Portland Therapy Center
Micah Hala

Micah Hala

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

As a therapist, I will guide your self-exploration through the lens of authentic presence, understanding and patience.

Client Status

not accepting clients

Contact

503-498-8061

1135 SE Salmon St., Suite 204

Portland, 97214

Email

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $125-$175

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2015

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

As humans, we have the ability to acquire new skills and tools that can expand our ability to meet challenges intentionally and successfully. We are wired for connection and find meaning in being in relationship with others, as well as with ourselves. My goal is to assist you in developing skills that allow you to build an unconditional friendship with yourself. This, in turn, allows you to tap into your confidence, resiliency and strength—to not just survive, but to thrive.

My Background and Approach

I find great value in tuning into the experience of others, and I strive to offer unconditional acceptance, regardless of what anyone brings to therapy. I will guide your self-exploration and therapy process through the lens of authentic presence, patience and understanding. My therapeutic work is influenced by body-centered, mindfulness-based psychotherapy, and contemplative psychotherapy. I support individuals with trauma and utilize a trauma-informed, mindfulness and relational lens to address the unique challenges traumatized clients face. My skillset also includes history of working as a crisis counselor, supporting individuals during mental health crises. I offer a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit to work together.

My Values as a Therapist

As a queer identified, non-binary, trans-masculine person, and an immigrant, I value the importance of viewing people within a cultural, social and racial context, and to that end, aspire to exhibit great sensitivity, care, and respect in understanding the ways in which people come to make sense of their experiences. I welcome diversity in all forms, am able to engage in dialogue around the idea of difference, and am willing to have challenging conversations, advocating for the rights of others. I work with the LBGTQ clients to support them in their unique challenges. As a Buddhist practitioner for almost a decade, I am influenced by the view that all human beings are complete and inherently worthy. This view informs not only how I engage with clients, but also how I interact with the world altogether. I am certified as a meditation instructor and can also offer the tools of meditation to those interested in adding mindfulness/awareness practice to their toolbox for life.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Relational  External link

    My work is informed by the importance of human relationships, as well as the relationship we have with ourselves and I bring this into my work as a therapist. Human beings are at their nature relational beings and the place we thrive the most is in relationships with others. I strive to help clients to create and maintain healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    Mindfulness-based therapy teaches mindfulness skills to help individuals live and behave in ways consistent with personal values while developing psychological flexibility. Acceptance of things as they come, without evaluating or attempting to change them, is a skill developed through mindfulness exercises in and out of session.

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    Body centered therapy emphasizes the importance of the mind/body connection. Often, we forget to simply “be” present in our bodies. By tuning into our body, we can learn how to inhabit the full spectrum of our human experience and let our body be an ally to our journey of healing, by simply listening to its wisdom.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Gender Identity External link

    As a queer identified, non-binary person, it is important to me to offer gender affirming therapy to those navigating their gender identity and are exploring their gender. I have experience with working with young adults as well as adults who are questioning their gender, going through gender transition or those who simply need a safe and supportive space to talk about life as a trans, gender non-confirming person. My experience includes academic training as well as my personal experience.

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    Individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning sometimes face challenges unique to the LGBTQ community. I strive to provide an open, safe and affirming space to those who are coming to therapy to talk about the challenges that are directly related to their identity as a queer, trans or non-binary person.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    Loss and grief touches all of us in various degrees. Both are part of our experience of being a human being and are not avoidable. In my work with those who are working with grief and loss, I allow space for all and any emotion to come forward and be explored and strive to create provide a safe and compassionate space to do this work. After all, compassion is a relationship between equals.

  • PTSD External link

    Most people are familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that results from a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or car accident. Most people with trauma-related problems have experienced multiple traumas. The term, complex trauma, describes exposure to multiple traumas. It also refers to the impacts of that exposure.

Contact Micah

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