Individual and Relationship Therapist
Philosophy and Approach: I believe that mental health concerns primarily arise out of experiences of disconnection – whether that be disconnection with ourselves, our communities, our values, or our emotions. Similarly, I see pain as part of the human experience, and that numbing or avoiding our pain can frequently cause additional suffering. In many ways, I view therapy as the work of connection – how to become more authentic and present with our relationships, our experiences, and our sense of meaning. By cultivating this greater presence and authenticity, we can better understand the impact of oppressive systems in our lives and communities. We can develop this awareness to help us move towards personal and collective healing and liberation.   

The work we do together will be a collaborative process. I do not view myself as an expert, but rather as someone who is honored to walk alongside you on your journey. I view my role as one where I assist you in pursuing your personal vision of wellness. I approach this work with the understanding that our personal histories, cultures, identities, and the systems that we live in all inform our relationship to ourselves and each other. As such, I prioritize understanding how your various identities and experiences contribute to the complexity of your unique being. I also practice being aware of how my identities and privileges inform my worldview. I aim to create a space where you feel safe, cared for, respected, and welcomed as your whole self.  

Sliding Scale Fee Structure: Owls’ Nest North is committed to making services accessible to everyone regardless of ability to pay. We seek to catch those who fall through the cracks of care in our current system. My sliding scale is determined by the current fee schedule of Owls’ Nest North. If you are un- or under-insured and therefore forced to pay out-of-pocket, please let me know prior to our first session, so we can determine your eligibility for a sliding scale fee. If you are experiencing difficulty navigating the new healthcare system, we are also happy to support and advocate for you in becoming insured.  

At this time, I am only available to see OHP, Medicare, or Kaiser subscribers, and cash/out-of-pocket payers. My fees with a cash-pay discount are: $80 for individuals and $100 for relationship counseling.  ONN only accepts cash as payment (no checks or cards).

Cancellations:  Occasionally life intervenes and prevents us from following through with our commitments. I trust our mutual respect of one another’s time. As such, it is our policy to collect my full session fee for no-shows and sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice. For all non-OHP payers cancelling with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged the full fee for the session. See our fee schedule for rates with cash-pay discount. Kaiser clients will be charged our contracted rate at the time the cancellation was made (as of 1/2026 – $165).

If you are an OHP client, our contract does not allow us to charge for missed appointments and we would not want to, but we are unable to hold a regular appointment space after two missed/late cancelled appointments. You can, however, schedule into cancellation spots on your clinician’s schedule.  

Bio: I graduated with an MA in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College. I chose this program for its collaborative, holistic orientation and its focus on social justice. I have clinical experience working with concerns related to anxiety, depression, anger, chronic pain, invalidation, relational trauma, systemic oppression, and aging, as well as a particular focus on working with those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. My approach to therapy is relationally-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed. In my work I primarily draw on Existential-Humanistic therapy, Emotion Focused therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. 

My undergraduate degree is a double major in Written Arts and Biology. I chose to be a therapist because of a deep love for people, and wanting to do work that feels aligned with my values. Outside of the therapy room, I like to spend my time reading, walking, cooking, being with loved ones, and swimming in rivers.   

Licensure: I am a registered associate with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists and am currently working towards licensure as a professional counselor. At Owls’ Nest North, I am under the clinical supervision of Heather Sutch, LCSW. I abide by the code of ethics set forth by the American Counseling Association, and the Oregon Licensing Board (OAR chapter 833, Division 100).   

 Contact: lafe@owlsnestnorth.com * 503.281.1166 

Please be advised that email is not a secure form of communication, and while it is unlikely that your email communications would be of interest to nefarious pursuits, it is your risk to take. Owls’ Nest and I accept no responsibility for misuse or abuse of your communications. In an effort to minimize exposure/risk, we ask that you do not include any sensitive or process-oriented information in email, and utilize it solely for the purpose of logistical issues.