Sasha Swerdloff (she/her)

How I Can Help You

I can help you explore and understand where you get stuck in unhelpful patterns of interaction, uncover the emotions and needs that lead you to react in habitual ways, practice communicating and listening vulnerably, increase mutual respect and understanding, foster deeper connection, and learn to resolve conflict by leaning in instead of leaning out. I am a marriage and family student therapist at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. As part of my degree, I completed 12 months of clinical training at Oregon Pediatrics in Clackamas, OR and the Lewis and Clark Community Counseling Center. I have completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy through the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).

My Approach to Helping

As a therapist, I believe that change is always possible and that healing happens through new emotional experiences. My style is caring genuine, playful (and a little irreverent), hopeful, and direct, helping to create a space where you feel safe, understood, empowered, and challenged. I use the evidence based approach of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) paired with parts work and socio-emotional relationship therapy (SERT), to guide you as you explore attachment wounds, uncover core emotional experiences that shape your relationship dance, learn to accept your whole self, and foster mutual respect and understanding. As a person-centered therapist, I know you are doing your best with the tools you have and recognize the impact of context, power, and oppression on your mental and physical well-being. I also know that together we can transform suffering into more secure and resilient relationships. I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and social locations.