Amy Zimmerman

Reaching out to a counselor can be a vulnerable process whether you are seeking counseling for the first time or are looking to start fresh with a new provider. I believe a trusting partnership with your counselor is essential to meeting your goals. My hope is that we will work together to build a place where you feel safe to speak freely and without judgment. Part of building trust with your counselor is knowing a bit about them. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Oregon (#L11818). After spending 20 years as a stay-at-home-Mom, I went back to school to study social work. My schooling includes a BSW from Concordia University Portland and an MSW from George Fox University. In the time I have been a counselor I have worked in community mental health settings as a crisis and then outpatient provider and have gained specialized training in EMDR. I have also completed training in adoption competency (TAC) through ORPARC and have experience working with those in the adoption kinship network. The clients I have served include those experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, caregiver burnout, trauma, and struggles with attachment patterns. I am a native Oregonian and spent much of my childhood in the rural areas of Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, and the Willamette Valley. My husband and I have called the Portland area home for the past 27 years where we have raised our five children, two dogs, and three cats. In my free time I can usually be found reading a book, knitting, hiking, volunteering, or spending time with my family. My approach is one in which I try to build a warm and welcoming therapeutic space. Your relationship with your counselor can be the biggest predictor of success in meeting your goals, and I want to have open dialogue on how well we are working together. When I work with children and teens, I prioritize involving caregivers in the counseling process. It is important that all members of a family system work to understand how they are impacting each other and remain open to change. I like to incorporate elements of psychodynamic theory, narrative theory, attachment theory, and play therapy. As an expert on your own journey, I will encourage you to identify areas of your life where you would like to see positive change, work with you to set goals, and support you on your walk toward a deeper understanding of yourself. Your story matters and I feel privileged you would share it with me. Contact me to set up a free 15-minute consultation 503-791-3802.