Humanistic
Humanistic therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on encouraging a client’s self-awareness and mindfulness. Humanistic therapy is founded on the beliefs that people are inherently good and are more than the sum of their parts. Sessions generally have an optimistic tone and are non-judgmental. Humanistic therapists will urge clients to look inward and move towards personal growth and self-actualization.
Local experts in Humanistic
Marcy Irene Jenks (she/they)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, RN, LPC, LMHC
We are all humans first. I believe we are also innately good, even when our actions, thoughts or other people would convince us otherwise. The tenants of a Humanistic approach include self-actualization, creativity, intrinsic nature, becoming, and meaning. Your experiences and interpretations of these experience are central to understanding your place in the world. From a humanistic lens, we can explore these experiences and discover your unique self.
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Sarah Dykes
Professional Counselor Associate
We all have basic needs for compassion and connection in our lives. We deserve to be treated with respect in our human experience.
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Ashley Adler (she/her/hers)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
Humanistic therapy is all about acceptance: people are doing the best they can with the resources they have. Having a space to be unconditionally accepted for who you are can be a powerful agent of transformation.
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Margaret McNeal (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA
We are each unique expressions of nature held in complex interrelationships with one another and world around us. I approach our work holistically and see clients as unique and whole people—not as constellations of symptoms, not with a one-size-fits-all approach. I believe in your intrinsic wisdom and goodness, in the intelligence of the body and psyche, and see my role as therapist as that of a collaborative and skillful guide with you in the driver's seat.
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Elizabeth Sokolowski, PhD (She/They)
Clinical Psychologist
PhD
From a humanistic lens, I believe that people are fundamentally good and doing the best they can to live happy and healthy lives. Reducing distress often includes building awareness about yourself, your identity, and who you want to be. It is important to restore your trust in yourself, your wisdom, and your ability to heal from within.
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Helene Goode LPC, CADC I (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, CADC I
I believe that we are whole beings comprised of body, mind and spirit. I believe we each have a very deep drive for expressing our unique selves and striving for our own potential. We all have a wise voice within, my job is to meet you where you are and to support you in following your true self.
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Jenny Larson (she/her/hers)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC (OR), LMHC (WA)
I believe that everyone has the right to be who they are in the world, as they grow and learn. I practice an unconditional positive regard for my clients, even as they struggle with the challenges of being human. This lens frames my whole practice and no matter what type of intervention or modality I'm using, a humanistic approach drives my work with clients.
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Sprout Therapy PDX
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, LMFT, LCSW, Associates
We believe the relationship between clinician and client is the groundwork that leads to effective therapy. Creating a solid connection and mutual respect allows deep work to occur in the therapy room.
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Travis Wright (he/him)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA
I believe that each human being has great potential. Given time and space, most people can explore their past to see how it informs the present. Change is a function of time and the more we know about ourselves the larger the role we play to enact change. My goal has always been to come together with people to help them feel less alone and more connected to the world.
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Lisa Headings (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA, NCC, registered associate
I practice client-centered therapy. I encourage you to take an active role in your therapeutic process. My job as a therapist is to support you on your journey and help you draw out the answers that lie within you.
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Marley Dagner (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, NCC
'...it is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.'- Carl Rogers. I believe you are the expert on you. I work to create the opportunity for you to be known, seen, and heard nonjudgmentally through the therapeutic relationship. I am here to walk with you.
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Kristine Zappa (she/they)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC, R-DMT
The foundation of my counselor training is in humanistic and relational therapy.
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Gemma Baumer (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
Master's in Counseling
Humanistic Therapy is person-centered, meaning you are the expert on your experience. It holds the inherent growth potential in each of us, and is influenced by positive psychology, looking not at pathology and what's "wrong" with us, but instead our inherent need for meaning, expansion, and connection. Humanistic therapy emphasizes a strong and connected therapeutic alliance that feels genuine and flexible. Rather than a treatment, humanistic therapy is about a journey.
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Eric Loya (he/him)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
I devote my focus in therapy to embody the values of humanism. The therapeutic modalities I practice in order to maintain a humanistic approach include Strengths-based perspective, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.
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Carl Jensen
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, LPC
My approach is genuine, warm, and respectful. My earliest training was Rogerian, and I have many years of practice with this modality and active listening.
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Casey Black (he/him)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
A humanistic approach means that you’re going to experience me as being extremely curious about what it’s like to be you in this world right now, and that as you explore yourself in deeper and deeper ways I’m going to be right there with you, helping you process those findings. The humanistic approach also means that you’re going to get a real live person in the room, rather than a therapist with a blank face behind a notepad.
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Caroline McGrath LPC, NCC (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Master Jungian Life Coach, TRE® Certified Provider, Certified Yoga Calm® Youth Instructor, Holistic Health Practitioner
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Annette Smith (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA, NCC, LPC Registered Associate
I believe in the individual's ability to find their own healing path and to make choices that support that healing. I take the stance that an individual is an expert in their own life, and do what I can to provide the space for them to grow and experience wellness.
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Irma E. Llanes (she/her/ella)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
I approach you, my client from a strength- based perspective. True to the basis of Client Centered Therapy/Rogerian Therapy, I see people with a desire to fulfill their potential and become the best they can be. I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is conformable, nonjudgemental and empathetic.
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Brandon Bressi, MA, LPC (He/Him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
I invite you to come as you are, wherever you may be along your deeply HUMAN journey. We all have unique stories, experiences, and complexities that influence the lenses in which we view ourselves and the world around us. Using a humanistic approach to therapy will allow us to uncover your most authentic self by finding ways to courageously embody your truest essence in all aspects of your life.
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Melissa Hartley (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, NCC, LPC
This shows up in the way I actively see you. You can expect me to be committed to giving you unconditional positive regard, meaning I will see you as inherently good, and accept you without any action or behavior needed on your part.
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Jennifer Rocks, MA, MS, PsyD (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist
MA, MS, PsyD
Each of us wants to be approached with respect and positive regard. Acknowledging this allows us to connect with each other from a place of compassion and kindness. This fosters a nonjudgmental therapeutic environment that lets clients feel supported in sharing difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
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Simone Gotter-Nagle (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
I value the humanistic psychology approach because I believe it is essential to look at the individual as a whole and focus on self-efficacy and actualization. The problems people experience are a natural response to how difficult it is to live in our world and we can work together towards personal growth. Humanism encourages me to look for new ways to grow, connect, become healthier and happier.
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Steve Harper (He)
Professional Counselor
LPC, MCOUN, MED
Changing habits begin with healing the core 'self'. Self-esteem recovery is at the heart of an integral approach. A whole-self and soul integration philosophy is supported with practical tools for change, while attuned to your individual needs.
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Emily Fagan (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
The foundation of my counseling practice is humanistic. I see clients as the experts in their own experience, and I take a truly non-judgmental, collaborative approach to helping clients unleash their innate potential for healing.
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Nicole Phelps (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
We all have great potential within us. A humanistic approach means that your work with the therapist is a collaboration, creating a space for you to explore the areas of your life that you would like to strengthen or improve. This approach is focused on you as a whole person. The therapist will support you in identifying your strengths, resources and areas for growth.
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Aaron Good (he/him/his)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, CRC, LPC, CCC
I couple humanistic counseling with Reality Therapy, using our desire for connection and meaning in our lives to drive client-centered behavior change.
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Allison Medford (she/her)
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
MA, LMFT, ATR
I believe in the power of authentic and collaborative relationships as the foundation for healing and personal growth. I understand that seeking support for your mental health is a significant and courageous step toward creating positive change in your life. My private practice is dedicated to providing a safe and compassionate space where you can explore your inner world, find genuine connection, and receive the care you truly deserve.
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Krystal Marcinkiewicz
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
I prefer to look at the whole person, not just from a therapist perspective but also by highlighting the client's perspective of self. My emphasis here is to focus on each client's positive behaviors and traits, and to provide guidance to enhance the ability to use your own personal instincts to find growth, fulfillment, healing, and wisdom within yourself.
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Bethany Ingram (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
I approach therapy with the foundational perspective that we are all doing our best with the knowledge and experiences we have at the time. When we peel back the layers of pain, wounds, and trauma, we find our true selves. I enjoy guiding my clients back to themselves within the therapeutic relationship.
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Justice Arledge LPC Associate, MS (he/him)
Professional Counselor Associate
master's in clinical mental health counseling
This is the one I lean to the most Person-centered (PC) /Humanistic; client gets to decide what life you want to live. PC reminds client that they are in control of their life and their future. PC believes that the past does not necessarily determine their future. PC asks therapist to consider events from the client’s point of view. Looking at the situation from the client’s point of view can assist the counselor to understand why the decision or particular path was made.
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Ronald L Johnson
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, CADC, CYT
At University of California, Santa Cruz, I took the Humanistic Psychology track, and so was exposed to the beautiful learnings and teachings of Carl Jung, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow, along with the genius of the wisdom traditions of Native Americans, Mexican shamanism, Buddhism, Sufism, and the physical practice and inspiring philosophy of Yoga.
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Erin Carney Moline
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
You are the most important person in the therapy room. This is your life, your therapy, and within you is a spark of light and intelligence that will grow if given the chance. For me, the greatest gift of being a therapist is watching that spark come to life.
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Art Chaklader (He/Him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, NCC
I have been lucky to study under a number of professors who adhere to the humanistic approach. For me, this is rooted in the idea that humans are ultimately good, and constantly attempting to move toward self-actualization. Under this template, the therapeutic relationship that we create in session is ultimately the tool that will provide the space for you to reach your goals.
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Amy Galaviz (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA, Professional Counselor Associate (OR), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (WA)
'Whatever your story, you no longer need to be alone with it. This is what will allow your healing to begin.'~ Carl Rogers. Rogers believed that the therapeutic relationship was at the forefront of the healing process. As a Person-Centered therapist, I am here to support you, so that you can feel comfortable and safe while I walk alongside you on this journey to growth and healing.
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Courtney Watson (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
Humanistic theories are about accessing your internal resources and embodying your true nature. I do not 'give' you anything in therapy, I simply assist in your access to what is already there. I strive to provide empathy, non-judgment, and authenticity to every client. I integrate techniques and methods from many sources, though I view my clients and the world through humanism.
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Kimberly Woodworth (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, LPC, NCC
My work is built on the foundation of person-centered care where the work is compassionate, authentic, non-judgmental and collaborative.
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Kir Rian (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA, MFA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor/WA, Professional Counselor Associate/OR
Fundamentally, I believe in your worth and your capacity--even if you can't see that in yourself. This premise is the foundation of the humanistic approach and it is paramount to my work. I also believe you are responsible for building your life and knowing and owning who you are. I am here to support, but also to be real with you. The humanistic approach assists people with improving their functioning, their symptoms, their self awareness and self acceptance, personal responsibility, and power
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Colin Wolf (he/him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
My approach is deeply humanistic, with a focus on increasing access to your intuition and heart through a collaborative, curious and compassionate therapeutic relationship.
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Jennie Hagen (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LMHC, LPC
Humanistic, or 'person-centered,' therapy focuses on helping you recognize your worth and value as a person. Using this type of therapy, I emphasize that you're the expert on your own experience, and that I'm here as a tool to help you identify what will work best for you. It encourages acceptance of yourself, just as you are, while also bringing about freedom to enact change.
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Richard Halpern (he/him)
Professional Counselor
M.A., Trauma Informed Coach
A Client Centered approach developed by Carl Rogers was the philosophical core of my Masters and I still bring it into my practice today. It emphasizes a nondirective, nonjudgemental, empathetic approach that empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process. This counseling is based on Rogers’ belief that everyone strives for and has the capacity to fulfill his or her own potential.
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jane Newman
Licensed Professional Counselor
The focus of my training is General Counseling with expertise in grief and loss; this work involves humanistic counseling theory - supportive, person-centered and non-judgmental. My role is to companion the bereaved, which involves a holistic and genuine presence. While other theories come into play during sessions (narrative, experiential,family systems, CBT,) my strongest focus is Humanistic.
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Ryan Grassmann, M.A., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
In conjunction with the numerous forms to cognitive-behavioral therapies I use in session, I also take much pleasure in introducing clients to the benefits of doing our work as two humans. I'm a person; you're a person. This cannot be avoided, nor should it. My job is to hold the space for your experience, your thoughts and emotions. I take this role seriously but I never abandon the fact that we are two people sharing time and space with each other. This is the human condition.
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Robin Friedman, LCSW (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
L5164
I come from a humsnistic and person centered perspective. Celebrating each persons capacity to heal and I honor each person with unconditional positive regard. Non-pathologizing feminist Multi-cultural, social justice approach.
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Rochelle Schwartz
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I am a very open, genuine, and honest person, professionally and personally. I believe that you are the expert on yourself, and that we all need a little clarity at times. I will help you put together the pieces of the puzzle that is you, to lead to a strong sense of self, of confidence, and of trust within yourself.
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Lindsay Anderson (She/Her)
Professional Counselor Associate
M.A., NCC, Professional Counselor Associate, MCHA
We are all connected through our shared experience of being human. Getting to know ourselves is one of the most empowering and healing things we can do. I fully believe that being seen, heard, and witnessed nonjudgmentally by another human is one of the most healing experiences we can have.
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Megan McDavid, LCSW, MEd
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Using a warm, positive approach, I help clients develop a stronger sense of themselves and harness the strengths already inside of us.
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JESSICA VAN DER MERWE (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LMHC, LPC
The therapist defers to the client as the expert of their experience, using a nonjudgmental stance when listening and attuning to a client’s narrative. This is paired with a processes guiding approach, which involves the gentle confrontation of incongruencies to explore paths to growth and change.
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Colleen Burke-Sivers, LPC (She/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
Humanistic therapy is based on Carl Rogers' theory of 'unconditional positive regard'. In other words, everyone is doing the best they can with what they have at the moment, and is accepted just as they are. Humanistic practitioners start from where the client is, and does not try to apply a 'one size fits all' approach, as each client will need a unique combination of approaches and techniques.
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Michael Viola (He/Him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, MA, BA
Intuition and a spiritual connection are what have informed my own healing. My deep connection permits others to find their own connection and to explore and strengthen it. This process will encourage the full flowering of our gifts as we share them. This truth is what we carry as potential in our hearts, what is meant to be shared in order to leave our unique mark in the world.
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