Ducks in a Lake

Workshops and Training for Professionals
We regularly offer training for therapists, counselors, psychologists and other professionals in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, self-compassion, mindfulness, osychedelic-assisted therapy, and other evidence-based therapies.

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Current Blog Posts

A Comprehensive Review of Generalized Shame Measures: What Clinicians and Researchers Need to Know 

Shame is a complex, self-conscious emotion that plays a significant role in both social functioning and psychological well-being. While shame can be a healthy response in certain contexts, chronic and intense feelings of shame have been linked to a variety of mental health issues, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance misuse. Given the … Read more

Exploring the Efficacy of ACT-Informed Exposure for Excoriation Disorder: A New Approach in Treatment  

Excoriation Disorder (ExD), commonly known as skin picking disorder, presents significant challenges for those who suffer from it, often leading to severe distress and self-consciousness about their appearance. Traditional treatments, like Habit Reversal Training (HRT), have shown effectiveness in managing symptoms, but there is a growing interest in exploring how additional therapeutic approaches might enhance outcomes. A study by … Read more

Addressing Internalized Shame in Justice-Involved Women with Substance Use Disorders: Insights from a New Study 

Internalized shame presents a significant challenge for people seeking recovery, particularly among justice-involved women with substance use disorders (SUD). Shame, compounded by societal stigma, often impedes the recovery process. For this population, mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) emerges as a promising approach to addressing internalized shame and fostering justice-involved women’s recovery. A recent study, co-authored by Dr. Jason Luoma, explores how … Read more

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New research from Portland Psychotherapy 📄✨ What helps and doesn’t help in PTSD recovery? Our latest blog post breaks down a recent study co-authored by Dr. Jason Luoma, published in the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. The research examines how psychological inflexibility, mindfulness, and self-compassion intersect in veterans with PTSD with some surprising findings: 🧠 Psychological inflexibility emerged as a key barrier to recovery and a critical target for treatment. 🧘‍♂️ Not all mindfulness practices are equally helpful. Simply observing internal experiences without judgment can sometimes increase distress in PTSD. But describing those experiences and putting words to them was linked to lower symptom severity. 💜 Self-compassion matters, but may not be enough without also addressing psychological inflexibility. These insights help refine how we understand and treat trauma and point to the importance of approaches like ACT that target inflexibility directly. Read the full blog post to learn more 👇 🔗 portlandpsychotherapy.com/2026/01/exploring-the-role-of-psychological-inflexibility-mindfulness-a… #PTSD #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealthResearch #ACT #Mindfulness #SelfCompassion #Veterans #PortlandPsychotherapy #EvidenceBased #NewResearch See MoreSee Less
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You're invited! Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and vision-sharing at the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (PIPS) Open House. What we're celebrating: 🎓 The launch of PIPS psilocybin-assisted therapy services: now accepting health insurance for a portion of care, increasing equitable access to rigorous, ethical treatment. 🌱 Our new affiliated state-level nonprofit, Northwest Psychedelics Services, expanding community-focused psychedelic support. 📊 Completion of our landmark clinical trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder. We'll share results and honor the participants, clinicians, and collaborators who made this research possible. What you'll find: ✨ Meet our partners and strengthen our local ecosystem ✨ Explore how clinical-trial rigor can support a rapidly expanding field ✨ Share needs, ideas, and possibilities—how can we work together? Come help us shape the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy in community. 🔗 Learn more / RSVP at forms.office.com/r/Fp1WP6iMPp 📧 Questions? [email protected] #PIPS #PsychedelicScience #MDMATherapy #PsilocybinServices #PortlandEvents #PsychedelicCommunity #ResearchToPractice #MentalHealthInnovation See MoreSee Less
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The conversation around psychedelics is filled with both hope and hype. As a practice committed to evidence-based care, we find this scientific perspective from NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow essential. The piece highlights the promising "neuroplastogen" properties of these compounds while soberly addressing the critical unknowns: the vital role of set, setting, and therapeutic support; the challenge of proper placebo-controlled trials; and the paramount need for safety protocols and equitable access. True progress lies at the intersection of open-minded exploration and scientific rigor. Read the full analysis: nida.nih.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2026/01/could-psychedelics-harness-neuroplasticity-to-treat-ad… #PsychedelicTherapy #ScienceNotHype #EvidenceBased #ClinicalResearch #MentalHealthTreatment #Neuroplasticity #NIDA #PortlandPsychotherapy #InformedConsent See MoreSee Less
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Sleep isn't a luxury. It's a cornerstone of mental health. 😴🧠Chronic sleep disruption is deeply linked to depression, anxiety, and trauma. Therapy can both help with directly improving your sleep. It can also address the underlying mental health issues that can cause sleep disruption in the first place.We champion the vital role of restorative sleep in healing.Struggling with sleep? It's a valid mental health concern. We're here to help.🔗 portlandpsychotherapy.com/contact-us/#WorldSleepDay #SleepAwarenessWeek #MentalHealth #Neuroscience #PsychedelicResearch #BrainHealth #PortlandPsychotherapy #PIPS #Restorative See MoreSee Less
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Ever wondered what makes MDMA-assisted therapy so different? It’s all about creating the ideal conditions for the brain to heal itself. 💫 MDMA acts like a temporary catalyst, dialing down fear and turning up empathy and trust. This opens a "window of neuroplasticity," where old, painful patterns can be rewired with the guidance of a trained therapist. It's not a magic pill, but a powerful tool that accelerates the therapeutic process. Does this explain the 'how' for you? Let us know in the comments! #MentalHealth #MDMA #TherapyWorks #HealingJourney #BrainScience #Psychotherapy See MoreSee Less
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Therapy & Counseling in Portland Oregon

At Portland Psychotherapy, we are committed to helping our clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other life problems so that they can live fuller and more meaningful lives. Our commitment is not just to help our clients feel better, we help them to live better.

You belong here. We offer care for people of all identities and backgrounds, and are dedicated to providing therapy that is inclusive, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, culturally responsive, and grounded in equity.

Our Colleagues Say It Best

Portland Psychotherapy is a unique practice. It not only provides knowledgeable, compassionate and highly effective treatments for their clients, but it is also a place where the therapists are actively involved in cutting edge clinical research to find ever more effective ways to serve their clients to help improve the quality of their lives. I know all of the therapists in this practice through participation in an ongoing peer consultation group for over 2 years, and I can say without hesitation that these are the professionals I would send my family and friends to if they needed help.
S.B.

What Makes Us Unique

Portland Psychotherapy is a clinic, research & training center with a unique business model that funds scientific research. This results in a team of therapists who are exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable about their areas of specialty.