Portland Psychotherapy - counseling and classes

03/06/2026

How can psychotherapy be most effectively integrated with psychedelics (especially psilocybin) to maximize patient benefits? What specific questions should we be exploring, to better address patients' needs?

These are the exact questions our next TRIPS event will tackle.

Join us next Friday, March 13th at 9:00 AM PT for a Zoom conversation with Dara Friedman-Wheeler, PhD, and Kristy Arthur, LCPC, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.

They'll explore the underexamined role of psychotherapy in psychedelic-assisted therapy, moving beyond "safety only" to ask how therapeutic methods can be studied and refined to deepen patient outcomes.

This is a must-attend for clinicians, researchers, and anyone invested in the future of psychedelic medicine.

🎟️ RSVP at the link below (free event)
🔗https://www.tripscience.org/event-details/so-many-things-yet-unstudied-what-we-dont-know-about-psychotherapy-in-psychedelic-practice

03/04/2026

Think you need a doctor's note to start therapy with OHP? Think again.

We are a direct-access provider. If you have Oregon Health Plan (through Trillium, CareOregon/Healthshare, or Open Card), you can call or text us to begin your intake process. No referral required!

We've worked hard to become an in-network OHP provider to make this access point as straightforward as possible. Your journey to healing shouldn't start with navigating a maze.

Ready to walk through our open door? Reach out directly.
Contact: Call (503) 281-4852 | https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/contact-us/

03/02/2026

In 2026, instead of pressuring yourself with resolutions, what if you took a more compassionate, sustainable approach?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) invites us to slow down, reflect on what truly matters, and move toward our values with kindness, not perfectionism.

Here’s a gentle framework from Psychology Today to start your year:

🕊️ Slow Down: Give yourself permission to rest and recover after the busy season.
🔍 Reflect: Use your emotions as clues to what you value most.
💛 Practice Self-Acceptance: Embrace your humanity; growth grows from compassion, not criticism.
🧭 Live by Your Values: Take small, consistent steps guided by what matters to you—not by short-term goals.

This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about building a life that feels meaningful, one intentional moment at a time.

If you’d like to explore how ACT can support you, we’re here.

👉 To learn more about ACT, visit https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/about_portland_psychotherapy/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy/

03/01/2026

Self-injury is often a profound expression of emotional pain and a way to cope when words fail. At Portland Psychotherapy, we understand these behaviors through a lens of compassion, not judgment.

Our approach focuses on building emotional tolerance, self-compassion, and new coping strategies. Healing begins with being seen and understood.

If you struggle with self-injury, know that support is available. Visit https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/our_specialties/ for more information.

02/10/2026

As psychedelic-assisted therapy enters mainstream practice, one of the most nuanced and ethically sensitive areas is the use of supportive touch. Clear, compassionate guidelines are essential—both for client safety and clinician confidence.

Join our free February TRIPS seminar to explore the newly developed ethical and professional standards for touch in psychedelic contexts. Led by Jenna LeJeune, PhD, and Kyong Yi, LCSW, this session will provide grounded, practical guidance you can apply immediately.

You’ll come away with:

🤝 Clarity on Best Practices: Learn when and how touch can be integrated safely and therapeutically.

🗣️ Skills for Transparent Conversation: Navigate values-based discussions about touch with clients before, during, and after sessions.

⚖️ Ethical Frameworks for Altered States: Understand key ethical considerations when clients are in non-ordinary states of consciousness.

📋 Protocols You Can Trust: Review emerging professional recommendations designed to protect both clients and practitioners.

Whether you're a therapist, facilitator, or trainee, this seminar will help you build an ethical, informed, and confident approach to supportive touch in psychedelic care.

📅 Date: February 13, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00–10:00 AM PST
📍 Location: Live on Zoom
🎟 Admission: FREE

Secure your spot today—this is essential learning for anyone committed to responsible, client-centered psychedelic therapy.

👉 RSVP here: https://www.tripscience.org/event-details/supportive-touch-in-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-best-practices-and-ethical-guidelines

07/22/2025

Comment below, what’s your goal in starting therapy? 💬 
 
Everyone’s needs are different! But here are a few to get you thinking: 

🌱 Personal Growth – Therapy isn’t just for when things feel hard. It’s a space to learn more about yourself, uncover your values, and grow into the person you want to be. 

🤝 Building Healthy Relationships – Whether it’s with a partner, family, or friends, therapy can help you improve communication, set boundaries, and connect more authentically. 

💛 Dealing With Your Feelings: 
Emotions can be overwhelming. Therapy offers support and tools to help you better understand, express, and cope with what you feel. 

Your mental health matters. You DON’T have to do it alone. 

07/22/2025

Our mission is to use science to develop and guide compassionate, effective treatment and contribute to the wider community through research and training. We offer primarily individual therapy and work with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) to reach those who otherwise could not afford care. 
 
Click the link in our bio to learn more about our organization, and our dedication to the Portland community! 

02/04/2025

I'm very excited to be speaking at the International Society for Research on Psychedelics virtual conference taking place on March 7th 11am-6:30pm EDT/8am-3:30pm PDT. The event features presentations by 27 of the world's top psychedelic researchers, and you can find out more and register at: www.isrpsych.org/conferences.
Hope to see you all there!

01/22/2025

Season 3 of the Research Matters Podcast from our CEO, Jason Luoma, is officially started! This is where he interviews leading researchers in psychology and other social sciences in an effort to understand what they do that makes them productive. This podcast is intended to help graduate students, professors, and scientists learn actionable strategies that can help them in their own research endeavors.

Check it out!

In the Research Matters Podcast, I interview leading researchers in psychology and other social sciences in an effort to understand what they do that makes them productive. This podcast is intended to help graduate students, professors, and scientists learn actionable strategies that can help them i...

08/29/2024

Portland Psychotherapy are recruiting participants for a new study that is looking to investigate the psychedelic substance, 5-MeO-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), as a potential medicine for Treatment Resistant Depression (i.e. depression that has not responded to two or more medications).

5-MeO-DMT is a 'psychedelic' drug that occurs naturally in many plants and some animals and is one of several controlled substances currently being investigated for their potential therapeutic properties. This clinical trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of 5-MeO-DMT when given together with psychological support in people with Treatment Resistant Depression to determine whether it is useful to investigate further as a treatment for this condition.

If you know anybody who might be interested in participating in the study, please direct them to here: https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/5-meo-dmt-for-treatment-resistant-depression-clinical-trial-volunteers-needed/

Thank you!

About the Trial We are seeking volunteers for a 16-week clinical trial examining 5-MeO-DMT with psychological support for Treatment Resistant Depression. 5-MeO-DMT for Treatment-Resistant Depression Clinical Trial: Volunteers Needed

08/27/2024

Join us on Sept 20 for ACT & Psychedelics: Using the Psychological Flexibility Model to Facilitate Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.

This workshop will focus on the core processes of change described by ACT and discuss how those same processes may be usefully applied to understanding and maximizing benefits from psychedelic experiences. To learn more and sign up, visit: https://www.portlandpsychotherapytraining.com/9-20-2024-ACT-and-Psychedelics

ACT & Psychedelics: Using the Psychological Flexibility Model to facilitate Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

06/28/2024

If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life, perhaps it would be thoughtfulness. - Confucius