Portland Therapy Center
Tristan Smith

Tristan Smith (He/Him)

Clinical Social Work Associate

MSW, CSWA

My intention to is to cultivate a space that honors their current reality while also collaborating with them to cultivate fulfilling skills.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

9712169923

1500 Northeast Irving Street

Portland, 97232

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $100-$150

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2024

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource
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My Ideal Client

If you’re facing uncertainties in your life and are ready to embrace the journey, consider how sitting with tough times can lead to growth. This is a part of life! Developing introspection and critically examining your choices and environment can clarify your path forward. We will work together to create the best path for you moving forward. Through holistic and reflective listening, we will make foundational changes that your future self will be grateful for. Consistency a tremendous power.

My Background and Approach

I have a passion for supporting individuals on their journey toward healing, growth, and self-understanding. Born and raised in Portland, I have always been deeply curious about the world and how we can transform it, both individually and collectively. My experiences working with at-risk youth and individuals struggling with addiction have reinforced my belief in the power of human connection, empathy, and resilience. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University, where I was trained in a wide range of therapeutic approaches, but I have always been drawn to holistic methods that address the mind, body, and spirit. I believe that true healing requires more than just symptom management; it involves understanding the underlying emotional, psychological, and physical factors that contribute to one’s struggles. My approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, focusing on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore themselves.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I was born and raised in Portland, and for as long as I can remember, I have always possessed a deep curiosity about the world. Why is it the way it is? How can we change it? The love I have received from my family throughout my life has taught me that the human bond is the greatest power we, as humans, have to offer this world. Therefore, it is truly a privilege for me to be of service to you. The education I received in both undergraduate and graduate school has awakened a sensitive and critical-thinking lens within me, allowing me to believe that people who seek to understand both the world around them and the world within them are bound by nothing. My priority as a therapist is to be the best resource I can be for you, and to work together to build a healthier future while striving for more internal and external validation.

Techniques I Use

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Drug Dependence / Abuse / Addiction External link

    As someone who has personally navigated addiction and its challenges, I bring a deep, empathetic understanding to my work. My experience is further enriched by my education, where I studied the systemic factors and trauma that often underpin addiction. I approach addiction with a holistic, trauma-informed lens, recognizing that healing involves addressing not just behaviors, but the underlying emotional and environmental factors that contribute to substance use.

  • Adjustment Disorder External link

    Life is full of adjustments in one way or another. Having worked with at-risk youth and in addiction services, I have seen that how we handle adjustments throughout our lives is a reflection of the direction we are heading. I aim to assist clients in identifying unhealthy coping mechanisms and developing effective strategies for emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience. Stronger strategies allow for greater balance when challenging incidents arise in one's life.

  • Abuse External link

    Abuse deeply impacts our way of thinking and feeling about the world. Through my vocational experience, I have observed that any form of abuse shapes our behavior and coping mechanisms. Many people turn to various endeavors to avoid confronting the trauma, perpetuating a cycle of pain and stunted growth. Developing introspection, understanding our external environment, and building internal validation are key foundational steps in reducing the impact that abuse can have on us.

Contact Tristan

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