It isn’t easy for any of us to transcend the past, or pain we might have suffered. Yet, there are gifts in those pains, and we can choose to let light into the dark places. We are not alone!
- Sark
I have woven a parachute out of everything broken.
-William Stafford
“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
-Irish Proverb
Please feel free to talk with me about any questions or concerns,
Tristen Collins
Therapy offers a unique environment to evaluate our life story, to grieve, heal wounds, assess relationships and improve one's quality of life. It is an honor to accompany clients traveling on this healing path.The therapeutic relationship should be a safe place where you can heal your wounds and work towards change. Therapy can be challenging because change and reviewing your story requires a great deal of courage and perseverance. Big and little traumas can disrupt and hinder the body's natural healing process. Therapy provides ways to work through these obstacles so the body can heal.
I believe we have intrinsic value and possess unique gifts and strengths. We have physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual needs, and all of these components are a part of health and wholeness. I approach therapy from a systemic perspective that is mindful of human interconnectedness. I have an eclectic approach that draws from a variety of theories and tools such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Developmental and Attachment Theory, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
Education: I received my Masters of Arts in Counseling from George Fox University and achieved my undergraduate degree from Multnomah University. Outside of my degrees, I have taken courses specializing in trauma recovery. These courses include Play Therapy with Abused and Traumatized Children; Sensory Motor Psychotherapy; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); Domestic Violence Training; and Trauma and Abuse Recovery training. I presently participate in ongoing supervision, specialty training, and education. Experience: I work with clients on various issues such as relational problems, addictions, anxiety, PTSD, depression, grief, and trauma recovery. I was an intern-therapist at Washington County Community Corrections working with individuals in the community, as well as with clients on probation or parole. I assisted running a Moral "Reconation" Therapy group, as well as a Family Group. I also have experience working as a counselor at Pregnancy Resource Center and have six years experience working with children and parents as a caretaker. I am familiar with intercultural issues and concerns, and have experienced disaster relief as a volunteer with Medical Teams International. Integration of Spirituality: I believe that people reveal the Image of God and are uniquely valuable. Spiritual health is interconnected with our physical, mental, emotional and relational health. I provide a therapeutic environment that is influenced both by professional and faith-centered values. This is a safe place to explore various beliefs and experiences and I enjoy working with clients from various faith perspectives. I believe in the power of love, hope and faith to redeem our pain.