Portland Therapy Center
Erik Patterson

Erik Patterson (he/him)

Professional Counselor Associate

Supervisor: Michelle Blum

I am expanding my hours to take on several new clients over the next few months.

Client Status

not accepting clients

Contact

7577423056

teleheath

Portland, OR 97204

Email

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $130-$145

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Approach to Helping

Therapeutic counseling that works is counseling that supports you to create change, reach your potential, and accomplish your goals. As your counselor, I will join with you to navigate through the things that stand in your way. Barriers to change are different for every person. You may be struggling through depression or anxiety; trying to navigate changes in relationships; isolation; living with trauma; struggling with work, family, or stress; or you are one of the many who simply can’t identify what is getting in the way. My goal is to help you find a path forward and start making changes. Over the course of my adult life, I’ve been on a professional journey to learn and practice the most effective ways that I can support people. I’ve worked with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. I am honored and grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had to help many people through some of the most difficult moments in life. I hope to support you on your journey.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

For over 20 years I've worked in professional mental health. My background helped me grow a deep passion for helping people develop their strengths and find their own path for growth and change. I've worked with people from diverse lived experiences and I am committed to understanding how your personal experience has affected you. My approach integrates a range of counseling orientations and philosophies. If this is your first time seeking help from a counselor, or you’ve been in therapy for years, I hope to explore the things that have worked best for you in the past to find a personalized strategy to manage your situation in the present.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Eclectic External link

    I draw from numerous modalities that I have studied and used. I deeply believe that effective therapy requires a flexible, rather than dogmatic approach. The process of getting to know you and your specific situation is an essential prerequisite to developing an approach. While I have extensive knowledge and experience with many modalities, there are some approaches, such as EMDR and DBT, that I cannot provide. In general, I lean into approaches that emphasize "client centered" care.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Personal Growth External link

    Counseling isn't just about problems! We work through difficult moments, and then what? Sometimes, the opportunity for growth occurs when we stay open to self exploration, becoming more resilient, and learning about ourselves simply for the sake of enriching our lives.

  • Self-Esteem External link

    How we understand ourselves is central to our lived experience. Making sense of a world that is often unjust and unfair takes a personal toll. Finding meaning and purpose in life includes exploring how we have come to understand ourselves and creating space to shift. This is often central to creating real, tangible change.

  • Suicidal Ideation External link

    Suicidal thoughts come up when we are faced with overwhelming challenges. This is a common experience for millions of people and it is an important part of the conversation we have. These thoughts can be especially hard for many people to talk about. I am very committed to creating an open, respectful environment where this important conversation can take place. Have questions? Ask me anything!

  • Depression External link

    Depression is both a specific diagnosis, as well as a good way to describe a mental and emotional experience. My emphasis is on helping a person get through an experience and, although I am very comfortable with working with Major Depressive Disorder and I'm familiar with medications and treatment, I might de-emphasize the diagnostic label to focus on your specific situation.

  • Abuse External link

    Counseling is often about looking inward, but it is essential that we also look to the very real injustices that occur in the world and our personal lived experiences. This concept is crucial to my work, and it's a huge part of why I deeply believe in an integrated approach rather than trying to fit clients into a specific counseling modality.

Contact Erik

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