Portland Therapy Center
Amanda Melbostad

Amanda Melbostad (she/they)

Professional Counselor Associate

200 RYT, MA Art Therapy

Supervisor: Ryan Brown

I love working with adults, young and old, looking to deepen their healing journey. I identify as genderqueer and am a 200 RYT.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

333 SW Taylor St #200

Portland , 97204

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $150

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2024

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Relationship
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

My Ideal Client

I work mostly with Queer and Neurodivergent adults navigating a world that was not built for them. Working through identity and relationship struggles, attachment wounds, work and career transitions, anxiety, depression and other co-existing mental health challenges. I also work with folks who have been on a healing journey for some time and are looking for a more wholistic and creative approach, tired of traditional talk therapy and looking to strengthen their mind-body connection.

My Approach to Helping

As a relational therapist, I work from a nueroqueer anti-racist framework and lean on existential, queer, narrative and mindful theories while also utilizing strategic and evidence based practices. I believe its important to balance evidence based tools with some of the magic and mystery of ancient techniques we haven't quite figured out how to measure yet. As a certified yoga instructor I use mindfulness and creativity to gently guide people into connection with their true self which is where healing can begin. My focuses include Somatics, Trauma, toxic work environments, Queer 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences, and grief.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that healing is a basic human right, and we all hold the potential to heal. The struggles of daily life and oppressive systems can cause us to lose connection to our soul and purpose, leading to our suffering. Our bodies not only hold the stories of our lives but that of our ancestors. There is no one magic tool or way to heal, everyone's journey is unique and I believe a good therapist guides you to find the answers and tools that are right for you.I have been a long time change agent and active participant in enacting change within the oppressive systems I've been a part of; from leading a corporate employee resource group fighting for gender equity, volunteering with the Black Resilience Fund and p;ear for over a year. I've been a part of large fundraising efforts for Leukemia and Lymphoma society and Undestructable (DV & IPV organization).

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Art Therapy External link

    I have been a creative and artist the majority of my life with 2 previous art degrees, I am now acquiring my MA in Art Therapy at Lewis & Clark.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    I am a 200hr certified yoga instructor with six years of teaching experience with vinyasa, hatha, slow flow and my recent love, restorative. I enjoy incorporating meditation and breath work into my mindfulness practice and classes.

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    I am a certified yoga instructor where I was awakened to the power the body mind connection in the healing process. I have taken several Somatic Therapy classes and will be enrolling in the Tamalpa Institutes Expressive Arts Somatic Training to become a Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME).

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Cultural and Systemic Oppression External link

    Although I don't love the term expertise, I do have a keen eye to detect systems of oppression and the conditioned stories we internalize. This came through my experience in the corporate apparel world, the help of amazing mentors and a DEI certification, as well as listening to the diverse people around me.

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    Personal experience with being queer, and professional experience helping LGBTQIA+ community members navigate a world not built for them.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    My experience with loss and grief comes from my own personal experience of loosing my father and beloved pup, as well as working at Legacy Cancer Center and the mentorship of two incredible supervisors.

Contact Amanda

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