Therapy Blog

On Choosing a Therapist pt. 2

By Sharad Yadav | April 6, 2023

Here’s a helpful glossary of acronyms and abbreviations you might find on your therapist’s bio. With that, it may also be helpful to highlight a brief definition of theoretical approaches. Though many counselors operate from a single theory, most are able … Read more

On Choosing a Therapist

By Sharad Yadav | April 3, 2023

Some of the most confusing parts of choosing a therapist is decoding the jumble of letters after their name and assessing the significance of their chosen approaches. How do you know if you need an LMHC, Psy D, LCSW or … Read more

Anxiety as a somatic experience

By Aaron Kelsay | April 2, 2023

I grew up with a lot (!!!) of anxiety. Little bursts of anxiety on the bus on the way to school. Shut down reactions in seemingly mundane social interactions. I am aware of some of the reasons — my very … Read more

How Does Therapy Work? Pt. 2

By Sharad Yadav | March 29, 2023

Aaron has already provided an excellent summary of why therapy works, but it’s interesting to ponder exactly what makes the clinical setting of a trained therapist and an anonymous client so special. Don’t empathetic friends, wise parents or experienced clergy … Read more

Therapy, challenges to therapy, human connection and vulnerability.

By Aaron Kelsay | March 28, 2023

There are a few pieces of therapy that are inescapable — very very few people will go to therapy when things are going well, when they are high functioning and overall enjoying life (like “maintenance,” or “a check up” type … Read more

Spiritual Abuse

By Sharad Yadav | March 26, 2023

Portland is considered one of the most post-Christian cities in the United States, which is one of the reasons it has been such a draw for younger people seeking to escape religious environments they’ve perceived as oppressive and toxic. But … Read more

Why don’t men go to therapy?

By Aaron Kelsay | March 24, 2023

Counseling is an excellent tool for mental and emotional support for anyone experiencing difficulties in their lives. However, there is a noticeable gap between the number of women who attend counseling and the number of men who attend. According to … Read more

Is social media bad for kids?

By Aaron Kelsay | March 20, 2023

Social media can have both positive and negative effects on kids, depending on how they use it and how much time they spend on it. Many young people will say, in their own words, they know it is bad for … Read more

Book / video recommendations for the moment

By Aaron Kelsay | March 18, 2023

There are many excellent books on mental health that can help you gain a better understanding of mental health, treatment options, and strategies for managing your own mental health. I sometimes find that I loan books out and never see … Read more

How does therapy work? The basics.

By Aaron Kelsay | March 18, 2023

Therapy is a type of treatment that involves talking to a trained professional in order to improve mental health and well-being. There are different types of therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy, among others. However, most … Read more

Podcast: Avatar Review

By Aaron Kelsay | February 13, 2023

What happens when two counselors watch Avatar together? My friend Rhys, who is both a great friend and a very talented counselor, invited me to speak on his podcast about Avatar: The Way of Water. The movie is full of … Read more

What is Neurodiversity? (Jo Pedro-Frye)

By Aaron Kelsay | December 12, 2022

One of our clinicians, Jo Pedro-Frye, has extensive experience working with clients (and their families) who may identify “neurodivergent.” Here, she does an excellent job breaking down the basics of what neurodiversity means, and some of the common traits of … Read more

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