Portland Therapy Center
Sophie Toolanen

Sophie Toolanen (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, LPC

I specialize in deepening insight into the self, your relationships, healing from trauma, and effectively managing emotions and stress

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-994-6464

telehealth

Kenton Wellness Cooperative

Portland, 97217

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $130-$150

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2010

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Providence Health Plan
  • Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield

My Ideal Client

Are you curious about how you came to think, feel, and act the way that you do? Do you struggle with having compassion for, or loving, yourself? Do you ever wonder why you just can't seem to relax, or trust yourself or others, the way others can? Do you often feel as though you are not enough, that you are unloveable, unworthy, shameful, or bad deep down? These are some of the questions that I can help you answer and some of the things we can change, should you want to.

My Approach to Helping

My approach is mostly insight oriented, but can also be solution focused, depending on your preference. In conjunction with classic "talk therapy", I like to utilize EMDR, DBT, and IFS strategies to resolve defenses, "stuckness", interpersonal difficulties, volatile emotions, and negative self-talk... much of which is often a result of unprocessed trauma from the past. I focus on identifying how your past influences your present and finding solutions for overcoming obstacles. I think of myself as the assistant detective on a case, where you are the lead, and your life is the case. * Please note that I am only working with adults at this time.

Why I am a Good Fit for You

- I will not judge you negatively by what you share with me, no matter how "ugly" (a judgment by the way) the truth sometimes is. You don't have to worry about my ability to handle hearing your story, the way you might with friends, family, or partners. - I have extensive DBT training and experience. DBT offers strategies for regulating mood, managing self-destructive impulses, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. - I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is an effective approach for shifting core negative beliefs you hold about yourself and freeing you from the negative effects of past trauma. - I had a multi-cultural and multi-family upbringing and I immigrated to the US as a child, which lends itself to me having a unique understanding of issues related to cultural acclimation, not fitting in, moving, and blended families.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Attachment Theory External link

    Attachment and schema driven therapy were cornerstones of my graduate education program. I believe that the attachment, or lack there of, to our primary caregivers plays an integral part in shaping who we are and how confident and capable we feel. I have many years of experience working with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, which I see as a disorder rooted in attachment trauma.

  • EMDR External link

    I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is an effective approach for shifting core negative beliefs about self and freeing you from negative impact of past trauma. You can find me listed as an EMDR therapist at www.EMDRIA.org.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) External link

    I have been learning , teaching, and applying DBT strategies for over a decade. DBT is particularly effective in treating personality disorders, addiction, self-harm, and mood dysregulation.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Abuse External link

    I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is an effective approach for shifting core negative beliefs about self and freeing you from negative effects of past trauma, including abuse and neglect. I also use IFS, an approach aimed at healing wounded parts of self, that get in the way of self-compassion, and easing rigidity of protective, yet self-defeating, defensive mechanisms.

  • PTSD External link

    I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is an effective approach for shifting core negative beliefs about self and freeing you from negative effects of past trauma, whether it be single incident or complex PTSD. It is particularly effective at softening strong uncomfortable emotional reactions tied to memories of past events. My primary therapy focus the past 5 years has been trauma/PTSD.

  • Anxiety External link

    My experience using DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) has made me skilled at the application of Mindfulness, Distraction, and Mood Regulation strategies to manage anxious ruminations, dissociation, concentration struggles, and ineffective or self-harming behaviors you may be engaging in to cope with fear or overwhelm.

Contact Sophie

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