Portland Therapy Center
Sierra Sanchez

Sierra Sanchez (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

Helping you navigate the rougher terrain of life with authenticity, grounded compassion, and collaboration.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-420-5914

5901 S Macadam Ave Suite 100

Portland, 97239

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $200-$250

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2017

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Aetna
  • MODA
  • Providence Health Plan
  • Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield
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My Ideal Client

I specialize in walking alongside people through some of life’s heaviest seasons. Whether you are moving through the weight of profound grief, healing from past trauma, or feeling drained by burnout and major life shifts, you don't have to carry it alone. Together, we can quiet the internal noise of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt that leaves you feeling like you’re "never doing enough," creating a safe, grounded space to process at your own pace.

My Background and Approach

I firmly believe that therapy works best when it is a true partnership built around mutual trust, respect, and safety within the therapeutic alliance. My approach is evidence-based, integrative, and collaborative, meaning it is attuned to your unique needs rather than relying solely on a rigid, manualized protocol. I draw heavily from Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Existential perspectives. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of serving diverse populations across a wide variety of settings, including outpatient mental health clinics, group practices, inpatient psychiatric units, emergency departments, veterans hospitals, trauma ICUs, and correctional facilities. This broad experience has given me a deep, grounded calm in the face of complex distress; meaning whatever you bring to our sessions, I can handle it alongside you.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that deep healing happens when we cultivate self-compassion, honor our authentic selves, and reconnect with our core values. Therapy isn't about "fixing" you; it's about helping you remember who you are beneath the stress, loss, and self-doubt. My greatest hope for our work together is that you feel encouraged to show up authentically and fully supported in safely exploring the ways life’s adversities have left you feeling stuck. Ultimately, I want you to walk away from therapy with a deeper sense of purpose and alignment with your values, as well as practical, lasting strategies to help you navigate future challenges for years to come. Outside of the therapy room, I focus on staying grounded and intentional. You can usually find me hiking, spending time in nature with my dog, strength training, or exploring new places through travel.

Techniques I Use

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Loss or Grief External link

    Navigating loss is a deeply personal journey, and I enjoy helping guide clients through it. As a Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP), my care is grounded in specialized training through Grief Treatment: Current Evidence-Based Approaches to Care Across the Lifespan. Supporting grieving individuals is a genuine passion of mine, so I continuously pursue ongoing learning to offer you the most current, effective, and compassionate support possible.

  • PTSD External link

    Completing Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) training, combined with extensive experience treating PTSD across VA Medical Center trauma teams, inpatient units, and outpatient clinics, has honed my expertise in trauma care.

  • Anxiety External link

    When anxiety fuels spiraling worry or harsh self-criticism, finding calm requires a targeted approach. I combine training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) (certified Sept. 2025) and Dr. Catherine Pittman’s Applied Neuroscience for Treating Anxiety, Panic, and Worry to give you practical, brain-based tools. Together, we’ll work to quiet the noise, regulate high emotional sensitivity, and build actionable strategies that restore lasting peace of mind.

  • Depression External link

    My work in mood improvement is backed by intensive training and certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (certification completed 2022). By combining actionable behavioral strategies with cognitive reframing, I guide you in breaking free from low motivation, transforming self-critical thinking, and building a foundation for long-term emotional well-being.

Contact Sierra

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