Portland Therapy Center
Erika Nelson

Erika Nelson (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

I specialize in helping deep feelers and thinkers heal and create transformation for themselves and their communities.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

3606720618

Portland, 97202

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $200

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2014

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Family
  • Group
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed with how to create the change you desire, feeling trapped by harmful patterns, worn down by the environmental or internal stressors that feel relentless, and care about your impact on this world? Do you want to feel relief, deeper connection, confidence, and profound shifts so that you can actualize your potential? Your not alone in your grappling with shame, anxiety, and overwhelm. The change you desire is possible, let's work towards it together!

My Approach to Helping

I provide a highly relational approach and collaborative container where real change happens. All of your emotions and intensity are welcome, and I can hold whatever you bring. By co-creating a place of deep acceptance we can create deep change. My style tends to be active, meaning I listen deeply AND challenge you to embrace your potential for meaningful transformation. I welcome your needs or feedback, which is part of a collaborative relationship. I pull from a deep well of practices to create an individualized holistic experience, while always working from an trauma-responsive lens. I strive to always practice and grow in anti-racism, liberation, intersectional and abolitionist ways of being. I have experience related to working with the Queer community, and people who experience Neurodivergence, disability, and many other intersections of identity. I never shy away from conversations about this and how it informs my work. Sessions are provided with Telehealth.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I spent most of my career as a therapist in community settings, advocating for and supporting youth and adults experiencing crisis, acute mental health needs, and system harm and disenfranchisement. I have been honored to support people as they have worked to untangle themselves, heal, and create meaningful change while actively experiencing chaos, harm caused by systems, and intergenerational cycles of trauma. My role has often focused on intervening during active crisis and quickly creating stabilization and ongoing change. The modalities I often pull from are intended to connect our mind, body, and spirit in order to support integration and sustained healing.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Holistic External link

    I use many modalities, theories and practices to create an individualized and holistic approach. Each person and situation is different. By using an individualized approach we can address many levels of functioning and work towards better integration and sustainability of the change we desire.

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    Connecting the mind, body and spirit can be essential in the healing and growth process. I utilize many somatic approaches in order to support better integration of the change we are trying to create. This can look very different and is individualized for the person and situation.

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy External link

    I have years of experience in working with intensive situations to create efficient stabilization. I am used to working with urgency and tight timelines to achieve results that are outcome focused.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Cultural and Systemic Oppression External link

    Unlearning harmful internalized patterns relearning different patterns is one of the most important tasks one can pursue to create transformation for ourselves and our world. I have worked for years with communities actively harmed by systems of oppression and am actively involved in personal and community development for healing and changing these systems. I work primarily with those socialized as white to support the lifelong work of unpacking how we perpetuate the harm caused to us by this.

  • Historical Trauma External link

    Most of my experience as a therapist has been supporting people in active trauma, complex trauma, PTSD, and confronting historical, generational, and cultural trauma. I am experienced in supporting adults and adolescents on their journey to heal. I have many hours of continuing education in trauma specific treatment, and always practice with a trauma responsive lens.

  • Child or Adolescent Issues External link

    I have many years of experience working with youth and families in crisis, experiencing significant mental heath struggles, who are often experiencing system harm. I have worked with many youth who were hesitant about therapy, or have had negative experiences in the past. I am familiar with the unique challenges youth face and the unique services they deserve to support their healing and growth.

  • Suicidal Ideation External link

    Most of my experience is working with people in crisis and/or experiencing significant mental health systems. I am very familiar with working with people experiencing new or chronic suicidal ideation. I have training and experience around prevention, saftey planning, DBT, and other modalities used to address suicidal ideation.

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    I have experience and training in working with adolescents and adults to improve their relationships. Whether it is your partner(s), friend, parent...ect I help people deepen their connection, communication, navigate conflict, and understanding of themselves and others.

Contact Erika

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