Hi, I’m Portia (she/her)
Curious, directive, and compassionate
I deeply believe in your capacity to incite purposeful change in your life. My mission is to help guide you on your path toward healing and connection.
I’ll be your collaborator, cultivating curiosity for how you’ve gotten to where you are… and openness to the possibilities in front of you.
Therapy is a space to feel connected, understood, witnessed, and held accountable. There will be challenging, scary, and wonderful times on your journey, and I’ll be right beside you every step of the way.
My education and training
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW, LCSW) in Washington and New York.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. I currently reside in New York City.
I am trained in various mindfulness, somatic, and attachment-based modalities, as well as Internal Family Systems (IFS). I’ve also completed couples training through the Psychological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) and the Gottman Method.
Outside of work
My clients know I’m a lover of travel and culture. I’ve lived and worked in Spain and El Salvador, and I immerse myself in different cultures around the world whenever possible.
I geek out on language acquisition, and my friends and family know me as a perpetual “code-switcher” (alternating language in a single conversation). I’m currently improving my Punjabi and learning Italian.
When the weather warms up, you can find me outdoors. I’m either on a tennis court improving my game or staying true to my Pacific Northwest roots by exploring hikes in my area.
My philosophy
(San-SAH-rah), derived from the Sanskrit word “samsara,” refers to the cyclical nature of life and existence. It’s the process by which evolution and rebirth occur. With each cycle, we have the opportunity to understand, learn, and iterate a slightly different path.
This process can feel slow and painful, but it eventually leads to transformation.
Healing begins with connection
We will begin our work together by making connections between what’s going wrong in your life and how you cope. We’ll “connect the dots of your history,” identifying patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how you use those patterns to navigate challenges and cope. This is the pivotal first step toward growth and change.
Once we fully understand what is happening, it’s easier to find tools to move in a new direction.
Building the necessary courage
Even still, taking that first step toward a foreign path can feel incredibly scary and uncomfortable.
Together, we will honor this by pacing the journey to a speed that feels attainable for you. We’ll normalize the fear and honor the bravery required to take a leap of faith onto a path that aligns with your true self.
My philosophy is grounded in cultivating a sustainable path toward growth.