Michael Pollet

Michael Pollet (he/him)

Social Worker

Graduate Intern

Supervisor: Karryn Swanson, LCSW

I welcome humor in therapy and offer a warm, judgment-free environment where you are safe to explore the uncomfortable.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

8662327328

2304 E Burnside Street

Portland, 97214

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $30-$50

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2024

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket

My Ideal Client

I work with people navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship challenges. Many of my clients describe feeling stuck in patterns they’re ready to break free from but aren’t sure how to start. Using a collaborative LifeMaps treatment plan, we explore how your past continues to shape your present so you can build awareness, uncover strengths, and begin to shift long-standing patterns.

How I Can Help You

Our work begins with building a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll uncover the unconscious conflicts and patterns maintaining your struggles and explore the underlying causes of your challenges. This process promotes the insight needed to interact more effectively with the world and develop strategies to manage the forces shaping your choices. My approach is rooted in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which values the full complexity of a person rather than focusing only on symptoms. This kind of work can be challenging, but it often brings lasting change. As insight grows, you begin to understand yourself more deeply and move through the world with a greater sense of choice and agency.

Why I am a Good Fit for You

My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to explore the uncomfortable. I welcome humor in therapy and offer a warm, steady, and judgment-free environment where we can navigate challenges together, uncover your strengths, and work toward meaningful change. My experience as a gay man raised in the South gives me a unique perspective on identity, family, and belonging. I understand how culture, expectations, and early relationships shape the way we see ourselves and relate to others. I bring this awareness into my work with clients from all backgrounds.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    The premise of psychodynamic therapy is making the unconscious (what is not readily in our awareness) conscious. The techniques of this modality help you gain insight into your inner processes and behaviors that you may not be consciously aware of. This process helps us become aware of patterns that occur in our behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and relationships. This theory also holds the belief that our past experiences greatly impact our current experiences and relationships.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Anxiety External link

    We will collaborate in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can freely share your thoughts and emotions. Together, we will explore and uncover the underlying causes of your anxiety, fostering deeper self-awareness. This insight will empower you to make intentional changes in your behaviors and emotional responses, helping to alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve your overall well-being over time.

  • Depression External link

    We will collaborate to uncover the emotional patterns and past experiences that may be shaping your current feelings. This process is not just about understanding but also about healing. By bringing these underlying dynamics into awareness, you can begin to untangle the weight of unresolved emotions, rediscover your inner strengths, and gradually move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    As a gay man, I bring lived experience to my work with people in the LGBTQIA+ community. We will examine the roots of shame, guilt, and other challenging emotions that may be tied to societal expectations, family dynamics, or past relationships. By uncovering these underlying patterns and the impact they have on your sense of self, we can work toward reducing the weight of these emotions.

Contact Michael

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