Portland Therapy Center
Michelle Sorensen

Michelle Sorensen (she/her)

Student Counselor

CMHCI

Supervisor: Bridget Saladino

Warm, affirming therapist grounded in neuroscience and relational work. LGBTQIA+ affirming. Helping people heal, grow, and connect.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-567-8510

1110 SE Alder St

Portland, 97214

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $50-$150

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2026

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Evernorth
  • Cigna

My Ideal Client

I work well with individuals and couples seeking deeper connection, healing, and self-understanding. Many of my clients are navigating relationship struggles, anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, life transitions, or the impacts of shame and marginalization. I especially value working with LGBTQIA+ clients, creatives, caregivers, and people longing to feel more authentic, connected, and emotionally understood in their lives and relationships.

My Approach to Helping

My approach is warm, collaborative, affirming, and grounded in both neuroscience and relational therapy. I believe people make sense in the context of their experiences, relationships, and nervous systems, and that meaningful change happens when we feel safe enough to explore ourselves honestly and compassionately. I draw from attachment-based, trauma-informed, mindfulness, relational, and experiential approaches, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs and goals. I value curiosity over judgment and strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, respected, and supported. Whether we are exploring relationship patterns, processing painful experiences, strengthening emotional regulation, or reconnecting with parts of yourself that have been hidden or silenced, therapy is a collaborative process. My hope is to help clients move toward greater self-understanding, resilience, authenticity, and connection in their lives and relationships.

Social Justice Issues I Care About

I care deeply about creating a more compassionate, equitable, and inclusive world. My work is informed by a feminist and social justice lens that recognizes how systems of oppression, discrimination, trauma, and marginalization impact mental health and relationships. I am especially passionate about LGBTQIA+ affirming care, body liberation and challenging weight stigma, racial and cultural humility, disability awareness, and supporting individuals whose identities or lived experiences have left them feeling unseen or unsafe. I believe therapy should honor the full humanity of each person while acknowledging the broader social and cultural contexts that shape their lives. I strive to create a space where clients feel respected, empowered, and able to explore themselves without fear of judgment, shame, or pressure to fit narrow societal expectations.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Anxiety External link

    I help clients better understand the ways anxiety affects their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and nervous systems. Anxiety can show up as overthinking, perfectionism, people-pleasing, panic, chronic worry, difficulty resting, or feeling constantly “on alert.” Together, we work to identify patterns, build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create greater safety and regulation within the body and mind. My approach is grounded in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma informed.

  • Women's Issues External link

    I work with women navigating relationship challenges, anxiety, caregiving stress, identity development, trauma, body image concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is grounded in a feminist, relational, and trauma-informed perspective that recognizes the impact of cultural expectations and gender roles on mental health. I strive to create a space where women feel deeply heard, respected, empowered, and free to explore themselves without judgment.

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    I work with individuals and couples navigating conflict, disconnection, communication struggles, betrayal, life transitions, and questions about intimacy, trust, or compatibility. Relationships can be both deeply meaningful and deeply painful. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in attachment and relational therapy, helping clients better understand patterns, strengthen communication, and build more secure, authentic, and connected relationships.

  • Bipolar External link

    I work with individuals living with bipolar disorder and understand the profound impact it can have on identity, relationships, and daily life. My understanding is informed by both clinical training and personal experience within my own family. I approach this work with compassion and without judgment, helping clients build self-awareness, strengthen coping and support systems, and move toward greater stability, resilience, and hope.

  • Obesity External link

    I work with clients navigating body image concerns, weight stigma, shame, disordered relationships with food or movement, and the emotional impact of living in a body that has been judged or marginalized. My approach is compassionate, non-shaming, and grounded in respect for body diversity and dignity.

Contact Michelle

Optional note (300 character limit). Please do not include sensitive medical information.