Therapists for college students near Portland State University
I am a licensed psychologist with a private practice, Blume Therapy, LLC, in Portland, Oregon. I have worked at multiple universities and college counseling centers, both as a therapist and as an educator, and I am passionate about working with young adults at this extraordinary time of life. There are many reasons that people seek therapy. No matter the specific reason, you are probably here because you are struggling with something that matters to you a great deal. I have training and experience in treating anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties (family, peer), trauma, grief and loss, academic stress, issues related to identity, chronic illness and chronic pain, and dissatisfaction with one’s life and oneself. In all of the work that I do, I strive to provide culturally-oriented care and am committed to my own professional training and growth in regards to systems of oppression and social justice. My goal is to offer affirming work with individuals of diverse racial, cultural, sexual and gender identities. In therapy, my work is emotion-focused, trauma-informed, strengths-based and attentive to interpersonal processes. My style is compassionate, collaborative, curious and warm. I believe that having a strong connection with your therapist is the foundation of successful work. I also believe that understanding how our past experiences and early relationships impact us in the present is an important part of lasting change. I have a personal interest in mindfulness, and this influences my work. In all of the work that I do, I strive to provide culturally-oriented care, where the many intersections of your identity are at the heart of understanding who you are and the strengths you possess.
Hello, my name is Sarah Nelson (she/her/hers), I come to my work as a therapist holding tight to the knowledge that all people want to live meaningful lives with deep loving connection to others. Perhaps you are feeling a loss of meaning, a loss of connection, or are in the midst of a life transition and that has led you here. Whatever has led you to seek therapy, I am glad you are here and I welcome you as you are, as you were, and as you would like to be. I approach my work with a desire to connect and to understand, to hold hope, and to guide towards insight. As a counseling psychologist I am trained to work with a wide variety of presenting concerns and within many modalities. My approach to therapy is rooted in warmth and connection and you: who you are, where you come from, and what is meaningful to you. Our work together will be deep and relational. Within this person-centered approach I bring attention to early attachment and current relationships through the lens of feminist liberation psychology. This lens means that I see your context on a historical, local, and cultural scale as inextricable from your current mental health. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY: I provide person-centered, holistic, and contextualized individual counseling that is rooted in attachment, connection, liberation and social justice. I am trained to work with a variety of concerns and using a variety of modalities and most often work with: anxiety, depression, identity development and transitions, grief and loss, relationship concerns, sleep concerns, transgender mental health, sexuality, and existential concerns. COUNSELING FOR TRANSITIONS: The transitions into and out of college and into and out of careers and jobs are frequently moments of fear and anxiety. These transitions can also be seasons of growth in self-understanding and moments for powerful shifts in identity. I have specialized training in career and academic counseling as well as business consultation and leadership development. I offer person-centered, compassionate, and contextualized therapy for these seasons of transformation, whether you are: transitioning from college, moving between jobs, reentering the job-market after family leave, longing for a more balanced work and home life, or developing your ability to lead. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: I offer psychosocial affirming evaluations for gender affirming and confirming surgeries and interventions following the WPATH standards of care guidelines. I am able to provide these assessments and letters of support to any resident of Oregon. I am committed to making such assessments accessible. PERINATAL AND PARENTING SUPPORT: The seasons of pregnancy and parenthood are marked by layered, sacred, and complex transitions and changes in identity and relationships. I offer inclusive, holistic, and holding therapy for individuals who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, have experienced pregnancy loss or fertility concerns, abortion, miscarriage, or for those who are transitioning to parenthood or have parenting concerns. I am particularly interested in helping individuals build intentional parenting patterns through better understanding of their own relationships and mental health. I have specialized training in life-span development, particularly in prenatal and postpartum counseling and in parenting.
I believe that darkness is an opportunity to find our own true light. Pain is a guide that leads us to be fully present with our experiences and unearth their true meaning and wisdom. We all have the ability to find and know our truth. We hold our own healing and answers deep within ourselves. My role is to provide a nurturing, respectful environment where I stay connected and present with you in this discovery process. Although this may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, it will lead you to more self-appreciation and self-love in your healing journey. I use an eclectic and integrative approach unique to you which includes Client-Centered, Attachment Theory, Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Hakomi. I do not take this work lightly and am deeply humbled and privileged to walk with you through your individual healing journey. I have a deep appreciation for the human experience and I value diversity. I work with people of all races, spiritual faiths, and LGBTQ community. Together, we will honor all of your experiences and find meaning for your past to propel you into a more compelling future.
Hey! It can be an overwhelming experience to reach out for therapy services and I am happy to answer any questions you may have to ensure I am a good fit for your desired goals. If this is your first time seeking therapy services, welcome! I work with adult individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and general adjustment to life experiences.
I work with folks who identify outside of the box and don't fit into the "norm." My practice specializes in serving the queer community, folks in larger bodies, and those who find themselves to be “other.” I provide neurodiversity-affirming care for individuals who think, feel, and experience the world differently. I specialize in working with autistic and ADHD clients, as well as those who identify as neurodivergent in any way. I strive to bring empathy, compassion, and openness to every session. I value a collaborative approach where clients can guide treatment in the direction that feels most meaningful to them. Everyone’s story is unique, and I am here to honor yours. I believe that we all deserve a safe space to grow, heal, and be truly seen.
Therapy offers the opportunity to make lasting positive changes in life and in relationships. By exploring the role the past has played in current difficulties and dissolving old, destructive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, life can be more balanced and joyful. As a licensed therapist, Christopher offers warmth, compassion, support, and insight to this process, with an approach that is direct, non-judgmental, and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Utilizing cognitive-behavioral, emotionally-focused and schema-based therapeutic strategies, Christopher works primarily with individual adults and couples, specializing in depression, anxiety, communication impasses, life transitions, drug and alcohol, loss, abuse, and trauma. Therapeutic change is facilitated by working towards collaboratively building upon inherent strengths and gaining insight into childhood origins of insecure attachment patterns while recognizing how these habitual patterns might be related to current problems. Utilizing the art of non-judgmental awareness – mindfulness – Christopher explores these themes with his clients, by helping them holistically connect with the memories, emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations fundamentally associated with the destructive, repetitive cycles individuals often struggle with. In this way, individuals are empowered to challenge these negative cycles and inevitably bring a greater sense of control, clarity, and balance back into their lives, while awakening inherent wisdom to more adaptively cope with life’s many challenges. Christopher obtained his Masters's degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacific University and currently works as a mental health therapist in private settings and at the hospital psychiatric ICU. Christopher enjoys working with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and lifestyle orientations.
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My clients are often struggling to find peace in their relationships to food, movement, and themselves. They are often motivated to find healing but unsure of where to start. They may have struggled with an eating disorder or disordered eating, but not always. I believe my clients are already holding the tools they need to work towards a more harmonious life.
I find deep fulfillment in supporting individuals who are motivated to understand themselves more fully, release the weight of their past, & step into their true potential. My passion is working with clients who are ready to heal old wounds, strengthen their sense of self, & create a more meaningful, authentic, and fulfilling life. My experience includes supporting those navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, relationship/communication struggles, & attachment challenges. I also walk alongside those exploring their spirituality or re-examining their religious background—encouraging curiosity, self-discovery, & growth. I hold space for those seeking deep healing, offering personalized counseling that meets you where you are while gently encouraging growth. Using ART (similar to EMDR), DBT, CBT, somatic therapy, and mindfulness, my goal is to help foster resilience, presence, and a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
The world is extra stressful right now and your plate may feel way past full. You know it's time for a change. Together we can work on overcoming stressors, calming anxiety, building self-compassion and breaking free of the cycle of worry.
My approach is warm and collaborative, creating a space where you feel truly seen and supported. I specialize in working with women who are navigating anxiety, relational challenges, and the lasting effects of trauma. Many of my clients struggle with high self-expectations, overthinking, and a constant sense of not doing or being enough. Together, we explore the roots of these patterns and create space for self-trust, balance, and lasting change. Using a combination of EMDR, somatic, and other evidence-based approaches, I tailor each session to your unique needs and goals. This personalized approach allows us to work through your challenges at your own pace. Whether we’re using EMDR or another approach, I stay attuned to what feels most supportive. I trust your innate capacity to heal and see my role as a guide in helping you reconnect with your resilience and sense of self. My goal is lasting, embodied change—so you can feel more grounded, empowered, and at home in your life.
Are you seeking therapy to better understand yourself—how you think, feel, and move through the world? How you relate to the world, and yourself? Are you curious about the deeper, more elusive questions that live beneath the surface? Are you navigating breaking generational cycles, processing sudden life shifts, grief, trauma, anxiety, or depression? I’m here to support you. We are the cartographers of our inner world—and therapy is the mapmaking. My role is to walk beside you in that discovery, offering a collaborative pace where every part of you is welcome. Grounded in evidence-based practices, and guided by warmth, humor, and deep respect, I create a safe, gently challenging environment where real healing and transformation can begin. Since 2022, I’ve supported individuals from all walks of life in Oregon and Washington through telehealth therapy. Therapy offers relief. It lightens the burden of carrying it all alone—and makes space for clarity, possibility, and change.
Trauma lives in the body. Yet, we can live too much in our head, cut off from our heart and body, leaving trauma active in us. Together we can process the trauma at a pace that works for you, reaching a personal balance between the heart, body, and mind. The society we live in doesn't always fit our needs, which is enough to create a great deal of anxiety for anyone. We don't all think the same ways, and we are all learning more and more how diverse our brains and experiences in life can be. For neurodiverse people in particular, living in a society tailored to neurotypical individuals, can be outright traumatizing. I support and encourage neurodiverse communication styles, individual ways of thinking, and all varieties of emotional expression in therapy. Allow me to listen and help as you develop your own understanding in your own words. When you can see the what and why of your patterns, I can help you figure out how to heal. I will follow your lead on what you want out of therapy. Seeing so many struggle to deal with the dehumanization and burdens that systemic problems press on us under colonialism and white supremacy, I was drawn to therapy with a lens for justice and equity. I deeply value the rapport we can build together, and would feel honored and humbled if you share your story with me. I would love to collaborate with you on your healing journey. To make sure I meet your needs, I offer a free 15 minute meet and greet consultations by phone or video call, to see if I am a good fit for you. Please email me to schedule a consultation if you are curious or interested.
I work with people who feel like they don’t belong. Together, we’ll find ways to reconnect you to your inner strengths and capacities, to community and nourishing relationships, and to the world at large. There’s many reasons people might feel like misfits, weirdos, or exiles. Many of us can’t or won’t fit into our socially proscribed boxes. I have particular experience working with queer and non-binary folks, with people on the autism spectrum, with multiracial and/or bicultural folks, with creatives, innovators, and activists working on the edge of social change, and with survivors of trauma. And I’m open to working with anyone who feels drawn to my approach, so feel free to reach out!
Individual telehealth therapy only. Finding the right therapist is a key part in having a positive and effective therapeutic experience. Whether you are beginning your therapeutic journey or continuing on, the growth toward self-discovery and healing is truly a commendable one. I am here to provide guidance toward gaining insight, authenticity to self, confidence, and an opportunity to break patterns. I specialize in: family of origin concerns, creating meaning in difficult hardships, accessing your strengths, rewriting narratives causing distress, and empowering you to be your best self. My approach toward therapy is from a systemic perspective, which seeks to address not only you at an individual level but also through your lived experience within your intersectional identity. In collaboration with you we tailor treatment to meet your specific needs as it relates to talk therapy.
I use experiential, mind-body therapies such as EMDR, IFS, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to assist with a holistic experience to help reduce reactivity rooted in the past and increase people's ability to be choiceful in the current moment.