Your nervous system was hardwired at a young age to ignore your needs, to push away your feelings
You feel your throat close, your temperature rise, your heart rate increase. You want to be seen, heard, and deeply understood. But sometimes, you don’t even know where to start, or how. The fact is, this isn’t your fault. Your nervous system was hardwired at a young age to ignore your needs, to push away your feelings. This is because it was not safe. Maybe you experienced relational trauma and neglect in childhood. This had a profound impact on how you relate to others and find safety within connection. Maybe you were parentified or had to grow up way too soon. Now you’re wondering how to access your deepest feelings and needs, much less how to communicate them to loved ones. And when do you try to speak your mind, you often feel dismissed or judged.
Much of my work stems around self-empowerment, emotional regulation, and finding your voice. Click here to learn more about my background, approach, & experience.
While I offer psychotherapy, I also believe in the power of the arts, namely music. Music therapy can help you access the deeper things, especially when traditional talk therapy has not helped. Whether that is listening to a song together, songwriting, or even improvising, music therapy provides a space for processing and understanding when words are not sufficient. You’ve had a difficult time putting your experience into words, and music can be another avenue for expression and empowerment.
Meet your queer-affirming and neurodivergent-affirming therapist in Portland, Oregon!
Services
I offer a number of specialties and modalities in my work. Click below to learn more!
Therapy for Complex Trauma
You continue to find yourself in relational cycles that leave you feeling drained, misunderstood, frustrated, and ultimately, hurt. You desperately want to find healing within yourself and within your relationships. Utilizing various modalities, we will address the core wounds, the needs that were left unmet, and ultimately find empowerment & self-acceptance through this work.
Therapy for Religious Trauma
What do I actually believe? How do I live my life now? These and many more questions are asked by those who have survived spiritual trauma. We will explore the core beliefs you were raised and/or indoctrinated with. We will also work to identify what core beliefs empower you now and help you live the life you want and deserve to live.
Music Therapy
Music can be another avenue for expression and empowerment. Music therapy can help you access the deeper things, especially when traditional talk therapy has not helped. Click down below to learn more about this looks like!
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
You feel alone in big crowds. You often feel misunderstood, judged, and not seen for who you really are. In our work together, we will focus on emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and authentic expression of your feelings and needs.
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy
You felt like you couldn't be your true self for so long. And once you started to accept your identity and sexual orientation, not everyone in your life accepted you. This grief has stayed with you.We will open up the space for you to grieve who you could have been if you had felt safer to come out sooner.
What people are saying:
"Esther is a creative clinician who weaves together complex trauma therapy with a deeply authentic and neurospicy affirming care lens. She doesn't just treat trauma; she creates a rich, transformative space where marginal individuals can be themselves." - Jennifer W.
"Esther brings rare creativity to complex trauma and attachment work, weaving music therapy into deep relational care. She creates an affirming space where clients can access feelings words alone can't reach."- Nikah C.
"Esther is a strong, compassionate therapist who understands those who she works with. She recognizes those characteristics that make her clients unique and is willing to do what is needed to help them be their true authentic selves. I would recommend her." - Holly L.
"If you are struggling with trauma-, anxiety-related symptoms, and looking for someone who can blend music and warmth into therapy, look no further than Esther! Her presence and skills/training in music and therapy will bring robust support to your journey." - Sookyoung C.