Portland Therapy Center
Colette Gordon

Colette Gordon (they/them)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I think this world is hard, we get through it together, and therapy can help.

Client Status

not accepting clients

Contact

503-780-4169

631 Northeast 102nd Avenue

Portland, 97220

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $125

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2016

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • First Choice Health
  • OHP CareOregon/HealthShare
  • PacificSource

My Ideal Client

I work with so many queer and trans people. People who are political and have strong values against oppression. People who want a better world. People with big hearts who are often more compassionate towards others than towards themselves. People who value relationships, community and resistance, even if they feel isolated, heartbroken and discouraged. And while it’s not my life experience, I want to be here for trans women, transfemmes, people of color, and survivors of homelessness.

My Approach to Helping

The heart of my work is providing politically informed relational talk therapy. I believe some of the most therapeutic work comes from talking about the things that are hardest to say while being deeply heard and supported. I prioritize building and deepening the connection between us and attending to your experiences of connection and disconnection in other relationships. I draw on anti-oppressive critiques of social, political and economic forces in order to deepen understanding of your struggles. * * * The more I do this work, the more I believe in exposure therapy. Exposure therapy isn’t throwing you into the deep end; it’s therapeutic work done with a lot of intention, negotiation, support, and consent. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a specific treatment I use to process trauma and other formative experiences that may be interfering with your life. It’s some of the most impactful work I do. * * * I'm also here for assessments for gender affirming surgery (letters)

Why I am a Good Fit for You

I might be a good fit if: You think it's time to talk about the hard stuff. You're open to getting vulnerable and letting yourself be seen. You find it helpful to say things out loud and want a counselor who will think out loud with you. You want to look at the politics surrounding your life, relationships and struggles. * * * There are a lot of ways to do therapy but what generally matters most is the quality of the relationship you have with your counselor. It doesn't have to be perfect but it should be pretty solid. So don’t settle for me just because I’m queer and trans and can bill your insurance. That matters but you need more. But if you feel like we might click, check out my website for more, get in touch, and let's talk about it! I really value your considering putting your trust in me as a counselor and will do my best to do right by you.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Relational  External link

    I believe we feel better when we feel connected. I believe connection comes from being seen, heard and understood in our relationships. I focus a lot on our relationship in this work as well as the other relationships and potential relationships in your life. I approach boundaries more as a place to meet and negotiate rather than boundaries as demands and walls. At the same time, I help you value your autonomy and being able to say no and set limits.

  • Feminist External link

    Feminist in a way that's all about looking at power dynamics and talking about them. Feminist in a way that is against building power on the backs of others. Feminist in a way that seeks to support individual and collective empowerment. Feminist in a way that is pro-sex workers. Feminist in a way that is weight neutral, pro-fat liberation and gets feeling bad about your body. Feminist in a way that seeks to resist racism, capitalism, police/government violence, and other oppressive systems.

Issues I Treat

Contact Colette

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