I have been a counselor for over 28 years seeing individuals, couples and families across the lifespan and from all walks of life. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon. I completed my master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a PhD specializing in Marriage & Family Therapy from Kansas State University. I also completed a two-year post-graduate program in Clinical Human Sexuality at the Menninger Clinic. This blend of training has been useful as I help my clients address both individual and relationship issues (whether their partner joins them or not). I find that, often, the individual and relationship struggles overlap. I have worked in traditional out-patient mental health settings, residential treatment, private practice, forensic assessment and consulting as well as taught for several universities. During my years as a counselor, I have worked with clients struggling with a wide range of issues including those related to depression and anxiety,
adjusting to life changes, relationships, parenting, eating and body image, trauma, substance abuse, anger management, divorce/separation, and sexual abuse.
My counseling style is characterized by collaboration and respect. I tend to have a client-centered view and use psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral strategies. I believe that the systems of which people are a part (family, social, and cultural, for example) have a significant impact on their health and happiness as well as their pain and distress. Commonly, people set out to solve a problem only to have the solution turn out to be unhelpful or even unhealthy over time. I focus on helping clients address the original issues so as to let go of the now-troublesome solution. I have a deep interest in Positive Psychology and believe that there are many ways in which people can increase their own well-being and happiness in their daily lives. I incorporate many interventions from this field into my counseling practice. It can be that removing the pain or discomfort in life doesn't necessarily bring deep happiness and well-being. There are many ways to enhance this in one's life to create resilience when future challenges show up.
If this sounds like a fit with your needs, let's get started!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Compassion fatigue, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Postpartum Depression, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
OR LPC C1268
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Elisa Doebler-Irvine. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I cannot speak highly enough of my time with Elisa, with whom I met near-weekly for three years. She ushered me through one of the most challenging and complex periods of my (and our world's!) life with wisdom, kindness, good humor, and a level of insight that I have found to be incredibly rare anywhere. Elisa is flawlessly professional, highly knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond to listen to, contemplate, and respond to concerns. Not only is she incredibly thoughtful and thorough, she draws from a wealth of experience and modalities, and has always been willing to meet me where I am and wish to be, while gently pointing me in important directions for growth. In my decades of therapy, this has been one of the most productive and positive experiences I have ever had. I sing Elisa's, and by extension Better Help's, praises far and wide. She has truly bettered my life. I do not know how I would have made it through the pandemic and all that it spawned without her; thanks to her expert guidance, my mental, emotional, and spiritual health are even better now than they were pre-pandemic. Thank you, Elisa, and thank you, Better Help.
Written on Apr 05, 2024 after therapy with Elisa for 2 years and 9 months on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
You feel simply lucky to find a therapist that meets your needs. Effortlessly, Elisa helps me identify things by the questions she asks, ideas she proposes, and giving me time to look closer at what I'm truly experiencing. Elisa is a very professional and too good of a therapist to ever doubt what's lacking, I'm honored to share my story with her, she validates me and makes me feel heard.
Written on Jul 03, 2023 after therapy with Elisa for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, anger management, and coping with life changes
She is great, very compassionate and an attentive listener. She will send messages to help aid the therapeutic process between sessions. If you're willing to do the work, she will help you get to a place of understanding and developing some of your blind spots.
Written on Jul 02, 2023 after therapy with Elisa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Elisa has been a gift from the universe. She has an incredible delth of insight and ability to help you see the issues. Not nky to see what the problems are but give you the tools and support u need to fix them. THANK YOU Elisa, for giving me my happy hack.
Written on Nov 28, 2022 after therapy with Elisa for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
I so appreciate the insight Elisa gives me in every session. She always remembers where we've been and where we're going, is able to help me refine/define goals, and she's practical in her approach. She's a good fit for me and I'm grateful!
Written on Aug 29, 2022 after therapy with Elisa for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting issues
Elisa understands that life can be a little chaotic sometimes and is a great ear to talk to. She helps me focus on the positive and find the joy in life.
Written on Jul 28, 2022 after therapy with Elisa for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching