Trauma Therapy in Portland

Without Professional Support, Most People Fall Back Into Unhealthy Trauma Patterns 

The hallmark of trauma is that it keeps people stuck in cycles of fear, guilt, shame, and loneliness. That's why many people who've experienced an abusive relationship—especially if it took place in childhood—are likely to keep getting into abusive relationships. Because of how trauma has eroded their self-confidence and sense of objectivity, it's hard for them to remove themselves from harmful situations.

What trauma survivors need is someone who can bear witness to their pain, validate their feelings and reactions, and help guide them out of toxic and abusive relationships. As a mental health professional who specializes in treating trauma, with unique experience as a first responder during 9/11 and extensive work with traumatized populations from refugee camps internationally, I am confident that I can fill that role in your life.

A Life Of Healing and Recovery Awaits Through The Power Of Trauma Therapy in Portland

The work of helping patients overcome their traumas is richly rewarding. It takes a lot of time, support, and willingness to bear quiet witness to the hardships they've endured, but the outcomes are truly beautiful. People become whole again and live freely and thrive. Suddenly the past doesn't weigh so heavily on them and they can move through life without feeling threatened, defensive, or overly reactive.

In counseling with me at Mary E. Theodore, MD, MPH Psychiatry in Northwest Portland, you'll have a safe place to disclose your trauma without fear of judgment and explore how it has affected your confidence, your thinking, and your interpersonal relationships. We'll look at what trauma has taken away from you, as there is often an enormous sense of loss that comes with trauma—loss of trust, loss of love, or loss of safety. We'll help you deal with the grief of your loss and work through the maladaptive ways you've learned to cope with it over time.

From my convenient Nob Hill location at 2250 NW Flanders St, I offer therapy for trauma survivors of all kinds, including survivors of sexual abuse, child abuse, and narcissistic relationships. My practice is easily accessible from Northwest 23rd Avenue, Good Samaritan Hospital, and surrounding neighborhoods including the Pearl District, Northwest District, and downtown Portland. The long-term goal is to help you stabilize your mood through the use of medication and overcome longstanding trauma patterns through the power of psychotherapy.

What To Expect In Trauma Treatment Sessions

Since I am both a therapist and a Board Certified psychiatrist, trained at prestigious institutions including Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School), Cornell New York Hospital-Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center, I'm able to provide a more comprehensive approach to treatment than most practitioners. Below are some of the main areas we'll focus on in trauma therapy:

Diagnoses and medical testing—Trauma often goes hand in hand with anxiety, depression, and various phobias. We'll evaluate for any co-occurring psychiatric conditions and conduct medical testing to rule out any other causes of your symptoms. Research shows that approximately 6% of U.S. adults will have PTSD at some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men to develop the condition.

Mindfulness practices—I'll teach you grounding techniques and deep breathing exercises that you can use when trauma reactions overwhelm your senses, whether you're at home in Irvington, walking through Forest Park, or navigating stressful situations downtown. I'll also teach you visualization practices for imagining different reactions and formulating a future where you are healthy and thriving.

Insight-oriented psychotherapy—You'll learn to normalize your trauma reactions, identify the ways you were manipulated, and enact new ways to respond to people or things that trigger your trauma. Drawing from my fellowship training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Columbia University and my decades of experience treating trauma survivors internationally, I may even refer you to literature that helps with psychoeducation, giving you new insights into your trauma and helping you intellectualize your struggles.

Medication management—Medication is an optional part of treatment, but it can go a long way in helping you stabilize your mood and manage your trauma symptoms. With my specialized training in psychopharmacology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, we'll discuss your pharmaceutical options and come up with a treatment plan that's comfortable for you, whether that involves medication or not.

Healing From Trauma in the Portland Metro Area

Whether you're a professional working in the Lloyd District, a student at Portland State University or Reed College, or a family in neighborhoods like Beaumont-Wilshire or Woodstock, it takes tremendous courage to address trauma. But when you have an experienced and trusted therapist who makes you feel safe and validated, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel awaiting you.

You May Have Some Questions About Trauma Therapy…

Will you tell me to leave my relationship if it’s toxic or abusive?

This decision is ultimately yours, as I recognize that there are many complex reasons you might choose to stay in or leave your relationship (e.g., if you have children together or your other options are limited). My focus will be on teaching you to identify negative patterns and helping you boost your self-confidence and self-advocacy skills. This way, you’ll be able to confront toxic, abusive, or narcissistic people in a way that allows you to be heard and doesn’t escalate difficult situations.

How long will trauma therapy take? 

Lifelong patterns that have become deeply ingrained can take a long time to overcome. It takes courage, perseverance, and determination to find freedom from these shackles. The good news is that you have made it this far, and that speaks to your strength and resilience. Although it can take months—or even years—to fully heal from trauma, it's possible to find relief early on in the process through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. My extensive training across multiple residencies at Harvard-affiliated hospitals and Cornell-Columbia Presbyterian, combined with decades of clinical experience, ensures you receive the most comprehensive care possible.

What if talking about my trauma makes me feel worse?

Talking about traumatic experiences isn't easy, and the road to recovery isn't linear. It's normal to feel vulnerable and emotional at times, but I am here to honor your grief and remind you that healing is within reach. Throughout my years as a healer, including my work as a first responder at Ground Zero on 9/11 and conducting trauma assessments in Kosovo after the Allied bombings, I've helped numerous trauma patients process and resolve their pain and get to a place where trauma no longer controls their lives. I'm confident that I can help you achieve the same outcome.

You Have a Profound Capacity For Healing

Whether you're trying to heal from an abusive relationship, a painful loss, a violent event, or any other traumatic experience, you are capable—and worthy—of a future where you are in control of your life. At Mary E. Theodore, MD, MPH Psychiatry, serving the Portland metro area from our Northwest Portland office, I bring a unique combination of medical expertise, psychiatric training, and decades of international trauma experience to help you on your healing journey.

To learn more about my Portland practice and approach to trauma therapy, you can use the contact form or call 646-593-2134.

Serving patients throughout greater Portland from my Nob Hill office at 2250 NW Flanders St #310, with convenient access from Northwest 23rd Avenue, the Pearl District, and surrounding neighborhoods. Also providing care to patients in New York, New York through telehealth and in-person sessions.