Relationship Issues Therapists in Portland, OR

People who have experienced Narcissistic Abuse have been exploited, rejected and devalued. Often this begins with family of origin and in adulthood tends to carry over into romantic relationships and friendships. Kids who grow up with Narcissistic Abuse become adults with unresolved identity trauma and confusion. This is often displayed as self-hatred, harm and abandonment. The exploitation from Narcissistic Abuse makes boundary formation impossible for people experiencing this, leading to interpersonal struggles and difficulty forming secure attachments.

*Limited openings on a case-by-case situation.* Support is how we do well. We all need someone in our corner with compassion, solidarity, and hope. I can be that for you and your relationship. I support individuals and couples navigating through life's traumas, transitions, and stress. You may be feeling overwhelmed or stuck, but also motivated to work towards a breakthrough. If you've been carrying tension, grief, conflict, or emotional pain, let's start to work things out. Together we'll look at practical strategies to utilize your strengths, change unhealthy patterns, and grow your resiliency.

Hi! I love working with individuals, families and human beings in all types of relationship structures. Many clients have worked with me on anxiety, healing from trauma, navigating relationships, family conflict, parenting challenges, LGBTQ+ issues, depression and improving their relationships with themselves. My counseling is about supporting you in the way that you need to be supported while empowering you to deeply tune into your authentic self. In my practice, I strive to co-create a compassionate, non-judgmental, open space in which we can collaborate to clarify goals, build healing, strengthen skills and cultivate resilience.

I am a Humanistic, Existential and Systemic Psychotherapist. I respect each person's inner wisdom and believe that each of us naturally tends toward growth and resilience. Past and current relationships, be they family of origin, community, cultural ties, or family of choice, shape who we are, how we grow, and hold both the wound and the salve for our healing. I work with individuals, couples, teens, and families. Much of my work is with people who are in some sort of transition or crossroads in their relationships or personal growth.

It's my privilege to work as a Mental Health Counselor. I offer a safe, non judgmental, place where people can explore their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. I have expertise addressing relationship conflicts, child/parent struggles, separation/divorce, substance abuse, and codependency issues. When we are suffering and in need of counseling we sometimes endure a great deal before we recognize there is a problem that needs to be addressed. If you find yourself struggling in any one of these areas call me to help you find the joy in everyday life.

Are you tired of struggling to thrive in relationships with friends, family, and lovers? Are your emotions running your life? Interacting with others can be overwhelming when you have experienced trauma, grief, depression or anxiety. This can lead to coping through addictions or harmful behaviors. I believe we all have the capacity to change and that focusing on strengths can give clients a new outlook on life. Together, we can practice mindfulness, reflection, and positive coping skills. I collaborate with clients to build positive experiences in a caring therapeutic relationship through talking, playing (children), and art.

I provide therapy for men and women around life transitions, grief, depression, anxiety, marriage and relationship issues, guilt and shame, recovering from physical or sexual abuse, sexuality, identity and self image, spiritual development, spiritual abuse, church and ministry. 35 years of pastoral ministry has given me great exposure to issues across an adult life span including singleness, finding life direction, finding a life partner, empty-nest, mid-life crisis, retirement and finding fulfillment when life and health is diminished by age.

Let’s face it- deciding to seek therapy often feels pretty scary. It takes courage, and sometimes desperation, to walk into this unfamiliar relationship. Navigating life's losses and transitions is one of our most challenging tasks, and sometimes we need help steering the boat. I enjoy working with adults who are ready to explore their inner world of experience and outer world in relationship with others. That might mean help with various life transitions and losses, such as divorce or the death of a loved one. A former nurse, I also work with many health care professionals, and clients who suffer from chronic and acute illness.

Are you out of balance? Not fully present: stuck in the past or dread the future? Do you want to feel comfortable with yourself and live authentically so you enjoy time alone and with others? I can help you move beyond talk therapy and learn to communicate with your timeless, internal wisdom; to integrate your body, heart and soul so you respond rather than react to life situations. Therapies I offer include Somatic Experiencing and EMDR (Eye Movement Densisitization Reprocessing) for trauma healing, depth psychology and dream work to uncover your unconscious strengths to navigate life with purpose and joy.

Are you looking for support? Are you feeling stuck? Reaching out and deciding to seek therapy can be scary. My goal as your therapist is to help you navigate your way through learned negative beliefs about yourself and the world and to begin to build and install healthier ones. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker/Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience working with individuals in the emergency department, ICU, trauma and inpatient settings. My area of focus includes depression, anxiety disorders, relationship/communication issues, grief/loss, mid life/end of life transitions, elder issues, and hospice.

My approach to therapy is relational, collaborative, and in-depth. Together, we will cultivate kindness and curiosity for your experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Self-exploration and honest feedback with an attuned listener can strengthen our capacity to be in fulfilling, authentic relationship with ourself and others. As you are ready, we can explore new narratives & develop practices that alleviate anxiety and depression, creating more space for acceptance, ease and joy.

Note: Currently only accepting clients for relationship or couples therapy. As a queer and trans relationship therapist, I help my clients envision a culture of their relationship that honors their whole selves while building effective communication. This could include learning how to recognize and express needs for connection; navigating conflicts in a compassionate way; exploring boundaries for non-monogamous relationships; or re-establishing trust after conflicts. I specialize in working with people who live outside of the "norm," including queer, kinky and non-monogamous folks, from a non-judgmental and liberatory framework.

I'm so glad you found me! Whether you are struggling with relationship issues or experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms, I am here to help. Many of our human struggles emerge from troubled connections with significant people in our lives or with ourselves. Together, we will explore and change the patterns in your life that are getting in the way of your peace and well-being by cultivating a sense of safety and healthy boundaries.

Therapy can offer hope in the midst of depression, anxiety, trauma, stressful challenges in work, relationships, health, or other arenas of life. It can also help us respond thoughtfully and creatively rather than anxiously or destructively. I am a firm believer in learning to be open towards yourself, your relationships, and life transitions. This is a more powerful motivator than mentally beating yourself up. We'll work together to identify strengths you can use towards making important life changes, and to build coping skills to deal with difficult emotions, trust, relationship issues, and negative thoughts you might have about yourself.

Let me listen to you & help you face problems, fears or pain so they do not continue to block your life. Depressed or anxious? Want deeper communication, intimacy & sexual connection with your spouse/partner? Find freedom to be your authentic self at home and work. LGBTQI affirming. Coping with trauma, grief or addictions? Safely integrate emotions/behaviors so you can meet your needs differently. Loss is pervasive in life. We encounter it thru unmet expectations, discrimination, transitions, illness, dying, death, growth, abuse & more. Find peace amidst life's changes. Discover meaning & joy. Live an AUTHENTIC LIFE!

I love working with individuals who want to learn deeply about themselves and heal their relationships - relationships with others, and with the parts of themselves that exist within. At the core of my work is the belief that the struggles we face hold wisdom about what is needed. When we can acknowledge what we feel with compassion, that wisdom has space to reveal itself and point us toward change. Sometimes this work feels scary. That's okay! In therapy, we can feel fear and still proceed, knowing we have the support we need to help us face and embrace what is discovered, and help us find guidance or insight where we feel stuck.

As a counselor, I'm here to help. I am humbled to be of service helping you grow, heal, and learn from the challenges you face. It is my experience that people often come to counseling, " tangled up " from their own experiences, thoughts and feelings. Just the act of giving that gift of counseling support to yourself, taking time out from your daily life, and creating that space for reflection can bring immediate and lasting relief.

From struggling to THRIVING. Become more fully "yourself." Enjoy relationship satisfaction. Strengthen connection to something bigger that is meaningful. Get relief from depression and anxiety (really!). Improve effectiveness at work. Feel more at home in your body, content. Mindful and present. LAUGH. Choosing a therapist that is both really good AND a great fit is important. There is a difference here you will experience from the get go. The office is in a 1930's Cape Cod style house...inviting & comfortable. With warmth and character. David is unusually relational and "real." Sessions are 60, 75 or 90 minutes rather than 50.

I have over 10 years of experience helping people change. Change can be scary, challenging, exhilarating, and fulfilling. I help facilitate change by developing a close therapeutic relationship with clients and by utilizing evidence based therapies, and my well developed intuition to identify the source of your problem and the best pathway forward. I specialize in treating motivational difficulties, depression, anxiety, and self defeating behaviors. I also help with existential issues, such as finding meaning, discovering passions, and developing and sustaining close relationships.