Therapists for college students near Portland, OR

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or like something just isn’t right inside—even if you can’t explain why? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’m a trauma therapist who understands what it’s like to feel broken, lost, or stuck after going through tough experiences—whether that’s childhood trauma, bullying, abuse, or just the weight of everyday pressure and expectations. I’ve been there myself, and I know healing is absolutely possible. If you’re struggling with anxiety, anger, depression, PTSD, or even feeling disconnected from who you really are, I offer a safe space to unpack what’s going on—and begin to heal. I specialize in helping students like you who are trying to balance life, emotions, school, relationships, and maybe even past pain that hasn’t been fully processed yet. My approach is focused on helping you get results, not just vent. We’ll explore what matters to you—your values, goals, strengths—and figure out how to start building the life you want. I also offer energy healing and spiritual guidance if you’re open to deeper, more holistic support (but only if that resonates with you—this space is always about you, not my agenda). If you’re ready to feel supported, heard, and guided toward real change, I’m here. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take that first step.

You might be feeling stuck: disconnected from yourself, your relationships, or the kind of life you want to be living. Maybe you're navigating stress from high expectations or caregiving roles, or struggling to feel close to others even when you crave connection. You may carry pain from earlier experiences or feel like you've had to hide parts of yourself just to get by. Whatever brings you here, you're considering the brave and vulnerable work of change, and that is huge. I work with people who are ready to feel more grounded, more connected, and more like themselves. I bring a particular focus on working with LGBTQ+ and multiply marginalized clients navigating the emotional toll of invisibility, hypervisibility, or living in systems not built for them, but enjoy working with clients of all identities who may be feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. I am neurodiversity-affirming, use an attachment-based lens, and provide letters for gender-affirming medical services. You don’t have to go through this alone, and you don’t have to explain your existence before we can get to the heart of things. In addition to individual therapy, I offer CNM-inclusive relationship therapy. I use Emotionally Focused Therapy and an attachment-based lens to help partners feel safer, more seen, and more emotionally connected. We focus on shifting out of reactive cycles and into more secure, responsive ways of relating. I bring a warm, relational, trauma-informed approach that honors your wisdom and your goals. Together, we can explore what’s getting in the way, deepen your emotional insight, and create space for more authenticity, clarity, and intimacy in your life. When you feel safe and seen, amazing things can happen.

Wanting to implement change in your life or relationships can feel challenging and overwhelming. Acknowledging that we are in a place where talking to a therapist seems helpful is an act of courage and also provides some relief that we are taking steps to help ourselves with the difficulties that arise in life. I believe we all story our lives against the backdrop of our personal discourse, family discourse, and societal discourse. Some of the stories we identify with have been beneficial yet others have been less helpful or even hinder us to reach the happiness and contentment we seek.

I specialize in supporting college students who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of campus life—from managing academic pressure and navigating new social environments to handling personal transitions and stress. I understand that many students share common experiences such as balancing coursework, part-time work, and relationships, while also grappling with uncertainty about the future. Who I Help My approach works best for students who: Feel anxious about their studies or future career choices. Struggle with balancing social life, academics, and personal well-being. Are navigating significant life transitions (e.g., moving away from home, starting new relationships). Need a supportive, non-judgmental space to talk through their challenges. How I Work I use clear, everyday language to explain ideas and strategies—no confusing jargon here. Whether you're dealing with stress, low self-esteem, or just need someone to listen, my goal is to help you understand your situation better and build practical steps toward a healthier, more balanced life. Why This Might Be Right for You If you’re a student looking for a compassionate professional who understands the unique pressures of campus life, we might be a great fit. I’m here to help you explore your feelings, develop strategies to manage stress, and set you on a path toward personal growth and success.

Hi, I’m Alex Pelaez, an Associate Professional Counselor practicing under the clinical supervision of Hailey Halesworth, LPC, CADC II, and I’m glad you’re here. I work best with students who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves—often while trying to look “fine” on the outside. Therapy takes true courage, and my goal is to create an empowering, compassionate environment where you can safely engage in self-discovery, build resilience, and offer yourself grace as you heal. Grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), we will explore your social and cultural connections to help you understand where disconnections may have caused pain, strengthen your voice, and develop practical coping skills. I also integrate creative and body-centered modalities—including music, artwork, and somatic experiences—to support holistic healing for both mind and body. You don’t need the perfect words to start; we’ll meet exactly where you are and move at a pace that feels safe and doable. If you’re looking for a grounded, supportive space focused on real change, I’d love to connect.

Hi! I fundamentally believe you are whole, unbroken and perfect, and I also imagine you might not believe that about yourself sometimes. I work with students experiencing a wide range of challenges including: depression, anxiety, trauma, insomnia and the struggle to love the body one lives in. I use the tools of yoga, embodiment, mindfulness, meditation, and nervous system support to approach healing and integration. As a mental health therapist, certified yoga therapist and ketamine-assisted therapist I work from trauma-sensitive, consent-based and liberatory approaches, and I am committed to you experiencing agency, empowerment and freedom.

Ben’s professional training is as a Depth Psychotherapist, which means that his approach to helping others through difficult times always takes Soul into consideration when addressing the issues that his clients bring to their sessions. His work with others is also strongly influenced by his 36 years of meditation practice, which has developed into an ability to work with others with depth and wisdom.

Life can be tricky at times...and for those who are also navigating all of life while being a student, it's even trickier. I look forward to working with students who are interesting in learning healthy coping skills to effectively support juggling all life has to offer. I hope we can explore together ways in which to reduce some of your stress and anxiety and/or other issues you might be facing.

Are you looking for support and compassion as you explore and process your experiences and struggles? We all experience times of difficulty and challenge throughout our lives and benefit from the support of therapy. My hope is to create a connected relationship, provide a comfortable and safe space, and to work with you collaboratively to move toward your hopes and goals. Your holistic self (e.g. culture, sexuality, gender, family of origin, etc.) and experiences are very important to understand and honor through our work together. I work with people struggling with trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and relationships. I have extensive experience working with queer (LBGBTQIA+) people, in individual and relational (couples, poly) therapy. I am experienced providing gender affirming support for gender identity, including letters of support for gender affirming medical treatment. A positive and helpful therapy experience is significantly influenced by the relationship we develop. I would be happy to speak with you about your experiences and hopes, my approach to therapy, and the process to expect in therapy in order to help you assess whether I will be a good fit for your needs.

With 27 years of experience in the counseling field, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and move toward meaningful, lasting change. I have worked with diverse populations facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, grief and loss, addiction, relationship challenges, insomnia, and major life transitions. I also have extensive experience supporting individuals living with ADHD, Panic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Many come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to cope, but motivated for change. I help by providing a safe, nonjudgmental space built on trust, empathy, and active listening. Using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Illness Management and Recovery, I tailor treatment to each individual. Reaching out for support can feel difficult, but you don’t have to face things alone. I offer a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can be heard and understood. When you’re ready, I invite you to take that next step toward healing and meaningful change.

Struggling with navigating life, managing in a world that may feel overwhelming, and still managing to get up every day, looking to better yourself and your relationships? You may struggle with anxiety or depression, confusion or stress due to a whole host of reasons. Infidelity, infertility, body image, low self-worth, lack of confidence, existential crises, unhealthy coping mechanisms, narcissistic moms, everyday stressors and life transitions. Anything sound familiar? You may feel isolated and alone. Don’t worry. You’re not! You are unique, but you are not alone. Many many people struggle with these things and come to learn how to live differently.

“It’s always best to believe in one’s self, but a little help from others can be a great blessing!” I view each person as the main character in their book of life. Each book contains stories of joy, sadness, exploration, struggle, and most importantly, HOPE. My goal to assist in exploring these stories, whether you encounter depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, intersectional struggles, or self-esteem issues...I am especially sensitive to those impacted by LGBTQ issues, religious minorities, activists, uniformed public servants, and those experiencing depression. I utilize a multiculturally sensitive approach, borrowing from ACT, DBT, MBCT, mindfulness, narrative, and solution-focused therapies to develop a collaborative and eclectic style to treatment, tailored to your needs. Cultures all over the world have a common truth: life is suffering. Through therapy, I hope to create a safe and empowering environment to help you withstand and overcome that suffering. I welcome you to reach out to start this journey.

The demands of life, as well as ever growing expectations, can cause us to feel disconnected from ourselves, our dreams and the people around us. And as we move through life we can experience challenges that may prompt change, but we may not feel prepared for these challenges. This can cause us to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate our future, but these challenges can also be opportunities for growth that can be discovered with the help of a therapist.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

I get it. You want to be true to yourself, to embrace your passions and be authentically you, but something is always holding you back. Maybe you're afraid that you're not enough if you stop achieving. Maybe you haven't yet found a community that celebrates your uniqueness. Maybe you have good intentions, but can't seem to escape bad habits. Prism Counseling is therapy for the offbeat. It's personable, accepting, and practical. I want to help you learn to work alongside your mind—even on its bad days—and build a custom-tailored life that works for you.

On paper, everything looks good. Underneath though, you're feeling unsettled and struggling. The people I work with typically look like they are doing well in school and in life, but are struggling to manage their feelings and feel settled in their bodies and mind. I help those struggling with anxiety and depression who are not sure why they feel the way they do. I help people find beneficial coping skills instead of relying on possibly harmful ones. Being a student and navigating the landscape, both locally and globally can feel very overwhelming. I help people break things down into manageable pieces in order to restore a sense of agency and confidence. If you have any questions or need some support, feel free to message me. I return inquiries within 24 hours during the week and on Monday if sent over the weekend.

Are you dealing with an issue related to sex, sexuality, or relationships and in need of a knowledgeable, non-judgemental space to sort through it all? Are struggles with body image, self-esteem, or life transitions making you (or a teen in your life) want to tear your hair or hide under a rock? Are you dealing with grief over losing a person, pet, or role that was dear to you? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, we're a good fit for each other! My approach is compassionate and realistic. I want you to be heard and have the space to process your feelings and experiences while also working toward some form of resolution. If you're seeking support on something related to sex or death, I'm your girl. I have over a decade of experience supporting people on issues of sex, sexuality, and relationships. On the grief end of things, I'm a death doula and certified grief counselor. This all adds up to a comfort topics that it can feel extra-difficult or taboo to seek support for.

Do you find yourself in a constant state of worry? Concerned about work, school, financial security, future plans? Therapy can help you take control of your mental health, learn new ways to manage stress, improve interpersonal relationships and gain self-confidence. Seeking support and asking for help is the first, and often the most difficult, step in the healing journey. I celebrate this step with you, and I am honored you are here. In my work with clients I strive to create a warm and genuine connection that provides a sense of partnership. Together we will highlight the strengths, identify the challenges and navigate the waves of change, helping you reach the sense of well-being you are desiring. I provide a safe and accepting space to explore, grow and heal. My work with clients is collaboratively built with individual goals in mind and modalities that fit best. My practice is welcoming and inclusive to all. I look forward to connecting with you!

We are mental health counselors eager to join you in your unique journey towards growth and healing. We believe that transformation occurs in relationship and therefore put our connection above anything else. We bring our humanness to our work and couple that with years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. We utilize a trauma-informed approach to healing including Brainspotting and EMDR. We blend a compassionate and client-centered approach with a willingness to offer you opportunities to expand and tap into previously unknown possibilities.