Jen Dobie (She/Her)

My Approach to Helping

Through a somatic informed, body-centered approach, I don’t just listen to your story (and the many stories that reinforce your beliefs about yourself and the world). We’re also paying attention to the sensations you feel in your body and all the ways you move and hold yourself. This is how we begin to notice the stuff showing up in your life automatically and unconsciously. We’re looking for limiting patterns - the ones that keep you stuck, while also understanding these patterns likely formed as an attempt to cope with pain and discomfort. I believe healing happens in relationship - to parts of self, others and in community - and that how we feel in our bodies, our hearts, our minds and our spirit intersects with systems of power and oppression, culture, where we come from and how we identify and express ourselves within our lived experience.

Why I am a Good Fit for You

My work as a therapist is grounded in humanistic psychology, meaning I won’t see you as a problem to be solved, instead I tend to look at personal difficulties in light of new experiences that want to happen, just haven’t yet. I see the work as supporting you so the right kind of internal information becomes available, where together we experiment, look for limiting patterns and consider new insights and resources. I’ve been practicing clinical social work in hospitals, residential treatment centers, community mental health and private practice for over 10 years. I’ve worked in rural and remote Canadian territories, urban indigenous communities and here in Portland since 2017. I'm committed to integrity and a values-driven practice.