Portland Therapy Center
Heather Ackles

Heather Ackles (she/her/hers)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LCSW

Going through Divorce? Separation? Break-up? Therapy to Strengthen Intention and Empower Personal Growth.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-498-6879

97211

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $150-$180

Provides free initial consultation

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Aetna
  • First Choice Health
  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

'Was that too much?' 'What does that mean?' You re-read text threads and have lost faith in your ability to make decisions, fearing the repeat of past mistakes. Doubtful of your value and desirability, you prioritize the needs of others - and lose yourself in the process. You wonder if things will ever change and ask, "Are these even my choices? What am I protecting? Who am I trying to be in these relationships? What do I want?"

What I Specialize In

Relationships (breakups, separation, dating, divorce) bring up anxiety, regret, fear, depression and self-judgment - effecting the relationship we have with ourselves. Resentments, anger, and guilt - toward others and within ourselves - make us feel disconnected and alone. Our therapy sessions help you define what’s missing, unpack who you are, and figure out what you want. As a therapist, my aim is to help you reconnect with yourself. Everyone is different. Our expectations and ideals are influenced by family history, cultural expectations, and unique experiences. My therapeutic 'approach' helps you develop tools to define the relationships you want - and work through anxiety, past regrets, self doubt, negative self-image, and slowly dispose of the negative loud inner-monologue (which comes up, frequently, when trying to navigate the road ahead.)

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I’ve been on all sides of relationships. I am grateful to help people strengthen connection, grow confidence, and develop the foundation of who they are and want to be. Defining our core values is challenging - and yet, needed for empowering growth. As a therapist (and human being), I value barre, spin, dance, art, and music. I value therapy as a source of connection. All humans are interesting, complex, and different - similar to my love for music: Vivaldi (Four Seasons), Otis Redding, and HAIM. I am licensed in Oregon and Washington State. Interested in reaching out? Check out my webpage - or give me a call 503-498-6879.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) External link

    What Parts take center-stage in your mind? Does your Manager Part guilt-trip as your FireFighter Part advocates for escape via non-stop media scrolling, a Netflix binge, or gaming? Our sessions use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to connect with Protector Parts and Exiled Parts - which may connect with trauma, family history, broken relationships, fears of failure, and being alone. My website has articles on IFS Parts (ADHD and relationships) + training. I start Level 1 IFS training June 2025.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) External link

    What values do you stand by? How have your values changed over time? Where are you now- and where do you want to go from here? Do depression/anxiety blocks get in the way? Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a foundation therapy to outline roads and direction for ‘forward’ movement. Even bigger: ACT helps you define what ‘forward’ means to YOU. Our sessions use ACT to help you identify your values - delve into the core of who YOU are - and practice forward movement.

  • Gottman Method External link

    I work with individuals going through relationship life transitions (dating, marriage, and divorce) and openly talk about what comes up within relationship(s.) I have completed Gottman Level One and Level Two training - and provide Gottman tools for relationships within individual sessions (in addition to other methods which include Internal Family Systems (IFS) couples therapy tools.)

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • ADHD External link

    When you have ADHD various 'barriers' can stand in the way of work, due dates, and relationships. Our sessions allow you to open up, navigate limitations, recognize your strengths and creativity - developing growth. I have many tools for ADHD. My aim is to help you truly define what YOUR goals are, identify your sparks of motivation with specific tools that work for your ADHD. Want to connect? Reach out - I am a ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP).

  • Divorce External link

    In the midst of relationship upheaval? Whether you are going through divorce, dating, in the midst of a break-up, separation, or in the process of defining co-parenting needs - no relationship is the same. Our sessions help you discover how these challenges can be the foundation for opening your ability to define and practice your values - inspiring ideas, newfound strength, and doing what matters when it comes to relationships and your SELF.

  • Insomnia External link

    I am trained with CBT-I for insomnia and was the Facilitator/Creator of ReScript Nightmare Group - a closed group for those experiencing recurrent traumatic nightmares. I have experience/training with Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy (ERRT). I have many 'tools' in the toolbox to help people experiencing sleep difficulty and recurrent nightmares.

  • PTSD External link

    I have experience working with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors. I created/facilitated the THINK B.I.G. Brain Injury Group weekly Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) group for Brain Injury Survivors - and was board member of Brain Injury Connections NorthWest. I collaborate with Center for Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) & provide Brain Injury education. I am familiar with ways trauma integrates within our lives - and the therapeutic tools to broaden perspective.

  • Compassion Fatigue External link

    I have experience working with professionals who are amidst "compassion fatigue." (Very connected with 'burn-out') I facilitated the weekly Metropolitan Public Defender Engagement Group for lawyers/legal support staff - which specifically addressed compassion fatigue, a variety of difficulties within the work, as well as work/life balance (AKA: the lack of/guilt connected with work/life 'balance').

Contact Heather

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