About
**My services are only available to clients residing in Oregon at this time**
Maintaining wellness, even in a world of chaos is possible. The foundations of wellness can be found in human connection. Unfortunately, because many individuals have been harmed by this connection, closing oneself off being connected might feel safer.
Attachments to caregivers formed in early life often predict how people will adapt to life later on. However, that is not the end of the story. You can experience restoration in your connection to others by starting with yourself. When you learn to offer yourself acceptance and compassion, you will attract the same in return from others. Sometimes, we need a guide to show us how to do this because acceptance and compassion were not taught to us growing up. A good place is to begin is with being intentional in learning about our experience to impliment positive change. Together, we can introduce you to the best version of yourself because they are already within you. To see if I would be the appropriate guide in this part of your wellness journey, you can learn more here:
https://restorativefamilybalancellc.com/
Trauma and social-justice informed care is my passion when it comes to therapy. I decided to specialize in Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing because it is proven to be more efficient than talk therapy alone in helping people to stay present and enjoy their life, rather than heing held back by the past. They can then be more in control and take their wellness journey to the next level. Exploring one's sense of safety is where it starts. Feeling safe within one's body creates the "blueprint" for gaining insight and changing behavior to get more satisfaction out of life. .
I am trained in other modalities as well, including Experiential Therapy with a somatic (body) focus. I am open to all client populations, including: families, individuals, couples and children.
My practice is primarily ran via Telehealth over a secure, HIPAA compliant video chat platform.
Just as generational trauma affects one’s interaction with the world, generational healing can be the anti-dote. Some family members will not be ready to face their old wounds, but you can start and be the catalyst for change. You inspire me for being intentional about your wellness, and I am excited to learn about you and from you in your wellness journey.
- I have experience working with vulnerable populations at Union Gospel Mission, including those battling addictions, children in broken/blended families, single mothers and other marginalized identities, including people of color.
- I am a National Board Certified Counselor and am a Licesened Professional Counselor Intern with the state of Oregon, R-6485
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Patrick B.
Trisha E.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I offer a free 20 minute consultation to learn more about their wellness journey and if my scope of practice and approach best aligns with their wellness goals. Having your therapist match your "vibe" makes a great impact on your progress in therapy. If my therapy style is not the right fit for you, I can can help you find someone who is. I encourage clients to contact me via text or a phone call at 503-567-6140. They can also book themselves the free 20 minute consultation or future appointments on my website: https://restorativefamilybalancellc.com/
If my services are a good fit for you, and you decide you want to move forward, I'll create your chart in my practice management system and send you the link to log into the client portal to fill out your intake forms (which can be signed electronically, yay!)
*Please note texting is not a secure form of communication. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in text or email.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I hold a Masters of Science in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. I was heavily trained in Human/ Lifespan Development, Family Systems Theory and Mindfulness based theories.
I am a Board Certified National Counselor, which means I have passed the competency exam and fulfilled the requirements recognzied to uphold best practices in counseling.
I am also trained in Eye Movement Desenitization and Reprocessing. I have found this modality to be most efficient in helping people heal. More information can be found here: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
My student internships involved both a private practice, a residential program, and experience in Teletherapy, which is the primarily method I use now for my private practice. I served vulnerable populations, including those with marginalized identities.
While supporting myself through graduate school, I worked somewhat in the medical field and became more familiar with biological impacts on mental health. I see "mental disorders" as trauma responses, rather than soley a 'chemical imbalance' in the brain. There is so much that contributes to our wellness and illness. It can be healing to understand and connect with one's family of origin to see how behavioral patterns, external impacts and genetics contribute to how we interact with the world today.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
My hourly rate is $75 an hour. I have a sliding scale document to that pro-rates this price based on household income. I am not on any insurance panels at this time and payments can be made securely through the client portal. Currently, I am only able to see clients residing in Oregon, as that is where my jurisdiction lies.
How did you get started in this business?
I knew I wanted to eventually have a private practice, but I did not expect it to be this fast. COVID-19 hit in the middle of my internship, so all appointments in the residential facility I worked out of at that time were moved to telephone/ video visits. Because I became comfortable (quickly) with telehealth as a mode of conducting sessions, I decided to go for it after I graduated. I also still volunteer at the residential facility I worked in as a Graduate Counseling Intern to give back through my private practice, as pro-bono hours.
What types of customers have you worked with?
Children (ages 4+)
Teenagers
Single moms/ families
Couples
People seeking recovery from Addiction
Those in Forensic Treatment
BIPOC clients
Other traditionally marginalized identities
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have a client family that is so resilient. Time and time again, they amazed me in the challenges they overcame. One teenager in the family often felt unrecognized in their efforts and as such, withdrew from the family frequently. Recently, after a pause in sessions, the mother of the family sent me pictures of the teenager's graduation, where the whole family came together to support the teenager family member and intentionally recognize their accomplishments. Even though I was not there to witness the event in person, I'm glad I was "included" in celebrating that client's accomplishments. It felt as though the family had enhanced their sense of 'belonging' together.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Evaluate whether the counselor matches your energy/vibe. If you get a sense that they really "get" you, and you are relaxed around them, that is your intuition telling you they are someone safe. It will take time to develop rapport, but being able to expose parts of you that are vulnerable in a safe place is very valuable, even if the exposure is uncomfortable. Growth happens outside of our comfort zones and having your therapist there to guide you with the reassurance of safety can allow the mind and body to full process and heal.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
What training have you completed in the issues I'm presenting to you (i.e., racism/ oppression)?
Can you share how you go about addressing (cultural) biases in our work?
Have you worked with people of my race/gender/ traditionally marginalized identity before, and how do you prepare for that work?
For BIPOC clients:
What are your thoughts on privilege, racism and discrimination, and how do you address those in therapy?
Social Justice is important to me and impacts my life in various ways. Can you share a little about how you typically approach justice and injustices with your clients?
*Questions are used with permission from Dr. Kirkfit (https://www.instagram.com/drkkirkfit/)
See the answers to these questions on my website: https://restorativefamilybalancellc.com/bipocalignment