Portland Therapy Center
Shira Klazmer

Shira Klazmer (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC, EMDRIA Certified

I'm a high-masking, AuDHD therapist. I am direct, warm, funny, relational, and enjoy building genuine and deep therapeutic relationships.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

512-364-0167

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At a Glance

Me

Rate: $185

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2020

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

I work with women and non-binary adults ages 18+. I tend to attract those with later-in-life diagnosed (or self-diagnosed) Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and general Neurodivergent minds. Those who recognize their minds differ from societal norms, have sensory sensitivities, and may feel most of their lives that they are "different", "too sensitive", or simply misunderstood. I also work with clients who have complex childhood trauma and are ready to rewrite their story.

My Approach to Helping

I am not the therapist you will feel you "just talk at" for an hour and leave. I'm forward, direct, engaged, and attuned. I utilize therapeutic foundations from EMDR, feminist theory, attachment theory, parts work, re-parenting the inner child, existentialism, somatic work, mindfulness, deconstructing societal norms, and more. I help clients focus on the emotions and feelings behind their struggles, which are often hidden deeper within, and may stem from early childhood experiences. Locating these true emotions, and asking ourselves where they stem from, often provide us with the answers we need. I'm a relational therapist -- I find developing a healthy bond with my clients a necessary part of the process. I am direct and forward (blunt at times), yet warm. I hold my clients accountable to themselves, yet I laugh along with them when bizarre situations arise in their journey (as they always do). I cater my approach to each individual client and adapt as needed.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe humans are meant to connect, to feel seen, to feel heard, and to feel important. I believe in the power of sharing space with one person on a consistent basis and healing attachment wounds through the therapeutic relationship. I believe the ethical and professional boundaries that exist for therapists set the stage for us to build a relationship with you that has proper boundaries in place for healthy healing to occur. I see my role as a deep honor and I feel it is something I do very naturally. My recipe of sensitivity, quirkiness, humor, directness, wisdom, challenge, and guidance create a space for growth for each client I work with. I want you to feel seen, and I believe you deserve to be deeply attuned with. I go to therapy myself and prioritize self-awareness, growth, and room for improvement. In my spare time, I enjoy pottery, hiking, reading, TV shows, and anything that makes me laugh (which is a wide variety). I have two pups: Poppy and Roo.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Attachment Theory External link

    My mind works in attachment theory. I struggle to see any person without considering their family of origin attachments and upbringing influence on the person they have become. Looking into your childhood gives us insight into the workings of your habits, your reactions, your assumptions, and more. I enjoy guiding clients through exploring their own attachment patterns.

  • EMDR External link

    I'm EMDR Certified, which means I've done further training beyond basic EMDR training. I've done ongoing consultation and training to earn my Certification. I also do ongoing continuing education and consultation to maintain my certification level.

  • Eclectic External link

    I consider myself an Eclectic therapist because I combine a variety of other modalities. In addition to Attachment theory and EMDR, I pull from feminist theory, existential, somatic, parts work (similar to Internal Family Systems), and more. I also like to note that I am NOT a behavioral therapist (things like CBT or DBT), although I do think those theories have a place. I'm very relational in my work and happy to explain more about that in a consultation.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Autism External link

    I am AuDHD (ADHD + Autism) myself and have lived experience of high-masking, late-discovered Autism throughout my lifespan. I have done (and continue to seek) further training and research on this area as well. The majority of my clientele are high-masking Neurodivergent individuals.

  • ADHD External link

    I am AuDHD (ADHD + Autism) myself and have lived experience of high-masking, late-discovered Autism throughout my lifespan. I have done (and continue to seek) further training and research on this area as well. The majority of my clientele are high-masking Neurodivergent individuals.

  • PTSD External link

    I am a trauma-informed therapist with advanced training in EMDR. I am EMDR Certified and pursue ongoing continuing education, consultation, and training in this area. I utilize EMDR and other approaches to gently assist clients in working through trauma. I also work with a lot of CPTSD clientele and work with a lot of trauma from masking as a Neurodivergent individual in a Neurotypical world.

  • Personal Growth External link

    My main focus with clients is a range of personal growth. I enjoy doing identity work (exploring who you actually are, maybe for the first time ever) that involves taking off the hats and roles and identities that have been projected onto you from society, family, culture, and environment. Then getting to know who you are at your core. I utilize parts work, attachment exploration, and trauma work in navigating this.

  • Adjustment Disorder External link

    Many clients tend to seek me out when they are going some sort of major life adjustment. That could be related to career change, family conflict (or some new realization about family), a breakup, a new mental health diagnoses or chronic health issue, a move to a new city, or something else. I enjoy joining clients on this journey and assisting in helping them recalibrate and find a balance within their nervous system.

Contact Shira

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