Individual and Relationship Counselor
Philosophy and Approach: The goal I aim for in therapy is to collaboratively foster connection and community in client’s lives. I work from an affirming, strengths-based approach to support clients where they are at, and then to help in co-constructing future steps for development. In this I honor what resources and skills clients bring with them to therapy, and we use those already effective techniques (and incorporate more tools) to move towards growth. I find that change is difficult and uncomfortable, but necessary and that through smaller, incremental steps begins to be less daunting. I operate from a systems perspective meaning that I believe all active systems in client’s lives may be influencing or impacting past and current stressors and experiences. That is, I examine issues and concerns in terms of relationships and how those caregivers/friends/partners/medical professionals/etc., along with the individual, contribute to or maintain the cycle of presenting concerns.

My theoretical approach in therapy is an integration of modalities that include motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition, I pay attention to experiences of trauma, discrimination and oppression as they are inextricable from how we interact with the world. I strive to acknowledge problematic power dynamics, particularly in ways which dismiss the importance of cultural knowledge and divergence from the larger dominant society.

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: $100 for individuals and $120 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: I hold a Master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family therapy from Lewis & Clark College. My program focused heavily around social justice and anti-oppression lenses which I fully embrace as necessary for individual and relational growth. In my graduate training I specialized in sex therapy that included education regarding intimacy issues and sexual concerns within relationships. I have received additional education and training in counseling around gender identity and related medical services.

During my graduate internship I worked extensively in a clinic focused on helping individuals and families who hold a transgender/nonbinary/genderqueer identity.  I have also worked in a public high school setting with adolescents.  In these environments I have worked with clients experiencing grief and loss, depression, anxiety, nonmonogamous relationships, identity formation, sexuality and queerness, life transitions, and trauma.  My personal and professional interests are guided by awareness of racial inequalities, class disparities, ongoing impacts on culture due to colonization, body and sexual positivity, and religious and spiritual belief systems. As a queer, nonbinary person I am especially dedicated to providing affirming therapy to those who exist outside of the prescribed systems of gender identity and heteronormative ideals.

Licensure: As a Licensed Professional Counselor registered with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, I abide by its Code of Ethics. I seek out consultation with professional peers when needed. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have questions about this.

Contact: sophe@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.