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About Kate

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I have always found that helping others is my passion. Before becoming a counselor, I worked for many years as a research coordinator with patients and their families fighting end-stage cancer.

 

That experience showed me the amazing resilience and strength that people have within. It propelled me to help others harness this inner strength and change their lives for the better. 

Kate's Methods

I use a blend of various techniques, depending on the individual needs of the client. Some of the techniques I use most include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - examining how your thoughts are impacting your emotions and behaviors. 

  • Solution-focused Therapy - enhancing your strengths and habits that are working well in your life.

  • Motivational Interviewing - exploring and resolving ambivalence to help you make behavior changes.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy - a highly effective and extensively researched treatment for relieving psychological stress. 

  • Supervision - I provide individual supervision for Associates who have graduated with a Master's degree and are pursuing licensure with the Oregon Board as an LPC or LMFT. I am an Approved Supervisor on the list with the OBLPCT. 

Kate's Credentials/Training
  • Masters degree (MA) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon

  • EMDR Trained - Level I and II 

Getting to know Kate

I relocated to Oregon after spending most of my life in Colorado. In my spare time, I enjoy playing board games with my son and daughter, visiting tasty restaurants, watching documentaries, reading historical fiction, singing, having living room dance parties, and traveling pretty much anywhere.

About Ashlie

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I have always loved hearing people’s stories and helping them identify the strengths they have developed through their experiences. Before joining Empower Therapy, I spent my time as a therapist working in community and school-based mental health, where I had the privilege of working with individuals and families from many walks of life. A great deal of my experience has been focused on addressing individual and intergenerational trauma. I believe that people can process these challenging experiences and become the writer of their own story, healing and thriving on their own terms. 

Ashlie's Methods

Some of the techniques I use most include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - examining how your thoughts are impacting your emotions and behaviors. 

  • Solution-focused Therapy - enhancing your strengths and habits that are working well in your life.

  • Motivational Interviewing - exploring and resolving ambivalence to help you make behavior changes.

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Examines thoughts related to traumatic events

Ashlie's Credentials/Training
  • Masters degree (MS) in Counseling from Western Oregon University

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon

  • Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS)

Getting to know Ashlie

I am a born and raised Oregonian. I enjoy camping, hiking, and going to the coast (even in the rain). I love spending time with my son, my husband, our two cats, and our hamster. I do a lot of crafts like needle felting, painting, and making cool things out of clay. 

About Elena

I believe that individuals gain strength and the ability to overcome their challenges through
sharing their stories in a safe and compassionate environment. My personal philosophy is to
utilize core counseling skills, such as unconditional acceptance, empathy, and genuineness, while
providing a non-judgmental space for my clients to be able to explore their inner emotional
world, past experiences, and current challenges. I view clients through a strength-
based lens.


Some of my areas of specialty include working with teens and pre-teens and adults, those with
PTSD, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I also provide affirming care for
LGBTQIA+ individuals.


Elena's Methods
I use a person-centered approach with my clients, which focuses on providing them with empathy
and acceptance through our therapeutic relationship, but I also use other therapeutic interventions
and approaches on an as-needed basis. These include:

  • Internal Family Systems Therapy – This evidence-based form of psychotherapy works by

     connecting with various parts of the psyche and getting to know these parts to treat, such
     issues as trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues and more.

  • Written Exposure Therapy (WET) -- This method involves utilizing writing to assist

      clients in processing past trauma.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) -- This form of psychotherapy assists the client in

     examining thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, and to move towards thinking patterns which
     aid them in creating happy life circumstances.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy – This evidence-

     based approach assists in reducing symptoms of disorders such as PTSD, depression, and
     anxiety, among others. ​


Elena's Credentials/Training

  • Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University

  • Professional Counselor Associate

  • EMDR Trained Level I and II


Getting to know Elena
I was born and raised here in the Willamette Valley. I enjoy spending time with my daughter and
my cats, going out to eat, trave
ling, sewing and crafting.

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