Ken Steinbacher (they/them)

My Approach to Helping

I approach our work from a narrative therapy perspective. As its name implies, we will work on your story and how we define our lives through our learned history. Narrative therapy begins with the understanding that you are the expert on your life; my job is to help you look at that story. Life is hard and blame and shame are not a solution. I do not assign diagnoses unless a client finds it useful. This quote from Michael White, a founder of narrative therapy, encapsulates my stance: “The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.” You have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities… let’s explore those! Let’s be curious together. In our work, healing is often found in a new perspective or new understanding of the story we create to define who we are. My hope is that we can build an awareness of the systems around us and how they affect our perception and the tools to a continued experience of your authentic self.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I’ve lived in Portland for 25 years and love being a part of this community. I am a graduate of Portland State University with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and have completed internships at William Temple House and the PSU Community Counseling Clinic. I identify as a queer, nonbinary, white, able-bodied person and as such I know both privilege and marginalization and bring this to our work.. I have a background in fine arts and enjoy painting in my free time. I'm an avid hiker but think of myself as more the indoorsy type. I am a licensed professional counselor. My clinical focus includes gender and gender transition, sexuality, racial identity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and personal growth. I welcome people of all identities.