Portland Therapy Center
Rebecca Garetz

Rebecca Garetz (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC, CYT

"I held my fear by the hand, honored its existence, and thanked it for teaching me that happiness exists beyond the boundaries it creates"

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

3608306632

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $130

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2017

Services

  • Individual
  • Family
  • Group
  • Relationship

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Optum
  • Providence Health Plan
  • United Behavioral Health
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My Ideal Client

Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions, develop practical coping strategies, and regain a sense of control in your life. Whether you are seeking tools to manage intrusive thoughts and compulsions, relief from persistent worry, support in navigating profound loss, or guidance in coping with chronic pain, I am here to support you on your journey to healing.

My Approach to Helping

My approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, including Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Somatic Therapy. Together, we will gently and effectively work through challenges, helping you build resilience and confidence. Exposure Therapy can support you in confronting fears in a safe and structured way, ACT encourages embracing life’s uncertainties with openness and values-driven action, and Somatic Therapy connects the mind and body for deeper healing. Throughout our work, I bring a spirit of gentle compassion and humor, recognizing that healing takes a lot of courage and vulnerability.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I became a counselor because of my interest in how we can feel safe in a world that has a lot of uncertainty.Growth and healing often require stepping into the unknown, facing discomfort, and embracing change with courage. The brain has an incredible ability to adapt and rewire itself—a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Exposure Therapy is a powerful tool in this process, helping retrain the brain to experience safety in situations that once felt threatening. When we avoid feared situations, our brain receives the message that they are dangerous, reinforcing anxiety, and pain. Over time, avoidance strengthens the belief that we are not capable of facing our fears. Through gradual, guided exposure, we work together to challenge these patterns, allowing your brain to recognize that you can tolerate discomfort and that many fears are not as threatening as they seem. This process helps break the cycle of avoidance and fosters a sense of empowerment, resilience, and confidence.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy External link

    I use ERP to treat anxiety disorders and OCD. ERP is a type of CBT, that works on changing behaviors and managing unpleasant thoughts and feelings. We take the time to expose yourself to the anxiety without engaging in safety behaviors and/or compulsions. Through exposure we are training the brain to face fears despite anxiety being present, and when we prevent compulsions we train the brain that the feared stimulus isn't worth the extra time and energy. Let's be brave together.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) External link

    I use ACT to practice bringing distance to our thoughts so that we can implement compassion and acceptance practices that align with our values in our daily lives.

  • Somatic Therapy (Body Centered) External link

    I am a trauma informed certified yoga teacher and therapist (500 hours). Yoga is a great addition to talk therapy. The body holds emotions and trauma that sometimes our brains haven't even processed or consciously aware of. Working with the body can calm the nervous system and teach us about safety, boundaries, and connection. Polyvagual Theory and mindfulness has greatly informed my practice

  • Narrative  External link

    The art of storytelling informs how we see ourselves and interact with the world. Who is the writer of your story? It can be very empowering to use the spoken and written word, or art/music to own our stories.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • OCD External link

    OCD is my main speciality that I am very passionate about treating! I use CBT (Exposure Therapy) and ACT to treat general anxiety, performance anxiety, perfectionism, over-control, anxiety, OCD, and social anxiety. I have OCD myself and have also done training through IOCDF, The Knowledge Tree, and CBT School.

  • Anxiety External link

    I use CBT (Exposure Therapy) and ACT to treat general anxiety, performance anxiety, perfectionism, over-control, anxiety, OCD, and social anxiety.Anxiety can also get in the way of maintaining healthy relationships which is why I also help clients communicate needs and set appropriate boundaries.

  • Chronic Pain or Illness External link

    Chronic pain is well.. a pain in your... Needless to say, it's not a friend we like to bring with use to activities or outings, but I hope with compassion, gentleness and humor we can learn to befriend our pain. I use CBT, ACT, and pain reprocessing therapy to work with chronic pain.

  • Loss or Grief External link

    Loss and Grief can show up when there has been a death, but can also show up when there has been a loss of self or others through injury, illness, life transitions, or even just aging. I use the witnessing and compassion of holding space for the grief process to happen organically. I also use ACT and experiential approaches through, art, music, writing and rituals.

Contact Rebecca

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