Portland Therapy Center
Annette Smith

Annette Smith (she/her)

Professional Counselor Associate

MA, NCC, LPC Registered Associate

Supervisor: Ghassan Ammar, LPC

I work with adults of all ages who seek to forge their own path of authenticity through the practice of discovering meaning in their life.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

971-267-2623

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $75-$180

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2020

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket

My Ideal Client

Feeling disillusioned by life, desiring a change, but feeling stuck is common. If you're overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depleted, or depressed about the many complex issues in your life and want to feel some relief, I help you to process and manage the problems of your life while seeking meaning for yourself. Existential crises are increasingly effecting individuals and you're not alone in these feelings. I specialize in helping individuals (re)create and regain a sense of purpose and wellness.

My Background and Approach

I have been working with children and families in various capacities for over 20 years and one of the greatest things I have learned is that human connection is a conduit of healing. When there is a lack of connection, humans can feel despair, helplessness, fear, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression. Attachment disruptions, trauma, and lack of emotional attunement can create wounds that are felt for a lifetime. When those wounds go left untreated they can create problems and distress in our lives in the here and now. Healing those wounds become part of the process of gaining wellness, repairing relationships, and becoming fulfilled versions of ourselves. I work individually with adults 18+. I specialize in Attachment and trauma work using an Existential lens of discovering meaning in life. I work well with individuals who are experiencing existential crises that range from discovering one's authentic self to creating and accepting the meaning their life and experiences have.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I became a counselor to co-facilitate others' healing journeys. I believe that every individual has the ability to heal themselves and to find the peace and fulfillment they desire. I believe that my role as a counselor is to guide others on their journey. As a member of the BIPOC community, I am committed to serving those who also identify as BIPOC as well as other communities who have been marginalized in the mental health field. My position as a counselor also places me in the role of a social justice advocate seeking to support individuals in their empowerment. Within a collaborative environment, I work with clients in practical ways that give them real-world tools to navigate challenging experiences. I also work with clients to deepen their own understanding and meaning-making of their life and the world around them.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Attachment Theory External link

    I have used Attachment Theory in the decades of work I have done with children and families. It is a lens through which I use to understand the needs of individuals and to explain the behaviors we see in both children and adults.

  • Coaching External link

    I have been using coaching as a way of supporting individuals in their life and career goals as well as with parenting. It is a useful and complementary tool with use in counseling to help individuals apply practical skills to their lives. Where counseling is a great venue for processing, coaching supports tangible action steps a person can take.

  • Humanistic  External link

    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.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Personal Growth External link

    One of my greatest joys is to see individuals grow in the many different ways that help them feel fulfilled and to live with purpose. I help support individuals in making small steps towards change as well as supporting them through major life transitions. Support for personal growth includes processing grief, change, and transitions. We also dive into discovering where we have been as a way of understanding ourselves now and charting a new future.

  • Parenting External link

    I have been working with parents for several years on skill building, creating and securing an Attachment, and learning attunement with their children. I work with parents individually and within groups. I am also a firm believer that how we are parented greatly impacts our lives. I work with adults who are looking to heal their wounds around how they were parented, helping them to re-parent themselves in healthy ways.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    Much of my work focuses on the loss and grief individuals experience throughout their lives. Life transitions, both positive and negative, carry with them some level of loss and grief and I help individuals process those and work toward creating balance in their lives as they experience these losses.

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    How we are within relationships can greatly affect our quality of life. I work with individuals to support their relationships to include open/non-monogamous relationships.

Contact Annette

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