My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, holistic, and integrative. I draw from a variety of modalities, primarily EMDR, IFS, AEDP, Somatic Therapy, Humanistic Existential Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. 

I hold a Master of Counseling specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. My training includes a social justice practicum emphasizing cultural humility and social justice as foundational to ethical counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Certified EMDR Therapist, and a Level 1 AEDP Therapist and I have a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies through the Trauma Research Foundation. My collaboration with trauma-informed yoga practitioners has deepened my respect for the connection between the body and mind, and the vital role of the body in healing trauma. I believe that embodiment is not only a tool for personal healing and authentic living, but also a means of fostering social justice.

I am a Nationally Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors and practice in Oregon as an LPC under license C9045. As part of my commitment to providing the best care, I seek supervision and consultation as needed. I also adhere to Oregon’s mandated reporting laws and will provide information regarding confidentiality limits throughout our work together.

You are already on the journey as you take this step toward therapy, and I can’t wait to meet you.

I use a Person-Centered approach which entails working with you and going to where you want to go in your sessions to begin your experience with counseling. I focus on processing and trusting that process to go deeper into self, life experiences, and developed patterns. I like to use different approaches that I can apply to each unique client.

I am interested in many different modalities of counseling. I have a special interest in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I incorporate Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Trauma Informed Therapy into sessions. EMDR Therapy is also an area of interest for me. Positive Psychology is one focus of mine. I have experience with couples, families, and a generalized group of people.

Working in Multicultural Counseling, I have learned we all have cultures. Culture makes each of us unique. Respecting cultural differences as a counselor is imperative for me and my understanding of clients. I have experience working with people of color, differing sexual orientations, and disabilities. My client’s ages have ranged from 15-75, and I have developed an understanding of each age culture. The pieces of training I have received, and the continuous education that is awaiting will help me to apply your own specific culture into sessions as you need.

If you ask if I am the best match for you, I want to assure you that I will always be my authentic self so you can bring your authentic self to the session. I work to develop a connection with each of my clients that creates trust so I can make a safe place for you. I feel passionate about bringing compassion, care, and a non-judgmental space that will serve you. I always commit to bringing kindness to our sessions. As an attentive listener, I will have an understanding of you as a person. I will meet you where you are and have unwavering faith in you!

I am currently a Qualified Mental Health Professional and a Registered Associate. I am pursuing licensure under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. I follow the LPC code of ethics and am required to follow mandatory reporting laws in Oregon. At times I may seek supervision or consultation and will provide information regarding the limits to confidentiality on an ongoing basis.

I also pursued advanced studies at the University of Louisiana, where I explored the dynamics of supervision between African American therapists and White supervisors for my ABD in Marriage and Family Therapy. Although my dissertation remains a work in progress, my path has led me in new and exciting directions.

My work with you is based on a systemically oriented family therapy model with an emphasis on cultural diversity. Whenever possible, I seek to work with the entire family unit while simultaneously providing individual services to you. As a therapist who works with individuals and families, I take into consideration the complexity of your cultural identity development, which includes ability, gender, race, sexual orientation, preferred gender expression, and any other category of difference that you deem important.

In addition, I use a strength-based model that emphasizes your positive attributes, helping you to understand what is working in your life while simultaneously attempting to build resources to support you in the less productive areas of your life.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Oregon (T2308), and I must follow mandated reporting laws as per state regulations. At times, I may seek consultation and supervision regarding particular situations or as I pursue continuing education. Information regarding the limitations to confidentiality will be provided to clients on an ongoing basis.

I believe everyone should have access to this experiential type of therapy, which can promote your most aware, most integrated self. I also believe in the Collaborative Problem-Solving philosophy: we all want to do well, and when we can’t, something is getting in the way. I want to help clients find this barrier and learn to reframe it for themselves.

I grew up in Springfield in a low-income, strongly feminist household and have been a significant part of multi-generational interactions throughout my lifespan. Time in Arizona and Ohio taught me invaluable perspectives about what makes us all human. I have had the privilege of working with a vast array of people presenting with different diagnoses or problems that bring them to therapy. I am an adoptive parent and have taken extra training through Portland State University to support foster and adoptive systems.

My goal in our community is to build a strong sense of empathy for one another through our own healing. As someone who has walked that path through multiple experiences in counseling, I believe this can be achieved for anyone willing to look inward. I am a good match for clients who are interested in better understanding how their pasts affect their present. Thank you for starting your journey at Edify!

I earned a degree and pursued a career in accounting, and I also hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health. As a Registered Associate, I am working toward my licensure with the Oregon Board of Licensed Counselors and Therapists under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Adhering to the LPC code of ethics, I am committed to mandatory reporting laws in Oregon.

My life experiences, coupled with my education in the arts and clinical mental health, have equipped me to meet you where you are in your journey. I offer tools and professional support as you navigate life’s changes and those moments when you may feel lost or unrecognized, even to yourself. I draw from various counseling theories, tailoring my approach to your unique learning pattern. Techniques I frequently employ include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), motivational interviewing, and existential or life purpose work, all grounded in the principles of Positive Psychology. I believe in harnessing your inherent strengths to find meaning, set goals, and tackle challenges. You can transcend barriers by forging a purposeful life and nurturing relationships with those who truly understand you.

Life is often likened to the changing seasons, each reflecting different facets of our human experience. Spring represents new growth and the challenges of starting afresh; summer offers a time to flourish and expand beyond our limits; fall symbolizes harvest as well as the shedding of the unnecessary; and winter often refers to trauma and loss, but also to rest and recuperation. I am ready to meet you in whichever season you find yourself.

Despite my optimistic nature, I recognize that everyone experiences pain. Familiar with suffering myself, I understand that as social creatures, we are not meant to endure our emotions—be it grief, anger, shame, joy, confusion, or doubt—alone. I am here to provide a safe space for you to express your experiences, dreams, aspirations, and life’s unexpected detours. Together, we can forge new narratives, devise solutions, learn about the body’s and brain’s response to experiences, and develop skills to manage the joys and challenges inherent in each season of life. I look forward to meeting you, learning about you, and accompanying you through the seasons of your life.

I strive to create a therapeutic environment that respects your unique experiences, encourages genuine self-exploration, and ultimately fosters a sense of purpose and connectedness. We’ll work together to manage life’s challenges, uncover your inner strengths, and create meaningful change. I’m dedicated to supporting you on your path toward self-discovery and achieving your highest potential.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My career began in substance use disorder counseling, where I spent five years exploring the connections between addiction, trauma, and mental health. This led me to develop expertise in evidence-based therapies for these issues as well as Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Bipolar disorder.

I find great value in evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Additionally, I’m inspired by Internal Family Systems, Compassionate Inquiry, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, Focusing, and the RAIN method. Staying current with the latest mental health research and best practices is essential to me, and I engage in continuing education and professional development regularly.

Beyond my practice, I’m committed to mental health advocacy, working to destigmatize addiction. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my wife and dogs, reading, spending time outdoors, and connecting with friends over coffee. I understand the importance of self-care and connection for everyone involved in the healing process.

I strive to create a warm, inclusive, and collaborative space where you’ll feel supported as you deepen your self-awareness. To every session, I bring genuine curiosity, openness, compassion, and a non-judgmental approach.

I firmly believe that healing doesn’t occur in isolation. It happens within the context of our communities and our relationship with the environment. This holistic perspective shapes my approach to therapy, where I strive to create a space that fosters connection and empowers individuals to thrive within their interconnected world.

I hold a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. The program’s emphasis on Community Mental Health resonated with my desire to increase equitable access to mental health services. This passion was further fueled by my prior experience in sustainable agriculture and outdoor education. These experiences instilled in me a love for growth, connection, and the intricate ways we influence and are influenced by the systems around us.

My therapeutic approach is informed by Liberation Psychology, systems thinking, and social justice principles. I draw from a variety of counseling theories to best support my clients in reaching their goals. These include Trauma-Informed Care, strengths-based models, Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory, Narrative Therapy, Eco-Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My love of the outdoors and belief in the healing power of nature are often woven into sessions through nature-based metaphors, mindfulness practices, and body-based approaches. I find my own healing by seeking out rivers, mountains, and birdsong whenever possible.

I am a Registered Associate working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I work under the supervision of a licensed practitioner and adhere to the LPC code of ethics. To best support you, there may be times when I seek supervision or consultation. As such, I will provide ongoing information regarding limits to confidentiality. I am also a Licensed Professional CoActive Coach (LPCC) and an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.

I have gained experience through various opportunities that have helped me become more competent in different aspects of mental and physical health. I worked at Bushnell University as a student-athlete mental health counselor and as an intern at their clinic. These experiences in the mental health field allowed me to engage with diverse concerns and variables. As a student-athlete counselor, I had the unique opportunity to integrate both physical and mental health in a meaningful way.

I was also fortunate to work at Olympus Health as a medical assistant, allowing me to apply my knowledge in both fields. In addition to my roles as a student-athlete counselor, intern, and medical assistant, I also worked at Rehabilitation Medicine Associates as a medical assistant and at Monte Nido Rain Rock as a recovery coach.

I am the oldest of three siblings, Mahima Chotu and Avishek Chotu. Though they can be annoying at times, they are both honestly hilarious. My parents, Ramita Singh and Ritesh Chotu, have been instrumental in my pursuit of higher education. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goals as easily without them. I also want to mention my Aji, Aja, Nani, and Fua—they are the bread, butter, and doodh cha of our family.

My counseling style takes a holistic approach, viewing concerns comprehensively. By considering all aspects of a situation, I address the core issue while acknowledging the biological, psychological, and social factors that shape an individual’s experience. This framework, combined with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, helps guide individuals toward their highest potential. My perspective is rooted in a humanistic approach, incorporating existential and narrative therapy while maintaining a person-centered focus.

A humanistic perspective emphasizes the process of growth and self-discovery. Existential therapy focuses on choice and responsibility—every decision we make carries consequences, and acknowledging this can empower individuals to make meaningful choices. Narrative therapy allows individuals to detach from their concerns and view challenges objectively, reducing stress and improving decision-making. By integrating these approaches, I aim to help clients understand themselves more deeply, gain clarity, and take control of their lives.

I am passionate about working with a wide range of concerns and believe in the possibility of improvement in any situation. However, I am particularly drawn to concerns related to anxiety, depression, substance use, life transitions, relationship dynamics, and family conflicts.

My primary goal as a counselor is to understand and support people through their worldview. One of the biggest differences between individuals is perception, which shapes perspective. By understanding your perspective, I can better grasp how you process experiences, allowing me to support you effectively. Another goal of mine is to continuously grow in my field. While I have prior knowledge and experience, I recognize that there is always more to learn. The field of mental health is constantly evolving, and I strive to stay informed to better serve my clients.

What distinguishes me as a counselor is my ability to organize and recall life events in a chronological manner while helping clients process their thoughts with clarity. Clarity comes from seeking truth, and by structuring thoughts in a way that aligns with your reality, I can support your understanding of your own life. Although awareness and knowledge are shaped by personal experiences, your worldview is important to me. By understanding how you see the world, we can work collaboratively to provide the guidance and support you need.

Although I may not be directly assisting you, I firmly believe that effective administration serves as the backbone of any successful endeavor. I’m wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting our therapists in their mission to assist you on your journey to well-being.

Beyond my desk duties, you’ll often find me curled up with a captivating book, immersed in a painting project, or embarking on a scenic hike along the numerous picturesque trails nearby. These activities rejuvenate me and keep me inspired. Given the chance, I cherish the prospect of immersing myself in the wonders of diverse cultures in new countries. It’s a dream of mine to explore and experience as many different cultures as possible, and I’m determined to check off as many countries as I can from my travel bucket list.

For several years, I held the same role at a small therapy office in Vermont where I learned that every person in the world grapples with their unique challenges. Connecting with someone who listens proved to be the most powerful form of healing. My travels across the United States, Europe, and India reinforced the idea that beneath our surface differences, we all share fundamental similarities. My ambition is to touch as many lives as possible, and this is just the beginning. I’ve set my sights on returning to school to become a speech pathologist and audiologist, with a focus on helping children who could benefit from my expertise.

I am genuinely thrilled to be part of the Edify Therapy team, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to get to know each and every one of you better. Together, we can make a positive impact and create a brighter future.