better. This work goes far beyond general sleep tips or advice you may have heard before. I use a structured, research‑based approach that directly targets the patterns keeping sleep stuck, and is shown to produce real, lasting improvement.

At North Star Therapy Collective our team is committed to our individual growth, learning and self-care. We work to take genuine care of ourselves in deep and meaningful ways so we can show up as the best version of ourselves in our communities, our families, and for YOU - our clients. Each one of us struggles with our own perfectionism. At times, we burn ourselves out, overcommit, or overwork. It's in these moments we turn to self-compassion and to the support of one another so that we can pause, rest, and reset.

Margaret has over 25 years of experience working in various areas of the field of Mental Health. Margaret specializes in trauma, abuse, special needs, loss and grief and life transitions. She has training in Sensory Integration, Neuroeducation, Applied Behavioral Analysis, EMDR, and Life Span Integration. Her background and life experiences led her to a multivariate approach when collaborating with clients and the people who support them. She has been trained in traditional therapies but prefers modalities such as Lifespan Integration, EMDR, and Neuroeducation. She works with the client through a learning process anchored in movement to treat at the root cause while activating, integrating, and building on positive connections within their relationship with self, family and others. Margaret has been with her husband for 33 years. They have two adopted children and a biological son with severe complex neurological conditions resulting in severe behaviors and medical challenges.

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

Using a warm, authentic and curious approach to therapy, Hava’s main goal is to support individuals in their movement toward healthy and sustainable insight and growth. She often uses humor and playfulness to foster this process and considers it an honor to be able to bear witness to someone’s journey. Hava works from a trauma-informed perspective, utilizing psychodynamic approaches that are tailored to each individual’s unique life experience. She often uses components of Narrative Therapy, attached-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Somatic practices, Gestalt and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in her work with peoples. Tenants of Carl Rogers are integral to her therapeutic work; unconditional positive regard and non-judgment for others, which in turn fosters a safe and supportive space for people to authentically express themselves. Hava builds upon what she believes is the innate resilience and strengths within people. Hava specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ population, adults, tweens and teenagers, with anxiety, depression, complex trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and grief and loss. Hava is also trained in the EAGALA model of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Please inquire with her regarding this option for therapy sessions. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is a form of experiential therapy where clients learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. Through observations of the horses and hands-on activities, clients are able to see their life mirrored by the herd. The focus on the horses allows clients to externalize their problems, see them from a different point of view, and process those findings in a safe environment. Hands-on activities help clients find their own solutions and overcome challenges. Progress made in the arena transforms clients’ realities, as they encounter realizations, solutions, and different ways of acting in their relationships. Horses are part of this process for several reasons. Horses are prey animals, so they are acutely aware of the people in their space, and what those people are bringing into the arena. Horses are herd animals, so they are adept at transmitting that information through body language. This provides clients a fascinating mirror into their own lives, making their issues visible and tangible. Once they see this problem/behavior more objectively, they can make a positive change. After the change is made in the arena, it helps them make the change in their lives. EAP helps the client gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.

Hi there, I’m Annie (she/her). I’m grateful you are here. Therapy can be a big step into the unknown but can also be an opportunity for growth and positive change. I believe human beings make meaning through connection and the relationships we hold. I approach therapy with a systemic perspective and carefully consider the many complexities that work together to form our whole selves. Some of these complexities could include cultural, environmental, or societal factors that may be contributing to barriers or overall challenges to daily functioning. I work collaboratively with you in honoring your story and how it informs your life, while also helping to highlight new stories and meaning-making. Therapy can provide a space for you to reflect upon and better understand the many parts of you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

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.