Heather Lokteff

Relational 

Our therapeutic relationship is the most important predictor of success in therapy. My main focus is creating a collaborative environment where you feel heard, validated, and have a safe space to express your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. You are the expert of you! Together we can move towards having more connection, vulnerability and authenticity in your relationships and inner peace.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy aims to become more cognitively flexible, more engaged in the present, take committed action steps towards change, and become more connected to your personal values. It centers around finding ways to live more intentionally in the moment and act in ways that are more helpful to yourself.

Emotionally Focused

Emotion Focused Therapy is an attachment-based therapy that can be used for couples as well as individuals. EFT focuses on becoming more aware of emotions and learning to label, allow, experience, transform, and regulate emotions. For couples, EFT helps to create a more secure bond between partners and shifts interactions and dynamics in a more positive, affirming direction.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, we take a look at how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors interact and effect one another. It helps identify unhealthy ways of thinking and replace them with more beneficial thoughts that are in our own best interest. You’ll learn tools to practice outside of session in a practical, helpful way.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

I am a Level 1 trained IFS therapist. IFS conceptualizes individuals as having a system of "parts" within themselves. You might have an "inner critic" part of yourself, for example, that has held onto extreme beliefs that try to manage you. IFS is an experiential therapy that is designed to have your "Self" identify different parts of you that may be holding onto burdens and hurts from the past and build relationships with these parts to lead to healing and self-understanding.

Personal Growth

Focusing on your own personal growth can be an exciting and insightful time. If you're wanting to pause and reflect, be more intentional with your time, and focus on personal goals, now is the time to make changes and therapy can help! It’s some of my favorite kind of work with clients.

Adjustment Disorder

Adjusting to a major life change? I work with clients who have recently moved to the Portland area, are going through a relationship break-up or divorce, experiencing career changes, becoming a new parent or empty-nester, or graduating college.

Anxiety

Most of us have some degree of anxiety, so you’re not alone! For some it can be debilitating or take control of your mind. I work with my clients on processing situations both past and present that create anxiety and identify skills to shift mindsets, be more relaxed, and be more connected to the present instead of feeling highjacked by anxiety.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

I work with couples who are wanting to increase their sense of vulnerability, partnership and security with one another. I also work with couples who are blending families and navigating being previously divorced. I use Emotion-Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method as well as my personal experiences to inform my practice.

Abuse

I have experience working with individuals who have left abusive situations or have experienced childhood abuse. I am Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained. I work with individuals who are processing past hurts and reconnecting with a sense of safety and a calmer nervous system. Early in my career I worked with children in foster care and the DHS system as a play therapist. I feel my work with children informs me daily in my work with adults who have experienced abuse as a child.