Portland Therapy Center
Liz Ward

Liz Ward (they/them)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Supervisor: Sasha Strong, PhD, LPC

Relational and individual therapist for adults specializing in non-monogamy, kink/BDSM, relationships, LGBTQIA+ issues, and gender identity.

Client Status

waitlist

Contact

610 SW Alder St

Portland, 97205

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $185-$215

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2021

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Aetna
  • MODA
  • OHP CareOregon/HealthShare
  • PacificSource
  • Providence Health Plan
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My Ideal Client

In my practice, I have focused on working with clients who are navigating LGBTQIA+ issues, gender identity, transgender and nonbinary identity, queer identity, non-monogamy/polyamory, kink/BDSM, sex and sexuality, asexuality, geekiness/nerdiness, religious trauma, neurodivergence, autism, relational and family trauma, anxiety, and depression. I work with couples/polycules and individuals who are 18 years and older.

How I Can Help You

On my journey to become a therapist, I received a BS in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University and a MA in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College in Portland. Since then, I have continued my education by taking classes focusing on transgender and nonbinary care, sex and sexuality, non-monogamy, and religious trauma. I am a Certified Therapeutic Dungeon Master through Geek Therapeutics, and am DBT Trained. While I use some elements of DBT when appropriate, I also draw from other modes of therapy such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment therapy. My practice is grounded in somatic, mindfulness, emotional, and experiential components.

My Approach to Helping

Therapy is a place where a person is provided the space to create change and growth in their emotional and mental wellbeing, which with time, can extend to other areas of their life. I believe that this is possible through fostering a therapeutic relationship where one feels safe to explore all the pieces of themself. As a therapist, I believe in the connection between our bodies and minds, and in allowing new experiences to propel growth. My work is grounded in queer theory, awareness of systemic injustice, and trauma-informed care. As a non-binary, queer, non-monogamous, white, and invisibly disabled person, I aim to understand all the parts of your identity and how they may show up in your life. I seek to understand you as best as possible knowing that you are a unique person with a depth of life experience that has led you to where you are today.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) External link

    I am DBT Trained and integrate aspects of DBT into therapy as appropriate. I find DBT helpful in navigating challenges with emotional distress, emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and foundational skills that can help create a baseline to engage in life from.

  • Couples Counseling External link

    One of the reasons I decided to be a therapist was to work with couples, especially folks who are non-monogamous, knowing that there is not enough support for ENM and polyamorous people. I spent much of my graduate studies along with education afterwards focusing on how to help people develop relationships that work for them.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships External link

    Relationships don't always fit the story our society has taught us to expect. I come from the perspective that relationships work best when they can be defined and agreed upon by the people within them, and I aim to help you explore what that would look like for you.

  • Gender Identity External link

    Gender is a complex and nuanced spectrum of experience. It is different for everyone, and worth examining to understand better. Exploration of gender identity is for everyone - you don't have to be transgender to explore your gender identity!

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    Relationships are hard! It is completely normal to have ebbs and flows in our relationships, especially if they are long-term. Just because it's normal to hit rough patches doesn't mean it's easy to navigate. I am here to help you navigate next steps in your relationship, whether that is making conscious and intentional efforts towards staying in your relationship, or even if it means ending the relationship altogether.

  • Sexual Problems External link

    Sexuality can be challenging to navigate, especially considering the things we have learned (or that we didn't) about what sexuality means for us as individuals. Our sexuality is linked to so many aspects of our experience. I can help you gently sort through all these layers and understand how the things you learned have impacted you today so that you can engage in your sexuality in a way that feels best for you.

Contact Liz

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