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5 Best Psychotherapists in Portland We’d Seek Help From

  • Credentials: We checked each therapist’s license through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and therapists to make sure they had advanced degrees and years of experience.
  • Reviews: We looked at Google Reviews and spoke to past and current patients. We looked for patterns in the feedback, like consistent praise for empathy and breakthroughs in trauma, anxiety, and more.
  • Specializations: We chose therapists with training in evidence-based modalities like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or mindfulness-based approaches, and those who served various people.
  • Accessibility: We looked at real-world practicality: in-person sessions, telehealth availability, and sliding scale fees or insurance acceptance.

Years ago, there was a big stigma around mental health. Seeking help was seen as a sign of weakness. Many suffered in silence, afraid of being judged or misunderstood. 

Fast forward to today, mental health awareness has exploded, and many have come to realize that prioritizing their emotional wellbeing is not just brave—it’s necessary. 

That’s why we spoke to people and several psychotherapists to get the lowdown on their practices. Here are the ones whose approaches stood out to us for helping many people live a happier, healthier life. 

1. Erin Needham Psychotherapy

erin-needham-psychotherapy

Services: Depth Psychotherapy, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Spiritual Inquiry, and Dynamic Trauma Modalities

Location: 1135 SE Salmon St l2

Contact: +1 503-715-2311

Business hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday – 11 AM to 3 PM

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Credentials/5
Reviews/5
Specializations4.5/5
Accessibility5/5

Many with depression, anxiety, and PTSD found Erin Needham’s Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy really helpful. It uses low doses of ketamine—a drug that helps you detach—to make therapy sessions more impactful.

Erin is the main therapist who guides you through the experience. From what we gathered, she’s very stable and supportive, especially when unpacking key insights and guiding patients to applying them in their lives. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Lewis (the doctor on site) checks if ketamine is right for you, creates a custom plan for you, and tracks your progress for safety and results. 

We’ve also heard great things about their transpersonal therapy. It mixes psychology and spirituality in a full-body way. Several people told us it helped them connect with their higher self and find renewed purpose and inner peace. 

For trauma healing, their gentle somatic grounding approach is awesome. We love how they focus on calming the nervous system, breaking old patterns, and building healthier relationships. 

The downside? Their special holistic therapy sessions are not fully covered by insurance, so it’s worth checking your coverage plan upfront to avoid unexpected costs. 

Pros

  • Transpersonal therapy 
  • Ketamine therapy 
  • Holistic trauma focus 
  • Gentle somatic grounding approach
  • Helps move beyond overwhelm 
  • Integrative sessions

Cons

  • Not fully covered by insurance

    Her therapy skills are top notch

    “I can’t say enough positive things about Erin. She is kind, compassionate, and one of the most level-headed people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Her therapy skills are top notch, and she’s an amazing advocate for her clients!”

    Extremely competent and caring

    “Erin is extremely competent and caring. She takes time to get to know her clients and what their needs are.”

    2. LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Portland

    lifestance-therapists-&-psychiatrists-portland

    Services: Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, and more

    Location: 12636 SE Stark St 125 Building J

    Contact: +1 503-253-4600

    Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM

    Website

    Google reviews score4.8/5
    Total reviews4.8/5
    Score consistency 4.8/5
    Credentials4.8/5
    Reviews4.8/5
    Specializations5/5
    Accessibility5/5

    LifeStance is the place to go if you want cutting-edge treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. TMS is a safe, non-invasive option that uses magnetic fields to boost brain activity and ease symptoms of depression. 

    They also offer Spravato (a nasal spray form of esketamine). It’s given under supervision for hard-to-treat depression. People who haven’t found relief with traditional talk therapy or medication alone love these treatments. 

    We also love that they accept over 300 insurances. It keeps things simple—no more insurance headaches just to get an appointment. 

    From there, they handle everything from psychiatry for adults and kids to therapy for couples and families. We also love that they make it easy for those who prefer to stay at home through their online therapy option.

    Beyond their core services, we also like the sheer number of specialties. There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re managing ADHD, postpartum issues, or need neuropsychological testing, there’s a specialist for that. 

    The trade-off? With a practice this big, people told us matching with the right therapist takes a little time. Some people complained that they didn’t get matched until after a week. 

    Pros

    • TMS treatment
    • Spravato treatment 
    • Over 300 insurances
    • Online therapy available 
    • Plenty of specialties

    Cons

    • Takes up to a week to match with a therapist

      Full of kindness, knowledge, and willing to listen

      “Every single person I’ve met at LifeStance whether it be from the front desk to practitioners, has been amazing! Full of kindness, knowledge, and willing to listen. I’ve never felt more supported in my life than by the team of folks working at LifeStance!”

      My therapist is kind, knowledgeable, great listener

      “LifeStance has been a great place to get therapy. My therapist is kind, knowledgeable, great listener and I would recommend her to anyone! LifeStance has been a wonderful organization for me and has been extremely helpful.”

      3. Portland Psychotherapy

      portland-psychotherapy

      Services: Couples therapy, Individual therapy, Group therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, and more

      Location: 3700 N Williams Ave

      Contact: +1 503-281-4852

      Business hours: 

      • Monday to Thursday – 8 AM to 8 PM
      • Friday 8 AM to 6 PM

      Website

      Google reviews score4.7/5
      Total reviews4.7/5
      Score consistency 4.7/5
      Credentials5/5
      Reviews4.8/5
      Specializations5/5
      Accessibility4.7/5

      Portland Psychotherapy’s anxiety clinic made our list because of its expertise in dealing with anxiety issues, PTSD, and tic disorders. 

      They targeted behavioral strategies to manage tic disorders (involuntary movements). Patients told us they were able to reduce symptoms and improve their lives through Portland Psychotherapy’s treatment.

      We also like their focus on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to quiet down worries. ACT helps you accept tough thoughts and process emotions without judgment. Then, their psychotherapists help you commit to actions that match your values.

      Many patients like their structured sessions. They often include exposure exercises that help people gradually face and desensitize triggers. Many said these exercises have helped them build confidence and resilience over time. 

      But if you prefer open-ended conversations, the clinic may not be the best fit. Patients told us their approach is very goal-oriented and technique-focused, which can be a bit rigid for those who prefer free-flowing chats.

      That said, we like how they incorporate mindfulness practices for daily stress management. Patients get access to practical tools to stay grounded and present. 

      Pros

      • Effective targeted behavioral strategies
      • Effective ACT strategies 
      • Structured sessions 
      • Exposure exercises
      • Focuses on desensitizing triggers 

      Cons

      • Not great for open-ended convos
      • Can be a bit rigid 

        Highly skilled therapists

        “My experiences at Portland Psychotherapy so far have been excellent. I attended a weekend  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy training which was top notch. Based on my experiences at Portland Psychotherapy the clinicians there live up to their reputation of being highly skilled therapists, researchers, and trainers.”

        Genuinely humanistic way of relating to everyone 

        “The founders and staff of Portland Psychotherapy have dedicated their lives to improving the mental health of not only the patients in their immediate community, but through training, research, and publications, exponentially improved the lives of others well beyond Portland Oregon.  They have also committed themselves to meticulously gathering, training and supervising many outstanding clinicians who provide state of the art evidenced based therapy.  Look no further in your journey to find not only a scientifically proven practice for your mental health needs, but a group practice with a genuinely humanistic way of relating to everyone who walks in the door.”

        4. Abri Psychotherapy

        abri-psychotherapy

        Services: RO DBT, EMDR, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and more

        Location: 520 SW Yamhill St Ste. 345

        Contact: +1 503-386-1515

        Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 8 PM

        Website

        Google reviews score3.6/5
        Total reviews4.5/5
        Score consistency 4.5/5
        Credentials5/5
        Reviews4.6/5
        Specializations4.7/5
        Accessibility5/5

        Abri Psychotherapy is who we’d recommend if you want innovative therapies like Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) and EMDR to spark meaningful change. 

        To keep it simple, RO DBT helps target over-control disorders by increasing emotional openness. 

        EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to process traumatic memories. This treatment makes it easier to move past emotional roadblocks. 

        We love how they weave these therapies into patients’ lives to get big breakthroughs. For example, they use RO DBT to guide someone struggling with OCD toward more flexible thinking and build genuine relationships without fear of vulnerability. 

        Others liked how their work with EMDR helped them to face everyday triggers with newfound calm and confidence. 

        But those looking for more talk therapy should look elsewhere. Many people told us the focus is on committing to targeted exercises, so you won’t get much venting done here.

        On the bright side, we really like that they go beyond mental health. Whether online or on-site, patients are supported by a team of therapists and nutritionists who work together for care that addresses their mind and body. 

        Pros

        • Offers RO DBT 
        • Offers EMDR 
        • In-person sessions
        • Telehealth available 
        • Nutritionists work with therapists 

        Cons

        • Not focused on talk therapy 

          Fantastic team 

          “This is a fantastic team led by a pair of expert therapists of high integrity. The amount of work that Li Lin and Kirsten have put into mastering RO DBT and training their employees in it is phenomenal. If you are overcontrolled and looking for the best treatment there is, Abri is the place to go in this area.”

          Would highly recommend 

          “I have worked with Amber, Lisa, and Shadee. I would highly recommend any of them. I have worked with Amber most closely and love her openness. She genuinely cares about her clients (which I believe is true of all the Abri therapists.)”

          5. Thriving Center of Psychology

          thriving-center-of-psychology

          Services: Individual, couples and family therapy

          Location: 1050 SW 6th Ave

          Contact: +1 503-899-4247

          Business hours: 

          • Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 7 PM
          • Friday – 9 AM to 4 PM

          Website

          Google reviews score4.8/5
          Total reviews4.8/5
          Score consistency 4.8/5
          Credentials5/5
          Reviews4.8/5
          Specializations4.8/5
          Accessibility4.7/5

          Thriving Center of Psychology is for anyone who wants flexible psychotherapy sessions. You can do in-person sessions, go fully virtual, or mix both for a hybrid experience. 

          This flexibility extends to how quick and easy their therapist matching process is. Many people told us they were able to see their psychotherapist within 24 hours. That’s a big plus when you want to get started and need timely care without the usual wait times. 

          We also like how they offer evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. 

          They stand out by focusing on rapid symptom relief through practical coping strategies, body-positive mindfulness, and helping couples rebuild communication. 

          But as a trade-off for their flexibility, Thriving Center of Psychology is out-of-network for all insurance companies. That means they don’t bill your insurance directly, and you’ll have to pay for sessions upfront. 

          Pros

          • Flexible psychotherapy sessions
          • Quick therapist matching
          • CBT therapy approach 
          • Rapid symptom relief  

          Cons

          • Out-of-network for all insurance companies
          • Pay for sessions upfront

            Amazing

            “Dr. Rhiannon is wonderful! Megan, the office manager is kind and helpful and was able to get me an appointment as a new patient within a week. Amazing! I highly recommend the Thriving Center.”

            Responsive, and professional

            “Responsive, and professional. My experience has been good so far.”

            FAQs about Psychotherapists in Portland 

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