Portland Therapy Center
Amanda Melbostad

Amanda Melbostad (she/they)

Professional Counselor Associate

200 RYT, MA Art Therapy

Supervisor: Ryan Brown

I am a relational somatic trauma-informed therapist who loves integrating attachment theory, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

333 SW Taylor St #200

Portland , 97204

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $120-$150

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2024

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Relationship
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

My Ideal Client

I work with adults seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, chronic stress, burnout, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and major life transitions. My clients are often craving a stronger body-mind connection, to help them feel more embodied in their day to day, which looks like build emotional resilience, regulating the nervous system, improve relationships, develop greater self-understanding and self-trust.

My Approach to Helping

I am a relational somatic therapist working from an existential-humanistic lens, integrating attachment theory, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and narrative therapy. My work is grounded in the understanding that healing happens through the body, relationships, and meaning-making, not just through insight alone. I also draw from my training in art therapy and yoga to incorporate creativity, breath, and embodied awareness into the therapeutic process. These approaches can support deeper self-understanding, emotional processing, and new pathways for healing and connection. Before becoming a therapist, I spent nearly two decades in the creative corporate world, including six years at adidas. This experience informs my understanding of burnout, high-performance environments, identity strain, workplace dynamics, and career transitions. I enjoy supporting clients navigating similar systems and pressures.

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

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • Art Therapy External link

    I have been a creative and artist the majority of my life with 2 previous art degrees. I have an MA in Art Therapy from Lewis & Clark College.

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, with 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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