Portland Therapy Center
Sarah Voruz

Sarah Voruz

Clinical Psychologist

*Please note: Unfortunately my schedule and waitlist are currently full. Please check back in the future to see if I have availability*

Client Status

not accepting clients

Contact

971-377-8762

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $145-$165

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2009

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Aetna
  • PacificSource
  • Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield

My Approach to Helping

Working from a contemporary Gestalt therapy orientation, I help my clients increase self awareness to give them more choices in their lives and address both short- and long-term issues. Creating a safe and trusting relationship with my clients is of the utmost importance so that my clients can explore themselves and confront the obstacles to making changes in their lives. I also aim to facilitate a lively therapeutic process by focusing on the present moment, offering creative experiments to try out new ways of being, and connecting the dots to provide a bigger picture understanding of how our past influences the present. I find that emotions are an important part of the puzzle, being the vehicle through which we process previous experiences and identify current needs. I see myself as a guide to assist my clients in removing the barriers to knowing themselves deeply and living authentically. We all have the inner wisdom needed to heal and thrive and I'd love to help you rediscover it.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I graduated from Pacific University's School of Professional Psychology with my doctorate in clinical psychology in 2013, where I completed practica involving general practice, domestic violence, and working with college students. Both my thesis and dissertation focused on self-compassion, which I find to be an essential tool for those who struggle with low self-worth or are very hard on themselves. I also focus on bodily experience because I believe that the mind and body are closely connected and problems in one often creates problems in the other. I particularly enjoy working with people on finding their identity, navigating transitions, developing life-affirming death awareness, and enriching relationships. I also strive to help people integrate significant experiences, whether it's trauma, existential awakenings, or psychedelic journeys.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Holistic External link

    My approach gives special attention to the fact that you are more than just a brain. Emotional issues live in our body, and physical issues can affect us emotionally.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    A big focus in Gestalt Therapy is the present moment. My training in this orientation helps me focus my clients on experiencing, rather than interpreting. I have a meditation practice of my own as well as done retreats.

  • Gestalt External link

    I have trained for 7 years with the Gestalt Therapy Training Center - NW. In addition to my clinical training, I was on the planning committee to organize the conference The State of the Art of Gestalt Therapy that happened in Portland in October 2015. I also organize meetings for the Portland Gestalt Community.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Personal Growth External link

    Many people come to me for help managing symptoms, but our work often eventually transforms into helping people not only survive life, but thrive. I invite reflection on the finite reality of life and the importance of identifying what's important to you to feel like you have lived it well.

  • Men's Issues External link

    Through my work at Allies in Change, I came to understand how the societal expectation that boys 'toughen up' and hide their emotions can lead to a host of difficulties as an adult, including depression, unfulfilling relationships, substance abuse, and other ineffective coping strategies. My training and experience has taught me how to help men reconnect with themselves and others.

  • Self-Esteem External link

    I believe that we can only have good relationships with others if we first have a good relationship with ourselves. Through research, training, and my own growth work, I have a rich understanding of some of the common ways we lose our connection to ourselves and how to get it back.

  • PTSD External link

    I primarily work with people who may not recognize trauma in their history, but were impacted on a foundational level from chronic invalidating or neglectful experiences growing up. The ripples this has into adulthood are vast and I offer long-term work to heal wounds that prevented the development of identity, healthy self-esteem, and a trust in oneself and others to meet one's needs.

  • Depression External link

    Though depression is a common term, the roots and felt experience of each person living with depression are very different. I have worked with a lot of people with depression and my Gestalt therapy orientation provides an excellent path to understand where each person's depression comes from and what they need to heal it.

Contact Sarah

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