Portland Therapy Center
Sara Todd

Sara Todd (she/they)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

I work collaboratively with those who are deeply curious about themselves and wanting to get to the root of what troubles them.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

920-215-1254

Email

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $130-$185

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2013

Services

  • Individual
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

Clients who seek me out are tired of repeating old patterns and ready for something new to emerge in their lives. I am skilled in supporting people who have endured and overcome a wide range of stressful life events and challenges and who value living the examined life. Powerful and painful emotions such as sadness, fear, guilt or shame may rule over all your thoughts and actions. We will help you relate to your feelings in a new and deeper way allowing for more vitality and connection.

My Approach to Helping

My goal is to help you understand yourself and your life in a deeper way that holds all the complexity. I highly value humility, warmth, patience, and curiosity in this work. My commitment to you is providing a space where you can speak freely and openly and say the things that are the most difficult to say aloud. We'll support your increased awareness of the ways you see and understand yourself, your relationships and the world. Increased insight and connectedness with others can bring a greater sense of movement into your life. The therapy process takes time. We will work to understand who you are, what you’ve been through, and your deepest aspirations for life.

My Values as a Therapist

I highly value humility, kindness, patience, and curiosity in this work. Our work together will be grounded in non-judgmental curiosity, physical sensations and the body, your inherent wisdom and basic goodness, non-binary ways of knowing and being, your early life, and being with complexity and uncertainty. My commitment to you is providing a space free of judgment where you can speak freely and openly and say the things that are the most difficult to say aloud. I may challenge you, at times, to support your growth and development. My hope is that the therapeutic relationship we build together provides you with a sense of safety and support to be your authentic self. I radically welcome and affirm all the beautiful, unique, and diverse ways you may identify and express yourself. All genders, sexualities, relationship orientations, abilities, and body sizes are welcome! My practice is LGBTQ+ celebrating, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional feminist.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Psychoanalytic  External link

    After graduate school, I completed two years of advanced clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis in 2015. Prior to that, I participated in the fellowship program with the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute (2010-2011) and the fellowship program with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis (2011-2013).

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    After graduate school, I completed two years of advanced clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis in 2015. Prior to that, I participated in the fellowship program with the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute (2010-2011) and the fellowship program with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis (2011-2013).

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    I am a Buddhist and practice within both Tibetan and Zen traditions and have had a meditation practice for the last twenty years. I integrate mindfulness practices into my work with clients. This may include: noticing and attuning to physical sensations; slowing down and pausing during session in order to build tolerance for discomfort; self-compassion practices; noticing the role of the “inner critic” in your life; and recognizing and challenging unhelpful thought patterns.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Depression External link

    Depression has underlying, unconscious reasons for its existence. Together, we will figure out the root causes and bring about your innate capacity to heal. I have over fifteen years of experience working with folks who have struggled with depression. Oftentimes, depression is about unresolved grieving and anger turned towards the self. Therapy provides a path to properly mourn what's been lost and release anger that's been held in for too long.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    In our work together, your grieving will be accepted and seen for the natural and innate healing process that it is. Grieving is a necessary and transformational process that makes us human. We grieve because we’re attached. We love. We grieve. It measures the depth and intensity of our attachment and love for people, places, experiences, and other living beings.

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    Prior to working in mental health, I spent many years within LGBTQ rights movements. I care deeply about the impact of social injustice and trans-homophobia on your mental health. I identify as queer and agender/non-binary. I radically welcome and affirm all the beautiful and diverse ways you may identify and express yourself.

  • Spirituality External link

    Sometimes, the meditation cushion isn’t enough. Your meditation practice has benefited your life in profound ways, yet you’re needing more to address psychological wounds. I’ve been practicing meditation since 2002 when I was drawn to Buddhist teachings on kindness and compassion. I now identify as Buddhist and currently practice within both Tibetan and Zen traditions. I believe that the work of personal healing and transformation is the work of creating a more enlightened society.

  • Chronic Pain or Illness External link

    My treatment approach pays close attention to the body. Trauma shows up in the body– how we move and feel, illness, and physical symptoms. This may show up as fatigue or chronic pain. My approach will emphasize physical sensations, feelings, and emotions with the goal of processing trauma that’s stored in the body. The body has its own language and this is also driven by what’s unconscious.

Contact Sara

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