Portland Therapy Center
Andrea Mize

Andrea Mize (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Individual identity affirming therapy and counseling for adults - queer, kinky, non-monogamous, and intimate industry professionals welcome

Client Status

waitlist

Contact

5039575947

2929 Multnomah Blvd

Ste 304

Portland, 97219

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $160-$180

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2013

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Network
  • Medicare
  • OHP CareOregon/HealthShare
  • OHP Single Case Agreement
  • OHP Trillium
  • PacificSource
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My Ideal Client

I believe you're here because something in your life isn't work as you would like it to. I would like to help you tap into your internal, intrinsic ability to identify where the problem is, make changes where you can, develop self-compassion if that is lacking in your life, and heal what hurts. Whether you are just figuring out who you are and have known for some time, I provide an affirming and knowledgeable collaborative environment for you to make the change you need to.

My Approach to Helping

I offer both brief problem-oriented, solution-focused therapy (6-20 sessions) and longer-term, open-ended psychotherapy depending upon your needs. I offer support and compassion while challenging you to move towards your stated goals. Our sessions will be more of a conversation and collaboration with feedback flowing both directions to help you make the movement you seek. Productive therapy and life change happens when a solid, trusting relationship forms between client and therapist. One of my strengths as a therapist is forming that bond quickly with my clients so that we can identify and address problems together. While therapy takes time, I endeavor to help the change process along, providing encouragement and insight to aid carefully yet efficient growth.

My Values as a Therapist

I share many identities with the people I serve and have a long personal history with invisibility. I bring a personal and professional understanding of the toll invisibility takes. While many people have identities reflected in community membership, we can often feel separated from these spaces and people. I believe most of us don't fit neatly into boxes, including ones designed for those of us left out of traditional spaces. A sense of belonging and inclusion are some of the key factors in mental wellness. I strive to help my clients find safety, security and belonging in themselves to carry with them when encountering places and spaces that do not foster inclusion and support they attempt to offer.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    My graduate training program was based in psychodynamic teachings. I continue to seek out continuing educational opportunities to support this foundational understanding of human behavior. I combine elements of each of the treatment approaches I listed to create a foundation that addresses your particular needs.

  • Relational  External link

    I focus on the development of healthy relationships as part of mental health. This includes understanding boundaries as well as understanding the importance of attachment in our relationships. I am a whole person that develops a relationship with you in the treatment. While he therapy is focused on you, I understand that concerns that arise in your relationships outside of therapy will likely show up in our sessions. We can address them openly so you can use that knowledge outside of therapy.

  • Eclectic External link

    I tend to draw from many differnet theories and perspectives as I have not found one particular method that suits all or most clients. I appreciate the many theories and interventions I have had exposure to and have found most to be useful in some way for some clients. I work instinctively relying on the relationship built and the requests that clients make such as needing a particular understanding or type of skill in order to determine which approaches to draw from.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Sexual Problems External link

    I am a kink-aware sex and identity therapist with a focus on holistic and integrative approaches. I have extensive experience with, am a proponent of, and have have received prior training in, the benefits of kink-oriented practices in personal growth and healing. A particular area of specialty is in transitions from type of sexual identity to another as well as fluid sexual identity. I enjoy helping partners navigate sexual and desire differences to create mutually satisfying relationships.

  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships External link

    I have a 20 year personal history with this identity, with a focus on LGBTQIA community in ethical and consensual nonmongamy. In addition I have attended numerous trainings over the last decade and continue to immerse myself in new developments taking place in the various communities attached to non-monogamy in it's many forms and manifestations. I am particularly interested in supporting those who are wanting to address the impact of mono-normative thinking on their choices and challenges.

  • Gender Identity External link

    I am an identity-affirming clinician for all gender identities. In the last few years I have had a lot of experience with supporting nonbinary, genderqueer and gendervoid folks. I offer therapy to support those who are gender-questioning as well as those who have a trans history or gender nonconforming identity that is not a focus of therapy but want someone who understands how this part of identity affects how they interact with the world and how the world responds to them.

Contact Andrea

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