Portland Therapy Center
Karin Pfeiffer-Robinson

Karin Pfeiffer-Robinson (she/her)

Professional Counselor Associate

M.A.

Supervisor: Natasha Laumei, LPC and Brandie Lyday, LMFT, CGACII, CADCIII

Accessible and culturally respectful mental health counseling for adults and teens over 16. In-person, outdoors, or through telehealth.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-974-3344

7929 SW 37th Ave

Suite F

Portland, 97219

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $125-$185

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2021

Languages: English, Español

Services

  • Individual
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • OHP Trillium

My Ideal Client

I honor who you are. I'm committed to providing a safe space where you can be understood and supported as you explore your experiences and change in helpful ways. I am especially passionate about working with clients who are in their late teens and early 20's, a time of life that brings a lot of challenges as well as a chance for a great deal of discovery and growth. That said, I enjoy working with clients who are going through significant changes in their lives, at any age.

My Approach to Helping

I graduated with an M.A. in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College. Prior to becoming a mental health counselor, I worked with Latina women and their children as a case manager in a transitional housing program as well as with Latinx farmers, both in Paraguay and in the Portland Metro area. My approach is guided by relational cultural theory, attachment theory, and ecotherapy. These philosophies recognize that each person is part of larger social, cultural, and environmental contexts that influence and impact them greatly. I utilize somatic therapy, parts work, EMDR, and mindful self-compassion in my work with clients. More important than a specific theory or approach, for counseling to be effective it is essential that you feel respected, safe, and understood by your therapist. I offer free 20-minute initial consultations for anyone interested in becoming a client, to see if this would be a good fit.

My Values as a Therapist

I believe that you know yourself better than anyone else does. Sometimes that inner wisdom can feel obscured. Painful life experiences and systemic oppression can lead to mental health challenges. Therapy is one avenue for reconnecting with yourself, with your values, and with others. I recognize that the field of mental health counseling has its roots in serving the dominant, white culture in the U.S. Access to nature has also traditionally been much more available for middle to upper-middle class, able-bodied white people than for anyone else. I started my private practice, Fern Path Counseling, to be one small part of changing mental health care to better align with social justice values and the rights of all people to access mental health care that they deserve.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    Our bodies hold so much wisdom. And yet, many of us have learned how to disconnect from them as a way to avoid feeling pain and other intense emotions. It is possible to rebuild your connection, gradually and safely, with the feelings your body holds. I often weave together somatic therapy with parts work, informed by Internal Family Systems therapy, and find that this helps clients access their internal experience in deep, meaningful ways.

  • EMDR External link

    I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy through the EMDR Institute. An evidence-based treatment for addressing trauma, depression, anxiety, and a variety of other concerns, I have found EMDR therapy to be a powerful and helpful approach that can lead to lasting change.

  • Mindfulness-based External link

    Technology and the pace of our modern world often brings us out of ourselves and out of the present moment. The practice of being mindful and approaching ourselves with an open, compassionate curiosity has the ability to dramatically shift our relationships, both with ourselves and with others. Scientific research also shows that mindfulness leads to lasting, positive changes in the brain.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) External link

    I am IFS-informed, which means that I have taken several courses in Internal Family Systems therapy. The central concept of IFS therapy is that we all consist of parts and that when we develop a stronger relationship with and more empathy for our parts, we can make lasting changes. I find it very helpful to integrate IFS therapy with somatic work as well as with EMDR.

  • EcoTherapy External link

    I completed courses in Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy at Lewis & Clark College while in the professional mental health counseling M.A. program. During my graduate internship, I worked with individual clients of all ages at a nature-based therapy agency. I bring this expertise to my work with clients whether sessions take place outdoors, indoors, or through telehealth, if it is something that is important to you.

Issues I Treat

Contact Karin

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