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
  • Group

Insurances Accepted

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

If you have ever experienced constant mental charter and overwhelming fear associated with a compulsive need to respond to intrusive thoughts, this is called the Obsessive-Compulsive cycle, but luckily through evidence based treatment (called Exposure and Response Prevention) there is hope to stop the cycle. Ok didn't relate to that? Or maybe you do but also struggle with the following: Grief or loss either whether from a death, ending of a relationship, loss of a pet, loss of self or health

My Approach to Helping

Living with OCD and/or general anxiety is tiring and scary. While starting ERP can be a scary process, I will give you the tools to feel confident in managing your OCD. I try to make it also fun and funny! While bravery is encouraged, humor is an added bonus when doing exposures! And yes, you will have a million questions because OCD is confusing, but I will answer them all! But also set appropriate boundaries with the OCD in order to model to you that YOU can out-beat your OCD! I help clients navigate healthy interpersonal boundaries (since OCD and Anxiety tries to control everything), while living a value driven life. I also work grief and loss. I use existential, expressive arts, nature, mindfulness, storytelling, writing and rituals into my practice. I use somatic approaches with body-mind mindfulness practices and Yoga as needed. I am yoga certified and use aspects of that to inform breath and body work to regulate the nervous system.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that health is not a one size fit all approach. I believe that we are all unique and we carry unique stories that are rooted from childhood, the culture, and the systems we are brought up in. These inherently come with challenges but also strengths to explore and be curious about. I believe when we can connect back to our minds and bodies through compassion and care, we can change the narrative of who we are and who we want to be. I believe in a mind-body approach because I believe we are all struggling with stress in one way or another, and we carry it not just through intrusive thoughts but in the tension in our shoulders or in the judgments we hold about our bodies. I believe in re-writing the body narrative so you can feel at home. I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I am an ally for social justice, and a trauma informed and Heath At Every size clinician.

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. Yoga therapy can also be utilized.

  • Anxiety External link

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

  • 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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