Portland Therapy Center
Andrea Mize

Andrea Mize (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Identity-affirming individual & relationship therapy for adults. Queer, kinky, non-monogamous, and intimate industry professionals welcome.

Client Status

not accepting clients

Contact

5039575947

10725 SW Barbur Blvd

Ste 40

Portland, 97219

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $180-$200

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2013

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • OHP CareOregon/HealthShare
  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

I believe you're here because something in your life isn't working as you would like it to. I would like to help you tap into your internal, intrinsic ability to identify where the problem is, make changes where you can, develop self-compassion if that is lacking in your life, and heal what hurts. Whether you are just figuring out who you are and have known for some time, I provide an affirming and knowledgeable collaborative environment for you to make the change you need to.

My Approach to Helping

I offer both brief problem-oriented, solution-focused therapy (6-20 sessions) and longer-term, open-ended psychotherapy depending upon your needs. I provide support and compassion while challenging you to move towards your stated goals. Our sessions will be more of a conversation and collaboration with feedback flowing both directions to help you make the movement you seek. Productive therapy and life change happens when a solid, trusting relationship forms between client and therapist. One of my strengths as a therapist is forming that bond quickly with my clients so that we can identify and address problems together. While therapy takes time, I endeavor to help the change process along, providing encouragement and insight to aid carefully yet efficient growth. I encourage an open dialogue about how our fit is in sessions to ensure you are receiving the best support and aid that I can provide.

My Values as a Therapist

I share many identities with the people I serve and have a long personal history with invisibility. I bring a personal and professional understanding of the toll invisibility takes. While many people have identities reflected in community membership, we can often feel separated from these spaces and people. I believe most of us don't fit neatly into boxes, including ones designed for those of us left out of traditional spaces. Sometimes we don't feel seen in our relationships even if we do not experience invisibility or marginality in kthe world. I recognize that we can all feel missed and misunderstood no matter who and how we are. A sense of belonging and inclusion are some of the key factors in mental wellness. I strive to help my clients find safety, security and belonging in themselves to carry with them when encountering places, spaces and situations where they do not feel supported or understood.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Relational  External link

    I focus on the development of healthy relationships as part of mental health. This includes understanding boundaries as well as understanding the importance of attachment in our relationships. I am a whole person that develops a relationship with you in the treatment. While the therapy is focused on you, I understand that concerns that arise in your life outside of therapy will likely show up in our relationship. We can address them openly so you can use that knowledge outside of therapy.

  • Eclectic External link

    I tend to draw from many different theories and perspectives as I have not found one particular method that suits all or most clients. I appreciate the many theories and interventions I have had exposure to and have found most to be useful in some way for some clients. I work instinctively relying on the relationship built and the requests that clients make such as needing a particular understanding or type of skill in order to determine which approaches to draw from.

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    My graduate training program was based in psychodynamic teachings or "meaning-making" of your life and experiences. I continue to seek out continuing educational opportunities to support this foundational understanding of human behavior as I beleive it helps create context for how we are and show up in our lives. I combine elements of each of the treatment approaches I listed to create a foundation that addresses your particular needs.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Sexual Problems External link

    I am a kink-aware AASECT-certified sex therapist with a focus on holistic and integrative approaches. I have extensive experience with, am a proponent of, and have have received prior training in, the benefits of kink-oriented practices in personal growth and healing. A particular area of specialty is in transitions from one type of sexual identity to another as well as fluidity in sexual identity.

  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships External link

    I have a 20+ year personal history with this identity, with a focus on LGBTQIA community in consensual nonmongamy. In addition I have attended numerous trainings over the last decade and continue to immerse myself in new developments taking place in the various communities attached to non-monogamy in its many forms and manifestations.

  • Gender Identity External link

    I am an identity-affirming clinician for all gender identities. I have had a lot of experience with supporting nonbinary, genderqueer and gendervoid folks. I offer therapy to support those who are gender-questioning as well as those who have a trans history or gender nonconforming identity that is not a focus of therapy, and want someone who understands how this part of identity affects how they interact with the world and how the world responds to them.

Contact Andrea

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