Portland Therapy Center
Emily Smith

Emily Smith (she/her)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

MA

Supervisor: Jessica Thomas, PhD, LMFT

At this time, I am focusing my practice on couples and relational work, helping partners strengthen connection, communication, and trust.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

971-415-2967

1235 SE Division Street

Portland, 97202

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $150-$180

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2022

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Family
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

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

My Ideal Client

I work with couples and family members who want to strengthen connection, improve communication, and feel more understood in their relationships. My clients often find themselves stuck in repetitive patterns or navigating life transitions, and they’re ready to explore new ways of relating and supporting one another. I also support couples coping with grief, loss, or major life changes, helping partners maintain bonds and deepen understanding through life’s challenges.

My Approach to Helping

I believe how we show up in the world is shaped by our experiences, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves about them. My path to becoming a therapist grew from my own experiences in therapy and the growth it inspired. I help clients and couples deepen connection with themselves and each other, fostering trust in their inner wisdom. With curiosity and respect for each person’s unique experience, I meet you exactly where you are. I draw on attachment and emotionally focused therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, and narrative techniques to help clients and couples explore patterns, deepen connection, and foster growth. Clients often describe me as calm, warm, thoughtful, and compassionate. At my core, I deeply believe in the human capacity for growth, change, and healing.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I am dedicated to creating a welcoming and affirming space for people of all expressions and identities, providing culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed care, and supporting you in embracing and living your most authentic self. I believe every individual encounters struggles in life’s journey and deserves to feel respected, heard, and supported in their healing. I view the human experience as deeply connected to the natural world, often finding inspiration in the shifting seasons and natural life cycles as mirrors for personal growth and transformation. I have specific experience navigating relapse and recovery in couples relationships, and have served as both a leader and member within a community grief group of 21-45 year olds who have experienced significant loss.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Attachment Theory External link

    Attachment theory underpins all of the work that I do, as I believe we are all wired for connection with one another. Attachment styles are characterized by different ways of interacting and behaving in relationships, and are influenced by both present-day relationships as well as our earliest relationships with our caregivers. I will work with you to explore and heal attachment wounds and move towards a greater sense of safety and connection in relationship with others.

  • Emotionally Focused External link

    As a MFT associate, I have specific training and experience with working from an Emotionally-Focused Therapy perspective with couples. I will work with you to become aware of the emotional patterns and dynamics of your relationship, help you process reactivity, wounds, and emotional triggers, and guide you in practicing new ways of communicating and relating with your partner.

  • Narrative  External link

    Narrative therapy focuses on the way we tell stories and relate to problems, and I will bring insight and awareness into what happens for you when you tell a story in the therapy room. I notice language and will be curious about certain phrases or words that you use in order to help you make sense of your experiences and how you relate to them.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    I incorporate mindfulness practices into all of my work, including slowing down and focusing on present moment awareness, sensations, and emotions, meditation, and breathing exercises. This helps ground clients in the here and now and can help decrease overwhelm. Mindfulness is also a helpful skill for you to carry over into your everyday life.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Relationship / Marriage Issues External link

    When our sense of communication and connection is “off” in our relationships, we can really suffer. I work from an Emotionally-Focused Therapy perspective with couples, and I help partners become aware of their relational patterns, provide space and guidance for processing conflict and emotional wounds, and help you lean into mutual vulnerability in order to strengthen attachment, love, and support within your relationship.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    My approach to grief and loss work is grounded in the idea that "We don't "move on" from grief, we move forward with it" (Nora McInerny). Loss can be so isolating and can manifest in many different, unexpected, confusing ways. I work with clients on exploring the impact of new and old losses, anticipated loss, sudden loss, and/or disenfranchised grief. I can help you find ways to continue bonds and meaningfully integrate the memory of your loved one as you move forward.

  • Personal Growth External link

    I enjoy working with individuals and couples who are curious - those who might feel lost or stuck, but are also open to exploring existential themes around identity, meaning-making, purpose, spirituality, and how to have more connected, meaningful relationships with others.

Contact Emily

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