On To Balance

07/15/2025

Introducing Wes Contreras to our newly named counseling practice, OnToBalance! Starting Tuesday, July 22nd, he is offering low cost therapy available for anyone 14 years old and above based on what you can afford (no insurance). He is now accepting new clients in Oregon, with in person sessions in Salem available on Tuesdays.

Email counseling@ontobalance.com for more info or visit ontobalance.com

07/07/2025

Like this 75-year-old maple at the Portland Japanese Garden, we grow more beautiful as we stay rooted in mystery. ‘Live your questions now,’ and let each unfolding season become its own answer.

07/05/2025

Otter’s looking ahead to what’s next, and Ellie - the little black furball - is chillin’ in the here and now. They’re both right.

06/14/2023

Obsidian Bodyworks will have a booth at the Pride March and Salem Downtown Pride block party this Saturday, June 17th! Come say hi 10am-6pm We'll be doing massage, and have lots of goodies available, including a drawing for a F ree massage session!

05/30/2023

Made famous on TikTok, "if i were a fish" is a silly, fun ode to self-acceptance and self-confidence from the musician corook.

02/25/2023

Interactive medication management session tomorrow with a colleague:

My name is John Benson. I am a Texas-based PMHNP who will be relocating to Oregon this summer to work with the Collective Care Clinic in Portland and expand my private practice!

Do you have any burning clinical questions? Wondering if a client is taking the right medication? Puzzled by Paxil? Confused by ketamine?

I'm hosting a free "ask me anything" (about psychiatry) session via Zoom on Sunday, 03/05 @ noon!

Feel free to send me your questions in advance!

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsf-ihrT8qG9XJmqBpqZQm2HvR_NZ8s-rj

In the interim, here's an educational video I put together about the benefits and risks of SSRIs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUzRaC5UIJE

A detailed description of the risks and benefits of SSRIs intended for a general audience.

02/24/2023

We love our therapy dogs!

Therapy dogs can be more than our best friends; they can also help reduce clients’ stress and provide the emotional safety needed to process traumatic and painful life events.

12/05/2021

I post articles here that I don't want to forget...

Do we actually need "Man Parks" to spark socialization?

12/02/2021

His 2014 book, The Body Keeps the Score, has become a huge pandemic hit, topping bestseller lists this summer and becoming a meme on social media. What does it tell us about the world we live in?

11/13/2021

So true.

Forming new friendships as an adult can seem like an impossible feat. Psychologist Marisa G. Franco shares her top tips for making genuine connections.