“You have not missed out on what you are meant for.”
-Morgan Harper Nichols
SERVICES
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PREGNANCY, POSTPARTUM COUNSELING, AND PARENTING SUPPORT
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TRANSITIONS INTO AND OUT OF COLLEGE AND CAREERS
The seasons of pregnancy and parenthood are marked by layered, sacred, and complex transitions and changes in identity and relationships. I offer inclusive, holistic, and holding therapy for individuals who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, have experienced pregnancy loss or fertility concerns, abortion, miscarriage, or for those who are transitioning to parenthood or have parenting concerns. I am particularly interested in helping individuals build intentional parenting patterns through better understanding of their own relationships and mental health. I have specialized training in life-span development, particularly in prenatal and postpartum counseling and in parenting.
The transitions into and out of college and into and out of careers and jobs are frequently moments of fear and anxiety. These transitions can also be seasons of growth in self-understanding and moments for powerful shifts in identity. I have specialized training in career and academic counseling as well as business consultation and leadership development. I offer person-centered, compassionate, and contextualized therapy for these seasons of transformation, whether you are: transitioning from college, moving between jobs, reentering the job-market after family leave, longing for a more balanced work and home life, or developing your ability to lead.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
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I provide person-centered, holistic, and contextualized individual counseling that is rooted in attachment, connection, liberation and social justice. I am trained to work with a variety of concerns and using a variety of modalities and most often work with: anxiety, depression, identity development and transitions, grief and loss, relationship concerns, sleep concerns, transgender mental health, sexuality, and existential concerns. Please see my About section for more information on my approach to therapy.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
I offer psychosocial affirming evaluations for gender affirming and confirming surgeries and interventions following the WPATH standards of care guidelines. I am able to provide these assessments and letters of support to any resident of Oregon. I am committed to making such assessments accessible. Please contact me for more information.
Additionally, I provide compassionate, and therapeutic psychological diagnostic assessment for adults.
ABOUT
Hello, my name is Sarah Nelson (she/her/hers), I come to my work as a therapist holding tight to the knowledge that all people want to live meaningful lives with deep loving connection to others. Perhaps you are feeling a loss of meaning, a loss of connection, or are in the midst of a life transition and that has led you here. Whatever has led you to seek therapy, I am glad you are here and I welcome you as you are, as you were, and as you would like to be. I approach my work with a desire to connect and to understand, to hold hope, and to guide towards insight.
My approach to therapy is rooted in warmth and connection and you: who you are, where you come from, and what is meaningful to you. Our work together will be deep and relational. Within this person-centered approach I bring attention to early attachment and current relationships through the lens of feminist liberation psychology using a wide variety of techniques drawing from: modern psychodynamic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy and somatic therapies. This approach means that I see your context on a historical, local, and cultural scale as inextricable from your current mental health.
I am a psychologist licensed in the state of Oregon. I grew up in Northeast Portland but have lived in New England, the Mountain West, the Midwest, southern California and northern Washington. I love hiking, fiction reading, camping, yoga, eating, and running. I feel so grateful for my work which brings me into connection with so many incredible people and I look very forward to meeting you when you are ready.
EDUCATION
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University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Ph.D., Counseling Psychology
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Western Washington University, M.S., Psychology
CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
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Licensed Psychologist, Oregon #3336
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Practicing at the pre and then post-doctoral level since 2014
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Postdoctoral Residency in Primary Care & Mental Health Integration with specialized training in Women's Mental Health, Portland VA Healthcare System
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Predoctoral Internship, Portland VA Healthcare System
SPECIALITIES
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Prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health
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Parenting and transition to parenthood
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Balancing of parenting and career/caretaking and achievement
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Fertility, pregnancy loss, abortion, and reproductive health
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Transition into and out of college
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Career transitions
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Leadership development
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Anxiety, depression, and mood
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Identity development and change
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Relationship concerns
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Grief and loss
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LGBTQIA+ mental health and identity
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Trans and gender diverse mental health
RESEARCH
CONNECT
LOCATION
All sessions are currently virtual due to COVID-19. I am able to see any client who is in Oregon during the time of our sessions.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
If you are interested in becoming a client, please fill out the inquiry form on the Become a Client page of my website. My current availability is updated on this page as well.
Tel: 503-433-3443
sarah@roseandferncounseling.com
If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or the Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Line at 503 988 4888.
SCHEDULE
Please contact me for appointment availability.
Please be aware that the contact form below, voicemail, and email are not confidential forms of communication.
I will respond to inquiries in 3 - 5 business days.