Portland Therapy Center
Kate McNulty

Kate McNulty

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

My practice is devoted to helping people improve their relationships and intimate lives through research-based expertise.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503 295 6265

4110 SE Hawthorne

#324

Portland, OR 97214

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $220-$260

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 1988

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

Most of my clients are resourceful and bright people who have run out of their own ideas and are looking for a fresh point of view. Many want to develop new interpersonal skills beyond those they already possess. A lot of the people I see are psychologically curious, but not everyone is; I also enjoy more practical-minded people who are interested in solving a problem they face and getting back to their lives, better equipped to handle their challenges.

My Approach to Helping

My orientation in working with clients is strengths-based and collaborative. Most people find the type of therapy I offer is informative and engaging. I enjoy helping people learn new ways of looking at themselves. Counseling is often referred to as "hard work." Indeed, our discussions may bring up emotions that are quite intense and difficult . However there is also a lot of room for humor, pleasure and the delight of the unexpected in any counseling session. I seek out those moments and call them to your attention. I see counseling as a place to try out new behaviors, receive honest feedback and increase your emotional intelligence. My approach is pragmatic; I provide people with plenty of handouts, information, tools and resources. You will find the way I work with you is tailored to your particular situation and needs. Although I am trained in many methods of counseling, the very best method is always based on your immediate circumstances and concerns.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I have extensive training and experience working with relationship issues and sexual concerns. I am certified as a Gottman Relationship Therapist by the Gottman Institute of Seattle, a research institute that has spent 40+ years studying couple and family relationships with true scientific rigor. I also hold certification as a Sex Therapist through AASECT, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Both of these credentials required comprehensive study, direct demonstration of clinical skills and endorsement by other therapists who could attest to my competence. I am proud of my association with these organizations because of their dedication to protecting clients' well-being and to ongoing, engaged critical thinking about the field of mental health. Prior to opening my private practice my professional experience was in local agencies with children, teens and families. I also worked in a hospital ER for 15 years.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Collaborative Couple Therapy External link

    Collaborative Couples Therapy helps couples learn to attend to one another's natural emotional reactions with empathy and compassion, rather than becoming adversarial with each other. I have studied intensively with Dan WIle, who developed this method and who john Gottman, a renowned researcher in this field, has called 'our greatest living marital therapist.'

  • Gottman Method External link

    I am certified as a Gottman Relationship Therapist by the Gottman Institute of Seattle, where a team has spent over 40 years looking into all the ways happy and healthy couples function together. This method helps couples improve their patterns of communicating based on using their existing strengths and adding new tools and awareness.

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy External link

    My orientation is pragmatic and my interest in therapy is helping you get access to the tools and information you need. Typically people come in for a series of sessions and then return whenever they feel the need for a check-in or when they hit another bump in the road. We are always collaborating when it comes to deciding how long it makes sense for us to work together.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Sexual Addiction External link

    Although the concept of sexual “addiction” is widely-recognized by the general public, it remains a controversial topic in the sex therapy field. If your sexual thoughts or behaviors are upsetting to you or your partner, I provide a level headed and well-researched perspective. I have helped many people with this and would love to hear from you.

  • Sexual Problems External link

    I am certified as a Sex Therapist by AASECT, the preeminent organization credentialing specialists in this field. I help with a wide range of concerns such as lack of desire, difficulties with orgasm and sexual pain, and sexual conflict or confusion. See www.sexpositivetherapist.com

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    My professional career has been devoted to the mystery of what it takes to have great relationships. After all, what is more important in life? I have trained intensively with John Gottman and Dan Wile, widely recognized experts in this field, and can help you quickly switch from ineffective to effective habits and behaviors, to bring you the loving relationship you deserve.

Contact Kate

Optional note (300 character limit). Please do not include sensitive medical information.