Approaching therapy with trust and non-judgment, allowing for exploration, growth, and meaningful change.
Portland, OR
and Telehealth
About the Practice
Mental health counseling for those looking to better understand challenging thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
There are many reasons to pursue counseling. It could be something very specific that you would like to work on, or you might be unsure why things are not feeling right in your life. You might be experiencing challenges in a romantic relationship, feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, or bogged down by sadness, loneliness, or stress. Maybe you have just gone off to college, lost a loved one, are struggling with dating or maintaining friendships, have moved to a new city, or you just feel bad and don't know why. In any of these cases, counseling can offer you greater insight into your experiences, provide relief, and lead you to a clearer path forward.
David Hanna
Professional Counselor Associate, M.A.
I work with: Adults, Teens (14+)
I received my M.A. in Professional Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Addictions from Lewis & Clark College, and a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College. Prior to becoming a counselor, I gained experience working in the fields of social work, education, and in the service industry.
I was drawn to becoming a therapist through my own work in counseling, and through the experience of the power of a trusting, supportive, and caring relationship. The connection I felt with my therapist helped me look at challenging experiences and emotions that I could feel closed off to on my own. From these understandings, I became interested in working with people who feel stuck in their life, overwhelmed with anxiety, having concerns about romantic relationships, sexuality, grief, and depression.
In my personal life, I enjoy visiting record shops and discovering new music, spending time outdoors, exercising, traveling, and watching movies with my partner.
I am currently only able to accept clients who reside in the state of Oregon.
Approaches
I approach counseling primarily from an Existential orientation, while also integrating principles from Pyschodynamic counseling, Motivational Interviewing, and Humanistic psychotherapy. I believe that by developing an understanding of where strong or uncomfortable emotions come from, linking past and present experiences, and approaching individuals without judgment can create a clearer path towards meaningful change.
- From this lens, I approach counseling with an appreciation for the way that every individual possesses an intuition about what they need and are driven towards greater well-being. Additionally, I believe that the primary sources of distress in life arise from circumstances which limit one's sense of freedom, threats to security or safety, and a lack of connection or belonging with others. With this in mind, I believe it is important to explore the ways that one has developed rigid, avoidant, or reactive states of being, and to understand these patterns as attempts to manage life's fundamental uncertainties.
- From this theoretical frame, we will consider how your past affects you in the present. Sometimes we do not know why we feel the way we do, why patterns of conflict emerge across different relationships, or why we feel powerful emotions like fear or anxiety sometimes out of the blue. Building insight around what is not fully understood, feared, or brings about shame can illuminate a path forward and provide a sense of relief.
- Family systems therapy is a counseling approach that views an individual’s struggles within the context of their family relationships. It emphasizes that families function as interconnected systems, where changes in one person’s behavior can impact the entire group. The therapy often focuses on improving communication, clarifying roles and boundaries, and shifting unhelpful patterns of interaction. By strengthening the family system, each member is better supported in their growth and well-being.
- A collaborative, person-centered approach designed to strengthen motivation and commitment to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. MI is an evidence-based method that employs specific communication techniques—including open questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries—to elicit arguments for change. Central to MI is the spirit of partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation, creating a non-confrontational environment where people discover their intrinsic motivation for positive behavioral change.
Areas of Interest
Values
At the core of my approach to counseling is the belief that all people possess the potential to make positive changes for themselves and others. Despite hardship, traumatizing experiences, and other sources of suffering, I believe that the connection fostered between people can be a source of change and recovery. This connection between counselor and client is achieved through mutual investment in the counseling process, non-judgement, and trust.
While counseling can be a means of bringing about change, I also recognize the limitations of the practice to alter the systemic drivers of inequality and suffering. Therefore, I find it important as a counselor to understand the differences between psychological and social or systemic adversity, in the interest of my clients feeling more understood in their unique lived experiences. It is my goal to appreciate the universal, cultural, and individual experiences each of my clients embody.
Pricing
Pricing
Free
30 minute consultation to see if working together will be a good fit
$150
50 minute sessions
$180
90 minute couple sessions
At this time, I am accepting Moda, PacificSource, Providence, Regence, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Optum insurance directly, but can provide you with a superbill for reimbursement for out of network coverage from your insurance provider. If interested in this option, a good practice is to reach out to your insurance provider and inquire about what will be covered after reaching your deductible and if they will reimburse for sessions provided by a Professional Counselor Associate. If paying for services outside of insurance, you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate document that provides you with an estimate of the cost for services.
