Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

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.

At Assert Your Boundaries Counseling, we provide trauma-informed therapy for adults, couples, and professionals across Oregon and Washington. We specialize in EMDR therapy, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, burnout, life transitions, and culturally responsive mental health care. Led by Dr. Pauline Botchway, our practice offers compassionate, evidence-based support for individuals seeking healing, growth, and healthier boundaries. We work with clients navigating trauma, stress, identity concerns, workplace challenges, and emotional overwhelm. Our practice also provides clinical supervision for LPC associates and supports clients seeking accessible, inclusive care in a welcoming environment. We offer both in-person and telehealth therapy sessions.

I have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students, having worked in college counseling centers since 2009 and I enjoy supporting clients through personal identity exploration, role changes, and life transitions including sexuality and gender exploration, parenthood, and loss. Additionally, I am a supportive presence for those recovering from experiences of interpersonal violence and oppressive experiences.

We here at Brave Acorn help people in the greater Portland area align body, mind, and emotions in their daily lives. We are trauma-trained, take a Health at Every Size approach to food and weight issues, and encourage people to work with their body and emotions as allies (rather than enemies) on their journey towards growth and healing.

Real life is complicated and often times, it hurts. The struggles that we experience can take on a variety of forms, ranging from depression and anxiety, to trauma. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am dedicated to supporting my clients on their journey towards healing, empowerment and hope. I strive to offer a personalized and collaborative approach in therapy that focuses on developing strong, trusting relationships with my clients. I utilize a trauma-informed, humanistic, strength-based, non-judgmental style to provide a safe space for my clients to explore, heal and grow. I work with a wide variety of clients and work in depth with trauma/abuse, women’s issues, anxiety, depression, young adult/phase-of-life challenges, and childhood & relationship issues. I aspire to help my clients improve their coping skills, enhance relationships, increase self-esteem and build positive communication skills. I encourage potential clients to reach out to me in order to see how the two of us connect. I truly look forward to meeting you, and hope we can work together to find the growth and change that you are looking for.

With 26 years of experience, I’ve learned there are many ways to help clients. I welcome clients of all sorts, at any stage of therapy. I use an integrated approach and pull from numerous evidenced based therapeutic practices, based on your individual needs and goals. I can help you work through challenges related to difficult feelings, stress, depression, anxiety, challenging relationships and navigating important life transitions. I also specialize in helping those who have ADHD. The ADHD brain works overtime and can leave one feeling chronically exhausted, overwhelmed, scattered or misunderstood. While working together, we'll develop tools and strategies to better manage the challenges that ADHD can present, so that you can feel more confident and reach your full potential... in your relationships, your work and within yourself.

Do you often feel misunderstood and hurt? Do you feel as though your emotions are controlling you and you don’t know what to do to change that? Does it leave you feeling anxious and depressed? I know what that feels like and I can help with that. My Approach to Helping I believe that people are doing the best they can with the information and skills they currently have. I also believe that they can grow and create better lives for themselves with the appropriate support. My approach to helping clients develop the skills to effectively identify, regulate and communicate their emotions, needs and boundaries to others is validating and skills-based. Therapy with me is relational, non-judgmental, body positive, sex positive and LGBTQ+ and poly competent. My Personal Beliefs and Interests I'm a psychologist and certified alcohol and drug counselor. I have a background in research (on behavior change) and loved working in academia for a long time, before transitioning to working in community mental health for a few years. I love being a therapist. I am also a mother and an immigrant with strong progressive values and I bring that to the table as well. I believe that Black Lives Matter and that community action is more powerful than waiting for government to act in our best interest. I bring this perspective to my work.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you experiencing a relational separation or burdened with grief, loss, or trauma? Are you having difficulty with ADHD, depression, or anxiety? You don’t need to suffer in silence or alone. We specialize in individual, couples, and family counseling, and we are ready and available to support you in the healing process.

Among all the uncertainties of life, making the choice to start therapy is yet another risky plunge into the unknown. Before you decide to give me a call I’d like to try and give you a sense of who I am and what it might be like for us to sit together. Although my title is doctor, my clients call me Sarah. I think of my role as one of accompaniment, you’re the lead and it’s my job to follow your pace, your volume, your moments of free expression. Together we get curious in a way that is, open, receptive, and non-judgmental. Sometimes this process is playful, and sometimes I encourage us to look deeper at the hard things. I am always holding your experience with profound respect and the certainty that you have been doing your best to survive in a world that challenges your flexibility. Whether you’re somewhere along the path of higher education or starting off your career, the challenges of young adult life are uniquely complex and ripe for psychological distress. At this stage in life, you may find yourself with more questions than answers and more pressures than solutions. Stressors and concerns may run the gamut from challenges in relationships, family conflict, financial/housing/food insecurity, or answering questions like, “Who am I” and “What do I want in life?” I can appreciate the need for a space to unpack it all, take a step back, and find more clarity.

I believe in the unique resilience of each individual and tailor my treatment through a collaborative process with each person I work with. I offer a warm, non-judgmental and supportive space where we can develop a trusting relationship to allow you to explore yourself in the context of your world. Drawing from numerous treatment modalities and utilizing a trauma-informed lens, we can work together to help you meet your therapy goals. My favorite patient group is college students. I have worked in college mental health at Reed College for over 5 years and have developed expertise in working with people during this transitional age of their life. I have additional experience as a medical social worker at OHSU hospital. In my private practice, I see patients for individual therapy, and I also offer psychological evaluation for aid in immigration court cases.

My work is guided by the belief that mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and personalized. With a background in community mental health and primary care behavioral health, I offer an integrative, culturally responsive, and values-based approach to therapy. I believe therapy is most effective when it goes beyond symptoms—when we explore your values, goals, and passions together. Through this lens, we co-create a foundation rooted in curiosity, connection, and emotional safety, opening space for healing and growth. I’ve had the privilege of expanding gender-affirming care at a community health system in Seattle and helped develop a behavioral health department embedded within a community center—where I facilitated programming focused on emotional wellness and connection. These experiences have shaped my commitment to making therapy accessible, affirming, and grounded in real-world community values. My value of community and connection continues to be nourished at Aspire Psychology.

Hi there! I love working with college students on anxiety, stress management, relationship issues, and figuring out adulting. Trauma therapy is a specialty of mine- I'm trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (also known as parts work). As your therapist, my main goal is to be present with you and teach you how to be present with yourself. I currently have openings Tues, Wed, and Thurs mornings with Aetna and PacificSource insurances. Reach out to me via email if it sounds like a good fit!

Therapy is completely different for each individual because everyone is going through different issues and have personalized goals. From a strengths-based perspective, I work to empower clients to gain the skills necessary to address and resolve problems, change behaviors, improve relationships and navigate and cope with stressors. During your session, we will explore your thoughts, feelings, habits, and experiences to gain a better understanding of yourself and to develop coping skills to achieve goals and improve your well-being. I place a strong emphasis on developing insight and empathy within a non-judgmental and compassionate environment. I have over 14 years of experience practicing as a nurse and working within social services providing counseling and care coordination to adolescents, adults, and families. My therapeutic background is rooted in medical and health psychology, assisting individuals and families coping with normal or unwanted transitions, chronic illness, end of life issues, and those experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. ​ I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers and I am an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

I consider it a privilege to sit with individuals who feel driven to take on the challenge of personal growth. It’s hard to face the messiest parts of ourselves. We tend to avoid this at every cost, often with behaviors and habits that keep us distracted and numb. But therapy is about waking up. It’s about committing to the work of undoing old patterns that no longer serve us so we can show up more fully in our lives. I specialize in working with adults and teens (16+) who struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and/or body image concerns. There isn’t one approach that works for everyone. I enjoy getting creative and finding a framework that best serves each client.

ADHD. Depression. Anxiety. Social Anxiety. We love helping students thrive. This is what we do best! We are a warm, safe, welcoming small group on a mission to help you discover your ideal health. We offer primarily medication management and evaluation. We offer convenient scheduling (in-person and tele-health), direct communication with providers and sufficient time to discuss your needs. We consider the whole person when considering your care needs. We know that college brings all kinds of unique challenges-balancing family, school, friends, work and fun can create all kinds of chaos. We will work to help you figure out the balance. Fill out an intro form as the first step before a quick intro call.

I aim to create an environment that is respectful, supportive, and collaborative. My approach to therapy is primarily based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A core idea in ACT is that trying too hard to get rid of or control our emotions tends to backfire. Thus, instead of trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts, feelings, or emotions, I will help you learn to react differently to them so that you can keep your focus on living a meaningful and fulfilling life based on what’s important to you. This type of approach places your values at the center of therapy. Using your values and existing strengths as a foundation, we will work together to set meaningful goals to address your concerns –whether they relate to life transitions, depression, anxiety, body image, grief/loss, job or academic stress, or gender and sexuality. I have extensive training in working with transgender and gender diverse adults, youth, and families. Transgender clients seeking assessment or counseling services can expect a safe space, and respectful, non-pathologizing, collaborative care. If you are looking for someone to work with regarding gender identity and exploration, I can provide education, support, preparation, and, if indicated, reports/letters for surgery.

My passion lies in supporting people who may feel stuck, stagnant, or caught in repeating patterns, and who are ready to try something different. The journey forward isn’t always easy, but the support of a compassionate therapist can help you find your way. I strive to create a nurturing space where you can unpack your experiences, reflect deeply, and begin to explore, challenge, and redefine how you show up for yourself and in your life. I warmly welcome individuals of all identities, backgrounds, and orientations. My areas of expertise includes racial and cultural identity, intergenerational trauma, and the challenges of navigating multicultural or bicultural worlds, or those living at the intersections of multiple identities. I practice from a social justice, multicultural, trauma informed, and anti-oppressive framework, ensuring that our work together is inclusive, affirming, and compassionate. I strive to create a space where all parts of you are seen, heard, and valued. A space that honors the depth, complexity, and richness of your lived experience. Please visit my website to learn more about me and to schedule a free consultation at www.growingwithinpnw.com.

We all come into therapy for different reasons. Some people may have specific challenges they are looking to overcome, while others may just need to explore why they feel the way they do. Both in relationships and as individuals, often we first feel the barriers in front of us before we really understand where they are coming from. Challenges in my own life and the very complexities of identity itself have profoundly shaped my empathetic approach to life. I see therapy as a conversation, and I am deeply committed to maintaining an open dialogue with you. I also recognize that you are the expert on your own lived experiences. I am here to support you in your journey of resilience, empowerment, and self-discovery. I provide a space where you can feel safe exploring gender and sexual identities, overcoming the stigma of addiction, understanding the impact of discrimination, overcoming depression, anxiety, trauma and other intersecting issues. My approach to counseling is based on a holistic person-centered philosophy that emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. As a therapist, my primary goal is to empower you to take control of your journey toward change, providing a safe and collaborative space where we can work together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.