Individual and Relationship Therapist
Philosophy and Approach: I believe every human being has the inherent potential for positive change and self-actualization. At times we can feel overwhelmed by the search for life meaning and the daily struggles that are a part of life. We do not have to bear this burden alone. Support and guidance in a safe and comfortable therapeutic setting can provide the space needed to explore pain, trauma, behaviors that no longer serve us, our strengths, our multiple identities, our own potential, and the internal and external systems that greatly impact our well being, choices and perspectives of ourselves, the world, and our place in it.

I see therapy as a collaborative process where we can access your own inner gold and uncover your truth and deep knowing. As a practitioner of feminist and Critical Race Theory modalities I understand that systems of oppression, such as: racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism and poverty contribute to mental health and impact the way we move through the world. We are all immersed in a culture that uplifts us, or steps down on us based on our identities. In therapy, we can explore these aspects as well as your interpersonal and interpersonal dynamics in order to find healing and growth.

I utilize Humanistic-Existential, person-centered, and feminist modalities, Critical Race Theory, and Jungian philosophy in my therapeutic work.

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 subscribers and cash/out-of-pocket payers. My fees with a cash-pay discount are: $80 for individuals and $100 for couples/families.

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.

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: My journey to becoming a therapist started in my undergraduate work at Portland State University where I studied Social Sciences. It opened my eyes to the many social disparities that exist in Western culture and how system oppression affects individuals with marginalized identities in the United States. I received a Bachelor’s degree with this focus and then enrolled in graduate school to become a teacher. I earned a Master of Education at Portland State in 2006.

Upon graduation, I worked as a Paraprofessional with children with disabilities and then as a middle school teacher in San Francisco for several years. My time in San Francisco at an inner city school, consisting primarily of children of color experiencing desperate poverty, was profoundly impactful for me. My interest in counseling grew from the realization that my students had needs that were far deeper and more pressing than what education could provide and that what they truly needed was: support, advocacy, social justice, basic needs met, and healing for the multiple traumas they received as a direct result of racism and poverty caused by systemic oppression.

A decade later, I returned to Oregon and received my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Portland State University with a focus on individual counseling.

Through my participation in the Community Counseling Clinic at the university, as well as time working with Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, I have been able to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I have worked primarily with marginalized populations, such as LGBTQIA++ and BiPOC folks, as well as people experiencing poverty and those with disabilities. It has been my honor to hold space for those working through issues such as: depression, anxiety, grief, life stage transitions, divorce, parenting, gender identity, adjustment to disability, and trauma.

Licensure: I am registered as a licensed professional counselor associate in the state of Oregon. As an intern licensee of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, I am bound by its code of ethics. I am under the clinical supervision of Sawyer Salameh, LPC.

Contact: katie@owlsnestnorth.com * 503.281.1166

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