What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 7pm Tuesday 11am - 7pm Wednesday 4pm - 8pm Thursday 11am - 7pm Friday 11am - 6pm

River Psychotherapy LLC

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United States
Portland, OR
River Psychotherapy LLC

Mental health therapy services for adult and adolescent individuals as well as couples, specializing in trauma focused, mind-body based therapies.

10/09/2021

09/13/2021

Opening space for self-compassion to enter into the places of suffering.

03/27/2021

What’s getting you through right now?

01/23/2021

Healing comes from being seen and heard by a compassionate other.

01/15/2021

A friendly reminder...

Your body doesn't trust your positive thoughts.

We experience the world first through our senses, this information is then sent to the brain where our mind constructs a narrative to make meaning of our experience.

In fact, approximately 80% of the neurons responsible for our survival are afferent, meaning they carry information toward the brain. I'm not a neuroscientist, but from my cursory understanding, there's a superhighway of information moving from our body to our brain and a winding path moving back to our body.

While this is an over simplification, it may help us understand why our body doesn't trust our positive thoughts nearly as much as our mind trusts our "positive" sensations.

In the words of Deb Dana, our "physiological state creates a psychological story."

This also explains why focusing on positive thoughts is inefficient at best, and in many cases can be dismissive and toxic. Prioritizing positivity gets it backwards — when we feel safe our mind is more likely to construct a positive story not the other way around.

We can't think ourselves out of trauma because our bodies don't care that much about our stories or our thoughts, our bodies simply want to be safe. Trying to convince ourselves that we're safe may result in a compelling story, but our body is not buying our positive thoughts. Our bodies don't speak a verbal language, they communicate in the language of sensation.

This realization has made a huge difference in how I understand and work with trauma.

I'd love to hear if this concept was a light bulb moment for you too.

-Brian

11/02/2020

The gift of therapy.

09/21/2020

Entering into a shared space with a therapist is all about turning inward - to slow down, be in the present moment, notice what comes up, soften to all feelings, and welcome all parts of ourself so they are seen and heard - on a path toward a beautiful unfolding into our authentic Self.

Address

5520 South Macadam Avenue, Suite 210
Portland, OR
97239

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 7pm
Tuesday	11am - 7pm
Wednesday	4pm - 8pm
Thursday	11am - 7pm
Friday	11am - 6pm

Telephone

+15038934141

Website

https://riverpsychotherapy.com/

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A trauma-focused guide for courageous work

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Life is hard. Sometimes, we experience things that overwhelm our ability to cope causing feelings of powerlessness, depression, anxiety, anger, or grief. Our experience may feel like a wrecking ball has smashed into our life, or maybe it’s been a slow leak and the foundation is cracking. Either way, we feel tired and not sure how to face the damage and rebuild or start anew.

Maybe you experienced a devastating loss - that of losing a loved one.

Or maybe you find yourself here struggling to hold onto a relationship that feels broken. Or maybe you arrive here grieving the recent loss of a relationship or friendship. Or perhaps you long for a connected relationship, but it doesn’t feel possible.

Maybe you look good on the outside and excel in your career, but in the quiet moments, you feel lousy on the inside and wonder what is missing or what lies beneath the heaviness.

Or maybe you grew up in a home where there was abuse or neglect, and you now carry the remnants of that trauma in your beliefs and body and it shows up in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic symptoms, and substance abuse, and you’re ready to unpack the past and change who you are in the present.

Or maybe you’re not sure what is wrong, but you are wracked with anxiety and are losing hope that things will improve.

None of us are immune from loss, heartbreak, or the shattering of something that felt sure, but you are not alone and it’s ok to need support.

Whatever is coming up for you, I am here. I provide a space grounded in safety, acceptance, attunement, patience, and compassionate care where you are seen and heard, maybe for for the first time. I offer a safe container where you can explore what lies beneath the pain and despair, and experience repair and connection, and a place to create the best possible you!

Healing from relational trauma must tend to all of you - your mind, body, emotions and soul. I help clients learn to stay in the moment, be present with difficult emotions, explore the hidden parts of yourself, strengthen resilience, gain insights into your relational patterns, let go of what is no longer helpful, and embrace new growth and connection.

I will be a gentle witness for your soul, an encouraging guide for your heart, and a curious challenger for your mind as you speak your truth, lean into the sharp points, embrace your strengths and heal on your heroic journey.

If you are in pain, struggling or just really stuck, please reach out to me at (503) 893-4141 or email shay.larken@riverpsychotherapy.com. I love this work and look forward to sharing sacred ground as you embark on a courageous path of restoration and growth.