Portland Therapy Center
Amanda Holden, LPC, CADC-I

Amanda Holden, LPC, CADC-I (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I help individuals & couples move from overwhelm, self-doubt, & dissatisfying relationships to living with joy, connection, & confidence.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-839-2230

1110 SE Alder Street Suite #301

Portland, OR 97214

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $175-$190

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2009

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

Most of my clients experienced emotional neglect or other forms of developmental trauma as children. Many were raised with well-intentioned, yet emotionally-immature parents & now struggle with heightened anxiety & hypervigilance, feeling shut down or highly anxious in relationships, or feeling as though they are "too much" or "not enough". All come to me with the hope of healing & building healthier relationships, but don't know where to start or haven't been able to do it on their own.

What I Specialize In

I'm a trauma-informed therapist trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) & the Gottman Method. I specialize in working with couples who are struggling to feel connected, have communication issues, or are having the same arguments on repeat. I also specialize in working with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, anger or irritability, setting healthy boundaries or saying 'no', or dealing with difficult relationships. I use my training & expertise to help you heal childhood wounds, gain practical tools to more effectively cope with anxiety & overwhelm, set better boundaries, and improve communication & intimacy with your partner(s). Some, but not all of my clients are also raising children & struggling to be the parents they want to be. All of my work is done through a feminist, anti-hate, anti-racist, decolonized, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming lens. I don't always get it right, but I'm sure as hell going to keep showing up to do the work.

Why I Became a Therapist

I'm a therapist because I love people. I know I'm going to like you. I always do. If you are coming in for couples' therapy, I'm going to like your partner, too. I'll see the best in you and how damn hard you've already tried before you ever reached out for therapy. I see so much hurting around me & I want to be a healing force in this world. I want to help hurting partners communicate in ways that build trust, increase safety in the relationship, and make people feel like they've got the best, most supportive ally in this often scary and difficult world. I want to help individuals see their innate goodness, to help them feel seen and heard, and to help them cope with the overwhelm, anger, and anxiety they feel too much too often.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Narrative  External link

    I firmly believe that although you may need support or guidance to reach your therapeutic goals, you are the expert on your own life and you are not your problems. Since my extensive research into Narrative Therapy during my graduate studies, I have utilized this form of psychotherapy to help clients re-author their own lives.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    Nurturing a spirit of mindfulness (practicing active, non-judgmental, curious, neutral attention to our moment-to-moment experience) is the foundation of the work I do with clients.

  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) External link

    I utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy methods with almost all of my clients. I have discovered that profound therapeutic change often occurs for those who not only accept and make peace with their internal experience but also create practical solutions in their daily lives through behavioral and cognitive change.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Personal Growth External link

    For lasting impact, I have found the foundation of personal growth must be the fostering of a deep sense of worthiness exactly as one is. Although a commonly-held belief, self-judgment and self-criticism do not motivate us to do better; they keep us stuck in the very patterns we seek to avoid. Only when we learn to let go of unhelpful narratives about who we are can we realize our full potential.

  • Drug Dependence / Abuse / Addiction External link

    I’m a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and enjoy working with those struggling with patterns of substance use. Whether your teen is using meth, you’re a successful professional concerned about your use of opiates, or you’re worried about your partner, I’m here to help. I have no interest in stereotypes or labels and am here to provide the support you need to reach your goals.

  • Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence External link

    I’m a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and enjoy working with those struggling with patterns of substance use. Whether you suspect your teen is drinking too much, you’re a successful professional concerned about your own use alcohol, or you’re worried about your partner's drinking, I’m here to help. I have no interest in stereotypes or labels and am here to provide the support you need.

  • Self-Esteem External link

    To help clients address self-esteem concerns, I use a combination of mindfulness skills, cognitive strategies, and the development of supportive narratives. With these tools, I assist clients in integrating shame resiliency skills into their daily lives.

  • Anxiety External link

    In helping you find effective relief from anxiety, I utilize a mindfulness-based approach coupled with cognitive-behavioral skills and strategies.

Contact Amanda

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