Portland Therapy Center
Polly Gravely MS, LPC, MFT

Polly Gravely MS, LPC, MFT (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed in OR and WA

Hello, I'm Polly. I enjoy being a therapist, helping people evolve out of stuck situations and ways of being, into more fulfilling lives.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

5033885710

5319 SW Westgate Dr.

Suite 246

Portland, 97221

Teletherapy/Remote

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $180-$200

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2011

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

Being human is hard because life is uncertain. We all, at times, need an assist. Maybe you're low and you can't shake it. Maybe anxious thoughts keep you awake at night, over and over. Maybe you and your partner have arguments that never fully resolve and that connection you once had remains out of reach. I'm trained in attuning to the unconscious emotional patterns that constrict us. I've helped hundreds of people understand how and where they get stuck, and develop their agency to shift out.

My Background and Approach

I’m trained in relational dynamics with a specialty in Emotion Focused Therapy and differentiation. These skills help me track how people get stuck in rigid ways of relating, either with themselves -- such as stuck in loops of anxiety or depression -- or in how they relate with someone else – perhaps reactive patterns of criticism and defensiveness. We are all constantly in relationship, either with people around us, or with ourselves. We learn our patterns from our first family and typically repeat variations of the same pattern. I help by increasing your awareness about these relational patterns – internal and the external, to notice where there’s constriction and limitation, and why. When we have awareness, we can have positive change. Common issues I treat: Individuals: a self-critical voice that creates defeat; a fearful inner voice that undermines confidence. Couples: codependency, disconnection, reactivity, unhealthy conflict or avoidance of it, discrepancy of sexual desire.

Why I Became a Therapist

Twenty something years ago I worked as a reporter in the US Senate in Washington D.C. Every day I had to find and report a story and it was typically related to conflict and clearly dysfunctional. I moved to Portland and retrained as a therapist. These days I have such a meaningful career helping people out of stuck places, and often sorting through conflict to resolution! There is a way through and it begins with understanding. I listen to what's underneath people's words, below the reactive emotions, and support growth into a more integrated, empowered life.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Couples Counseling External link

    My degree (M.S. in Marriage and Family Counseling) is specifically focused on relational dynamics and I have extensive training in couples' work. I can help you understand how your relationship ran into trouble and how to find the way back again.

  • Coaching External link

    I use the PRINT Survey assessment to enhance understanding of the way people react and how they relate by explaining the “why” behind their behavior – - why people act as they do - why they make certain choices - why they are attracted to certain things - why they function better in certain situations than others Everyone has core motivations that drive their actions and behaviors. PRINT® reveals what these motivators are and in doing so, clarifies people need.

  • Emotionally Focused External link

    Emotion-Focused Therapy is my primary modality. It's an approach that guides people underneath words, actions, and reactive secondary emotions, to underlying primary emotions, which are frequently out of awareness. I know how to listen to these underlying feelings and help people tune in so they understand what's really the problem and what they really need.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Self-Esteem External link

    Most of us have an inner critical voice that keeps us in line, but for some of us that voice is punishing. Maybe your inner voice tells you that you're not good enough, that you look bad, and flings other criticisms at you. It's hard to live with a voice like that. I work to listen, to understand, and gradually shift this voice so that it trusts you, takes its right place, and works in support of you.

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    My foundation as a therapist is all relational. When we are stuck in ourselves, we are stuck in our relationships, and vice versa. I have a lot of specific trainings in couples work to help open up emotional dynamics so that places that feel tight, restricted and even hopeless can begin to open and change.

  • Anxiety External link

    Life is always happening to us and it can feel overwhelming. We may want to get some control of things, but we can't so the anxiety escalates. I can help you reduce the symptoms, and develop an awareness about the anxiety so that gradually it softens and you have more agency in life.

  • Depression External link

    Life is full of ups and downs, we live that all the time, but sometimes life can feel too much and hopeless. I can assist you using a combination of symptom relief and self-exploration so that gradually the sadness can lift and you are better able to cope.

Contact Polly

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