Emily Kittelson, LPC
Counseling and psychotherapy for adults
**Currently only offering telehealth services**
If you've found your way here, I would guess you have been feeling pretty awful lately. Maybe you've felt like this for a long time and you have finally reached a point of desperation. You feel anxious all the time. You might even feel like you are broken or that it's somehow your fault for not getting things right. Perhaps you are a parent who is feeling frustrated and exhausted trying to help your struggling child. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for support when we are already feeling overwhelmed. I know from my own personal experience how hard it can be. I want to help you find your way out of the darkness and into a life with more balance and connection.
I have transitioned fully to remote video or phone counseling sessions until further notice.
About Me
Let me tell you a little about my own story. I felt called to become a counselor after I had my own powerful experience in therapy. I felt like my past was ruling my reality, and I needed help getting un-stuck. It was scary to even just think about opening up to a stranger, much less confront painful emotions that I wanted to put behind me. Counseling was not a quick fix, but I'm glad every day that I reached out for help when I did. In counseling I found new perspectives, new tools and greater connection outside of the therapy office. I learned what true self love really means. There is a path to self compassion and balance - and I want to help you find your own path to healing.
At the risk of sounding cheesy, I really love being a counselor because it feels like such an honor to witness to people's stories of survival and resilience. I am constantly inspired by my clients. I feel passionately about my own personal growth, both in and outside of my work as a counselor. Outside of the office I like exploring spirituality, cooking lots of food, practicing yoga, seeing live music, and urban hiking.
If you are curious about my credentials, I have a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Vermont. I am presently a registered Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon.
How I Work
The latest research shows us that counseling works because a trusting relationship is like a safe container for you to explore the past and learn new ways of being. I am attentive, curious, and an active participant in sessions. My goal is to make a gentle space for you to dig deep into what is getting in the way of you having the fulfilling life you deserve so that we can identify how you can feel more empowered. Sometimes our brains go into "autopilot" mode, operating from past experiences and beliefs that have literally conditioned your brain to repeat the same patterns. I find that gently identifying these patterns can help us get unstuck and take action. I want to guide you with compassion to gain awareness of your own conditioning so that you can live a more intentional and fulfilling life.
My approach to counseling is eclectic. I have been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and this is the foundation of my practice. I also incorporate other theories including attachment theory, narrative therapy, and mindfulness. I am also trauma informed and strengths-based. I integrate these principals in digestible and conversational ways. I like having so many tools at my hands so that I can best meet your individual needs.
I welcome diversity of all sorts, including all races, genders, sexualities, body sizes, abilities, religions and relationship structures. I won't make assumptions about you based on immutable characteristics, and I respect my clients' cultural values. I also regularly work with clients in non-monogamous relationships and who are involved in kink/BDSM communities. I embrace the exploration of your identities and the ways you might have internalized cultural messages about who you are. As your counselor I am dedicated to continuously developing my awareness of the social positions and biases that I hold.
It can take time to find the right counselor - someone whose approach and personality are a good match for you personally. If I am not the right fit, that's okay! I encourage you to try meeting with a few different people before really deciding to invest in building a trusting relationship with a counselor.
Contact Me
My standard rate for a 50 minute counseling session is $120, with limited sliding scale options. Please contact me directly or schedule a consultation to discuss my current sliding scale availability. I accept cash/card/HSA/FSA payments and am currently contracted with Aetna, Cigna and United Healthcare insurance plans. I am also able to provide you with a superbill for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. I currently offer a free 15 minute phone consultation if you would like to connect and see if we might be a good fit for counseling. If you are interested in arranging a free consultation, you may do so by following this link: https://emily-kittelson.clientsecure.me/request/service.
Please see this PDF to learn more about your rights and protections against surprise medical billing: