Portland Therapy Center
Bex Mertulien

Bex Mertulien (They/Them)

Professional Counselor Associate

Registered Associate R7909

Supervisor: Cole Prophet, LPOC

I am Queer/Genderqueer, Black, Second Generation Immigrant & Neurodivergent (ADHD+).

Client Status

waitlist

Contact

971-405-9006

Email Website Schedule Now

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $130-$190

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2022

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Relationship
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network

My Ideal Client

Intentionally radical and deeply relational counseling for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Offering trauma informed, kink/poly+ affirmative, and culturally sensitive care for those who feel a little bit “weird”, a whole lot “different, and definitely beyond “normal”. For individuals (14+) and adult relationships (open, closed, couples, polyamorous etc.

My Approach to Helping

My work is grounded in the wisdom of the body, and built around the evidence based techniques of Attachment, Mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology. I draw much of my philosophy concerning gender and sexuality from queer theory which historically challenges normative society, established traditions, and binary or definitive constructs. Therefore, our discussions may touch upon how various forms of marginalization, oppressive systems and traditional social constructs may impact your healing journey.

My Values as a Therapist

I value personal autonomy, non hierarchical support, radical openness and radical honesty. I am a nonbinary queer person who is always changing and always unearthing new aspects of what it means to live in a black queer body within a white capitalist colonial framework. I believe in decolonizing oneself and one's wellness. I cannot and will not be your blank faced therapist. I value mindful ways of existing that allow us to center your health and well-being.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    I have utilized somatic therapy for the last 5 years both through my own personal experience as well as throughout my graduate education. I incorporate principles from Interpersonal Neurobiology as well as concepts learned from my undergradute education in the field of Neurobiology. I intertwine treatment techniques from sensorimotor therapy to ground the body as we explore or engage with trauma, anxiety, dissociation/depersonalization and other issues.

  • Emotionally Focused External link

    I specialize in utilizing emotions focused therapy for individuals and relationships to explore how we construct and engage with our emotions and relate to ourselves and others emotively. I also utilize and draw from attachment based theory to explore how our early life experiences impact our present ways of relationship.

  • Existential External link

    I draw from existential psychotherapy to explore meaning making in the face of loneliness, death, crisis and abandonment. I use this modality especially in working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and grief/loss.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • LGBTQ Issues External link

    I have years of experience working with queer and trans communities in crisis and outpatient mental health. I specialized my graduate education around LGBTQ concerns in counseling.

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    I work with couples, polycules and other intimate relationships navigating issues like trust, nonmonogamy and security.

  • PTSD External link

    I specialize in working with complex PTSD related to childhood trauma, chronic trauma in adulthood and other forms of trauma related to experience of violence or threat to life. I utilize gentle somatic techniques to help ground you as we work on healing.

Contact Bex

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