About Bending Reed Counseling
About Bending Reed Counseling
Why Bending Reed?
Why Bending Reed?
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"The reed that bends with the wind does not break" - Chinese proverb
Rather than having fixed, rigid selves, we are constantly in relationship with the world around us—shaped by it and shaping it in exchange. With each small moment of contact, something in us responds: we learn, we are challenged, a new facet of ourselves emerges that we had not yet seen. The bending reed speaks not only to resilience in the face of adversity, but to adaptability: the strength that comes from staying rooted while remaining open to movement and change. Our wholeness is not found in rigidity, nor in losing ourselves, but in the grounded flexibility that allows us to be both steady and responsive.
Therapeutic Approach:
Therapeutic Approach:
Insight, Authenticity, and Choice
Insight, Authenticity, and Choice
I believe growth comes through deeper self-knowledge, integrating both the known and unknown parts of ourselves. When we better understand what is driving us beneath the surface, we can move toward greater congruence between our inner worlds and our outward actions, leading to more authenticity in our relationships and greater clarity in our choices. Our bodies and physical sensations often hold important clues about unconscious experiences, and for those interested I incorporate somatic awareness practices into our work. I enjoy helping people reconnect with what lights them up, and bringing curiosity and playfulness into the process of self-exploration. I especially enjoy helping people shift out of codependent relational dynamics and move toward greater personal empowerment. My work is heavily informed by the philosophy and practice of Nonviolent Communication, which is my primary framework for couples and family work. I also offer trainings and teach courses in this framework.
My approach integrates mindfulness, somatic awareness, and insight-oriented therapy. I draw from Gestalt, DBT, somatic experiencing, existential and transpersonal therapies, secular Buddhist philosophy, Jungian archetypal and shadow work, and Internal Family Systems. As a musician and improv lover, I also enjoy incorporating the expressive arts into therapy when wanted. I value social justice and welcome exploration of how our identities, social locations, and experiences of power and oppression shape mental health and wellbeing. My goal is to offer warmth, presence, and steady support as you explore the many facets of who you are.
Therapy Services
Therapy Services
I offer sessions via telehealth, or in-person walking therapy in local forested parks in SW Portland.
Serving:
Serving:
Individuals
Couples
Families
Groups
Addressing:
Addressing:
Anger issues
Assertiveness skill-building
Attachment issues
Codependency
Communication issues
Creative blocks
Developmental and interpersonal trauma
Existential concerns
Gender identity and sexual orientation
Identity issues
Isolation
Life Purpose
Life Transitions
People-pleasing
Polyamory and ENM
Relationship issues
Self-actualization
Self-esteem issues
Sexuality
Shadow work
Spirituality
Twelve-step support
Techniques:
Techniques:
Gestalt
Existential
Somatic
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Jungian Therapy
Person-Centered
Transpersonal
Expressive Arts
Dialectical (DBT)
Mindfulness-based
Fees:
Free initial consultation
$165 for individuals
$200 for couples/families
Sliding scale available for those who need it
Unfortunately I do not take insurance at this time. I can bill as an out-of-network provider (check if your insurance will cover), and can take HSA cards
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