Portland Therapy Center
Miki Darby

Miki Darby (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

I offer individual counseling and social communication skills training + performance enhancement support for youths 12+ and adults.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

5039269457

9 Monroe Parkway

Lake Oswego, 97035

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $200-$250

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2007

Languages: English, 日本語

Services

  • Individual
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Aetna
  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

Do you feel overwhelmed by racing thoughts, restless energy, or social anxiety? Living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, anxiety, or social challenges can be exhausting and isolating. You don’t have to struggle alone. My practice focuses on providing counseling support for people experiencing depression, anxiety, social skills, and/or cultural adjustments. In therapy, we will collaborate to focus on symptom relief and skill-building for long-term growth.

My Approach to Helping

I work from a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-aware framework. That means I don’t pathologize what are often natural human responses to overwhelming environments. Instead, I aim to understand the context - social, cultural, sensory, historical - that shapes your inner and outer world. This might involve exploring how masking, burnout, or chronic invalidation have impacted your sense of self. It might mean unpacking the quiet grief of not having been supported earlier in life, or the relief (and uncertainty) that can come with newly and/or late-diagnosed autism or ADHD. It often involves helping people feel less alone with their experiences. You may have felt that your sensitivity, intensity, or way of processing the world is “too much.” I see those qualities as deeply human—and often deeply valuable. Therapy with me is a space where those parts of you are welcome.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe everyone deserves to be understood on their own terms, not just through a clinical lens. I’m committed to maintaining spaces where people can be and accept their true selves, and exist without needing to justify their way of being. I value authenticity, quiet resilience, and the deep intelligence that comes from lived experience. Culturally sensitive care matters deeply to me. That means respecting how identity, history, and context shape our stories and how trust is earned, not assumed. I work to acknowledge power, hold nuance, and meet each person with humility. I love exploring identity, creativity, and the things we were told were “too much” but are often our greatest strengths. Outside of work, I’m drawn to music, visual storytelling, and finding beauty in small, ordinary things.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    I use a psychodynamic approach to explore how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and inner conflicts influence present behavior. I believe that understanding the deeper roots of emotional struggles can lead to lasting change. My work is collaborative, focusing on building insight, fostering self-awareness, and strengthening emotional resilience. I believe this approach helps clients understand themselves better and create healthier ways of relating to others and the world.

  • Eclectic External link

    I take an eclectic approach to therapy, tailoring techniques to fit each individual's needs. Drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities - such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and humanistic practices - I create a flexible, personalized treatment plan. This allows me to work with you in the way that resonates most, whether that’s through exploring past experiences, building new coping skills, or enhancing self-awareness and personal growth.

  • Holistic External link

    I believe in treating the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. My holistic approach integrates emotional, physical, and environmental factors to help you achieve balance and wellbeing. I draw from diverse techniques like mindfulness, somatic awareness, and stress-reduction practices, focusing on the interconnectedness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My goal is to support you in nurturing your overall health and fostering sustainable, meaningful change.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Depression External link

    I support youth and adults living with depression, whether it feels like exhaustion, numbness, irritability, or quiet disconnection. I offer a space where there’s no need to perform or explain away your pain. My approach is gentle, relational, and grounded in honoring what your mind and body have been carrying. Together, we work toward relief, reconnection, and a life that feels more possible.

  • Anxiety External link

    I help youth and adults navigate anxiety with compassion and curiosity, not pressure. Whether it shows up as overthinking, people-pleasing, shutdowns, or physical overwhelm, I offer support that’s paced, nonjudgmental, and tailored to how you experience it. I focus on nervous system awareness, practical tools, and the deeper work of understanding what your anxiety has been trying to protect.

  • ADHD External link

    I support ADHDers in navigating overwhelm, burnout, and systems that weren’t designed for how their brains work. My approach is strengths-based and shame-free, recognizing the emotional toll of masking, RSD, and chronic self-doubt. I integrate practical support with validation and work with both diagnosed and self-identified clients.

  • Autism External link

    I work with autistic youth and adults—especially those who are late-identified, self-diagnosed, or exploring their identity. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-aware, honoring sensory needs, communication differences, and the impact of being misunderstood. I support self-discovery, self-trust, and creating lives that feel safe, authentic, and sustainable.

  • Personal Growth External link

    I support youth and adults in their journey of personal growth, helping them build confidence, resilience, and authentic self-expression. With specialized training in the UCLA PEERS program, I work with individuals to develop strong social skills, improve relationships, and navigate challenging transitions. My approach is grounded in self-compassion, practical tools, and empowering clients to align with their true values and potential.

Contact Miki

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