I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the States of California and Oregon with over 35 years of experience in a wide variety of settings, working with differing populations and ages. I have helped others who are looking to start or maintain their healing journey or are experiencing obstacles such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, addictions and trauma (including multi-generational trauma). My clinical focus is on individual adult men and women from various ethnic backgrounds. It has become abundantly clear to me (especially since working within a global Telehealth format) that regardless of where we come from or our individual life story, we all share the common needs for purpose, meaning, and value in our lives. Those who have worked with me on BetterHelp know that I pay close attention to words, love metaphors, and use humor when it is appropriate to do so. My style is warm and actively engaging and my approach pulls from various sources including solution-focused, dialectical behavior, narrative, and experiential therapies. I can't believe it has been over 6 years since I joined BH. I have developed a model "in honor" of this milestone. I hope it brings clarity to you as to how I may approach your situation. I look forward to meeting you: Joy’s CHIPS Model© … Chipping away at human problems Cognitive Distortions - checking in on narratives Communication - listening vs hearing, stonewalling, ghosting Comparisons - soul killer Compassion - Kindness towards Self? Others? Regret & Resentments Context - environment, culture, religion, health Control - can/can’t (anxiety/panic, codependency, addictions), fear of losing Healthy Distractions - Skills & Tools Honesty - transparency Humility - gratitude? narcissism? I - Am I making it all about me? codependency? narcissism? I - Interpretations & Assumptions, Emotional Maturity Patience Paying Attention - and Mindfulness Petrified - including fear of feeling better Physical - health, including its cause for MH issues Projection - onto others & forecasting Proof - of assumptions Purpose Self-Awareness Self-Sabotage Substances Support System Gratitud porque el corazón aprendió Gratitude because the heart learned Que agradecer es vivir mejor That being thankful is living better

I am licensed in South Carolina ,Georgia , Florida, Oregon,and North Carolina with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am currently licensed in Iowa and Nebraska with over 26 years of professional work experience. The bulk of my career has been in community-based settings as I felt this type of setting was where I could give back to those that have helped me and my family of origin. I had a mother that was bi-polar and had a significant borderline personality disorder. Her first major hospitalization occurred following my birth. I have grown up in the Midwest but have lived in California and South Carolina as well as serving in the US military with one deployment to Afghanistan in which I served as the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Human Intelligence component of a Brigade Combat Team. I have a grown gay son and feel that my own healing process in coming to terms with my feelings toward my mentally ill mother were greatly facilitated by friendships in the queer community and feel a great depth of gratitude and respect for this community. I have been divorced, struggled with my own addiction, co-dependency and mental health issues throughout my lifetime and have carried various mental health diagnoses at different times in my life as well. I don't look at myself as complete expert on life but to quote Brene' Brown: "I might just be a little further down the road in recovery is all". I view therapy as more of an art form in that there are skills and techniques that can be learned and applied to the work of art that is being created, but it is the process involved that brings out the beauty of the final product. I understand the importance of being heard and feel that a person’s truth can emerge through a collective experience in the interaction and engagement with another human being. I hope to bring my experience in life and working with others to your life experience. I view it as a privilege to be able to be a part of the understanding of another person’s life and hope to be part of this journey with you.

My name is "Ms. Tam" or "Ms. Hicks" and I am here to help. I am a licensed mental health professional and I will be able to partner with you on this journey. I am pleased you have selected me as your therapist. I have a strong client base for issues with anxiety, depression, and trauma. The first session dives deep into what will scratch the surface and open certain doors to rooms and places the client wants and needs to explore; or not. I recommend minimum 3 sessions to build upon your toolbox to help manage your symptoms. I have learned that I am not for everyone and everyone is not for me. I am a whole vibe professionally speaking. Therapy is a journey one in which the client is in the drivers seat and the therapist is in the passenger seat, shotgun! The client that wants to get to the root of the pain, hurt, awkwardness, craziness, sadness, the list goes on is a great match with Ms. Tam. The client that also pulls from hope, spirit, experience, the unknown is a match with me. Its helpful for the client to remain open throughout at least 3-6 sessions after the first assessment/session in order to fully rate symptom change. If you are looking for a diverse and inclusive minded therapist, with years of experience in life, education, social services, and mental health services consider myself. I will try to help you. All counseling sessions will be treated with strict confidentiality and is protected by state and federal laws.

My approach is supportive and practical, focused on making real, steady progress in ways that feel sustainable. I work with individuals navigating a range of concerns, including anxiety, workplace stress, social anxiety, low self-esteem, communication challenges, conflict avoidance, perfectionism, people pleasing, relationship dynamics, identity questions, grief, and life changes. My goal is to help you feel more connected to yourself and more grounded in the life you want to create. Together, we’ll find tools that work for you so you can meet future challenges with more clarity and confidence. People are complex, and each person brings their own history, strengths, and struggles. I meet you where you are, stay steady through the hard parts, and keep the work collaborative and respectful.

I am an Oregon Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (LCSW). I am credentialed in addictions--CADC I, and I am also credentialed in MRT, a reality therapy which has been proven to be particularly effective in correctional institutions. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Hawaii Pacific College (now a University) in Honolulu. I graduated with my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1989. After spending 22 year living and working in Hawaii, and having attended the School of Social Work where all of our classes had an emphasis on cultural awareness, I grew my appreciation for cultural differences. My goal through the years in the field of mental health has been to become versatile in working with all genders of all ages, cultures and religious beliefs. My general approach is psychoeducational. I do CBT. I am Adlerian in premise. Most previous to working for BetterHelp and Regain, I did seven years in crisis intervention covering the whole county by myself at night which involved an array of clinical presentations such as suicidality, homicidality, psychosis, chronic mental illness, intoxication, and emotion dysregulation, in an array of locations such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, the county jail, police stations, offices, schools, respite facilities, residential facilities, homes, truck stops, businesses, fields, roads, and other public places. Prior to crisis work, I worked as an outpatient therapist in a community mental health agency and prior to that I worked as a dual-diagnosis therapist in a methadone clinic where I did trauma treatment and addictions counseling. I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a brain stimulation technique for trauma treatment and anxiety. During the first 13 years of my career, I did contract work as a child and family therapist, adoption social work, and I also had a private practice wherein I did individual therapy for military dependents and couples' counseling. I take a mediation approach with an emphasis on triggers, communication and love languages.

I am licensed in Indiana with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, & lgbt-related issues. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I am a dive-right-in type of therapist and feel honored to be apart of the healing process with you!

I'm a therapist that focuses on techniques and strategies that work, and I see progress with my clients pretty quickly. I'm licensed in Oklahoma with 14 years of experience as a therapist and over 17 years of experience in mental health. I have experience in helping clients with executive functioning (ADHD and autism), stress and anxiety, queer/lgbtq+ issues, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID/multiple personalities), & coping with life changes. I use many therapeutic models or perspectives, primarily focusing on how systemic and institutional barriers affect mental, emotional, and behavioral health and well-being. I'm queer-friendly. I strongly believe anyone and everyone can benefit from therapy. I do not use or believe in the "medical model" of mental health, so I do not attempt to "cure" "mental illness", but recognize that mental health is complicated and "mental illness" is mostly a survival response.

I am licensed in Michigan with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Feeling respected and accepted are essential characteristics in a working relationship. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I use different methods of therapy. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Ohio, Oregon, and Arizona with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Brenda

I am licensed in Oregon with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with adults to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Oregon with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Florida with over 20 years of professional work experience in end of life, hospice care, as well as working with teens and young adults at the start of life. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. I am client centered and that means you decide what we need to talk about in therapy. My goal is to cater this room to your needs and preferences.

As a licensed therapist in Oregon, I bring over two decades of compassionate mental health experience to my practice. My approach centers on understanding and supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, with specialized expertise in depression, anxiety, family dynamics, trauma recovery, and mood disorders. I am an adhd specialist and trained to complete evaluations for children, teens and adults. I am deeply committed to creating a supportive, affirming therapeutic environment where clients can explore their challenges and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My work is grounded in evidence-based practices that honor each person's unique journey and inherent strengths. Through collaborative and empathetic counseling, I aim to help individuals build resilience, gain insights, and cultivate healthier emotional patterns. I believe in meeting each client exactly where they are, offering gentle guidance and unconditional support throughout their healing process. My professional background reflects a profound dedication to mental wellness and a genuine passion for helping people transform their lives with compassion, respect, and understanding.