…because we could all use a space
to connect and improve our mental health
The past few years have been challenging and it’s no surprise that people are having a hard time. About 1 in 5 people in this country have been recently diagnosed with things like depression, anxiety and PTSD (just to name a few!) and Portland is no different. You are not alone and I respect your decision to reach out for a therapist. I’m optimistic that you are in the right place.
A Therapist with a Straightforward Approach in the Portland area
Do you worry constantly, have a persistent fear of failure or judgment and feel on edge with just about anything? Feeling like you’re not good enough, not living the life you want to live, or that you’ve lost touch with the things that bring you happiness with little hope that you can live life in a fulfilling way? Have you had a traumatic experience that left you feeling disconnected and having a hard time trusting people, with the need to protect and numb yourself? These things can impact our physical and mental wellbeing, keep us up at night, make us feel disconnected from the people closest to us and reduce our ability to achieve what we want in life.
I may be able to help. I have experience guiding people with these concerns to make meaningful changes to increase their satisfaction with life. People I work with often report increased ability to recognize and respond more skillfully to life’s stresses. A sense of confidence, contentment, hope, fulfillment, safety and stronger connections with your important people is what I work to achieve with you.
One of the most important predictors of positive outcomes in therapy is the therapeutic alliance, or the partnership between therapist and client. Therapeutic alliance means shared decision-making, mutual respect, non-judgement, empathy and understanding in the therapy room. I focus heavily on these elements so we can work smarter and not harder and to create an alliance that produces the results you want in therapy.
Some of my Specialties
Anxiety, fears, phobias, and panic attacks
Depression, unhappiness and feeling stuck in life
Emotional awareness and expressive communication to improve quality of relationships
Various trauma including physical, sexual, emotional, relational and family of origin abuse
Young adults or teens looking to build independence and confidence in self-identity
Psychedelic integration or processing of recent profound psychedelic experiences
ADHD or challenges with feeling as productive and focused as you’d like to be
I am an LGBT+ ally and advocate for the marginalized
Helping manage and reduce anger and frustration
Men wanting to improve their relationships
Navigating Life transitions
Grief, loss and mourning
Parenting
“Scott is professional, down to earth and has an incredible gift of communicating to the specific individual concerns of each family member. We have an amazing son that was often uninterested in opening up to anyone, especially in a therapeutic setting, and Scott gently and compassionately broke down his walls and reached him at a level no one else had been able to in four previous years of Therapy. Scott's educational background, experience and most importantly, compassionate approach to your families needs is something that will benefit each person for years to come.”
— Michelle (former client)