Portland Therapy Center
Paula Emerick

Paula Emerick (she/they)

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

LMFT

Hey y'all! Yup..that's me, a horse and 2 goats. I invite you to reach out if you'd like to do this therapy thing together. You are fabulous.

Client Status

waitlist

Contact

107 SE Washington Street

Suite 470

Portland, 97214

Email

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $120-$200

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2012

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Family
  • Relationship
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • MODA

My Approach to Helping

At your most vulnerable time, you need someone who will hold a safe space for you to approach your edges - the parts of us we tend to avoid or neglect. Addressing our 'issues' is intensely brave and can also be terrifying! So I commend you for embarking on this journey and invite you to call me if my words resonate with your needs.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I have worked with folx in intimate relationships (poly/open and monog) and all kinds of friend/family combinations for over 15 years. I believe in co-creating safe therapeutic space to unravel and challenge deep rooted beliefs/dynamics/meanings/identities to foster new ways of understanding and connection. My specialties include attachment, relationship dynamics (couples, poly, open, kink), lgbtq identity, sex work, family of origin, mental health, recovery and addiction, and healing from trauma.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Emotionally Focused External link

    It's not as fluffy as it sounds. I believe in it. It works. But it goes deep. In a nutshell - integrating emotional understanding with intellectual meaning and attending to the body while creating a trusting relationship with me working from the foundation of attachment. Wow. That's quite a sentence, Paula! Or just google it. ;)

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships External link

    Oh snap. Welcome to the world of possibility and also crazy emotions! But for real....I like to start with what needs to be unlearned and what might be holding you back individually before jumping into the realm of expectations/boundaries/etc. Again - I do not claim to be an expert...and I am also VERY willing to navigate areas that promote honesty, connection, authenticity, and trust.

  • Drug Dependence / Abuse / Addiction External link

    I am a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and I was a Family Therapist at 2 treatment facilities in the Portland area for 3 years. Currently I am an Addictions Specialist at a Mental Health Agency downtown and I also practice the CRAFT Model (Community Reinforcement & Family Training), working with families who have a loved one using substances.

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    Personally, I identify as a 'faggy dyke' and I've been a loud and proud member of queer communities in Detroit, Ann Arbor, San Francisco, and Portland since the 90s. Clinically, I have worked with queer, poly, and kink folks for six years. I don't claim to be an expert, but I feel at home outside of the box.

Contact Paula

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