Heather Ackles (she/her/hers)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

What Parts take center-stage? Does your Manager Part guilt-trip as your FireFighter Part advocates for escape via non-stop media scrolling, a Netflix binge, or gaming? I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist - our sessions use Internal Family Systems to connect with Protector Parts and Exiled Parts - which may connect with trauma, family history, broken relationships, fears of failure, and being alone. Interested? Reach out + my website has articles on IFS Parts

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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. (Aligned with SELF.)

Gottman Method

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.)

ADHD

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

Dealing with relationship 'upheaval'? Whether you are going through divorce, dating, 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 connecting with your values - inspiring ideas, strength, and doing what matters when it comes to relationships and your SELF.

Insomnia

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

I am familiar with ways trauma can integrate within our lives - and the way trauma differs within all of us. I have experience working with trauma survivors - including: abuse, events, injury. While at Central City Concern in Portland, I created/facilitated the THINK B.I.G. Brain Injury Group for Brain Injury Survivors. I was board member of Brain Injury Connections NorthWest - and collaborate with Center for Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) & provide Brain Injury education.

Compassion Fatigue

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 helping individuals personally define work/life balance - and connecting with what they NEED.