Portland Therapy Center
Amanda Melbostad

Amanda Melbostad (she/they)

Student Counselor

200 RYT, MA Art Therapy Student Intern

Supervisor: Sarah Pattee MA, LMFT

I am a student intern at Live True Counseling getting my MA in Art Therapy from Lewis & Clark. I am genderqueer, and a 200 RYT.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

333 SW Taylor St #200

Portland , 97204

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $30-$75

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2024

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

My Ideal Client

Are you currently overwhelmed and burned out by daily life and navigating our oppressive systems? Feeling a loss of connection to your soul and purpose? Have you been on a healing journey for some time and needing a more wholistic approach to healing and mental health? Are you looking to deepen your healing practice with somatic and creative tools, or just try a different more embodied approach? Then I could be the therapist for you!

My Approach to Helping

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 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 movement, mindfulness and art 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 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). I am inspired by companies like Signal (messaging app) who are creating a whole new structure in their industry and proving that the current capitalist paradigm isn't the only option. I hope to create or be a part of changing the current structure of mental health into a place where people aren't labeled with symptoms of not fitting in, but are treated with compassion and care, welcomed into their humanity with open arms. I also value rest and a slower pace of life as resistance.

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.

  • 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

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