Therapy, challenges to therapy, human connection and vulnerability.

Progress Counseling

Identifying, naming problems, and changing is universally difficult. Addictions counseling can be taken as a microcosm of the healing relationship. The addictions counselors on our team may agree, the process by which substance use becomes a problem is often insidious. Problems rarely announce themselves. Sometimes there is a problem with naming a problem (e.g. “admitting you have a problem is the first step”). This can be the case for individuals, families, larger social systems. This sounds like “I didn’t know it was that bad until (fill in the blank)” or “at least (the identified client) still has a job,” etc. Typical of the change process, especially in the substance use recovery community, is omission, minimization, blaming, “I’ll deal with the problem tomorrow,” and “Other people have it much worse than me.” And, of course this is the case. Change, whether it’s addiction, working through grief, adding a healthy habit, is incredibly hard.

Spiritual Abuse

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 this exodus has been a national trend, as well – even before the pandemic devastated … Read more

Why don’t men go to therapy?

Telehealth available

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 studies, only 1 in 4 men will seek counseling, while women are almost twice as … Read more