Racial Trauma

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I work with:

I specialize in:

Does this sound familiar?

Being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world? Perhaps it feels like you are measuring life in meters while everyone else is measuring in feet?
Maybe you are a veteran who feels like they never left the battlefield and aren’t sure how to be a civilian? I have not served, but for some folks having a civilian therapist can make therapy more effective.
Feeling like you have left no stone unturned as you try to be the best version of yourself, but all that turns up is self-blame?

I Can Help

I believe everything the brain does it does for a reason. Your brain wants what’s best for you and those you love, but sometimes too much anxiety, too little self-esteem, or just the right amount of doubt can get in the way.
I treat everyone as the expert of their own life. I find the greatest strides in therapy occur when the therapist is just holding the flashlight.
I will always treat you with dignity, respect, and kindness no matter your skin color, culture, ability level, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, race, religion (or absence of religion), sexual orientation, marital status, biological sex, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, or any other aspects of your identity and circumstances.

What can you expect?

I will walk with you as you identify how trauma has impacted you, where it came from, and what you want for yourself instead.
At no point will I tell you who you “should” be or what you “should” do. Your thoughts, feelings, and values are yours to determine, and yours alone.
When you get out of bed each morning you can expect your thoughts and feelings to serve you, and you can feel safe knowing that you have what it takes to handle the day if they don’t.

Claris Velez, MS

September 11, 2025

Graduate Student Intern

I work with:

I Specialize In:

Who I Work With

I support children, young adults, and parents who may be facing challenges such as:

Racism, discrimination, or bullying
Anxiety, life transitions, or low self-esteem
Parenting struggles, especially for parents of children ages 5–10 who feel stuck or overwhelmed in managing emotions and behaviors

What Makes My Approach Unique

My work is grounded in clinical training that is both evidence-based and flexible, allowing me to honor the unique cultural backgrounds and life experiences of each client. I take a collaborative, client-centered, and strengths-based approach, ensuring that treatment feels supportive and empowering.

The Benefits of Therapy

Through our work together, you can expect to:

Build confidence in expressing and managing emotions
Develop practical tools to cope with stress and navigate challenges
Strengthen parenting skills and feel more effective in supporting your child
Make meaningful progress toward the goals that matter most to you

Jesse Cetz, MA

August 12, 2025

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

I work with:

I Specialize In:

Are you navigating one of these areas in your life?

Relationship issues
Marital conflicts
Intercultural communication
Racial/ethnic identity exploration
Systemic racism
Life transitions
Grief and loss
Men’s issues
Anxiety and depression
Premarital support

What would it look like to work with me?

Life can be different. Change is possible. I believe in helping you on your journey of self-understanding and healthy relationships. I am a first-generation Latino with white privilege. I grew up in a low-socioeconomic neighborhood. I received my master’s degree from George Fox University in marriage, couple and family counseling. I use an attachment-based approach (Emotionally Focused Therapy) that emphasizes change occurring in the therapy room with an exploration of core emotions at the root. I also use mindfulness as a way to gain awareness into the present moment. I have 4.5 years of experience in higher education helping young adults navigate racial/ethnic identities and life transitions. You can expect me to show up as the unique me because I value you bringing your unique self.

Potential counseling outcomes

Identifying and expressing your emotional needs
Increased understanding of your internal world
Learning how to communicate with your partner
Feeling connected with your partner

Ashley Tecson, MSW

September 25, 2024

Clinical Social Worker Associate

I work with:

I specialize in:

Does this sound familiar?

Feeling hopeless, alone, too much or not enough?
Overwhelmed with changes happening in your life and the world around you?
Are past trauma and hardship affecting your ability to navigate relationships and functioning day to day?

I Can Help.

I have a relational perspective and approach every client as a person first rather than a diagnosis, connecting to my clients with humor, empathy, and authenticity
I believe there is no “one size fits all” and I pull from several modalities and resources to find what works best for you based on your unique wants, needs, and beliefs
I have both professional and personal experience helping others with depression, anxiety, suicidality, trauma, and the challenges of navigating the world as part of the BIPOC and LGBTQ2IA+ communities.

What can you expect?

A safe space to reflect, ask questions, and be seen and heard exactly as you are, free of any judgment
Improved capacity to cope with and reframe adversity, change, difficult feelings, and detrimental patterns
A more empowered sense of self with increased insight into your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and how to move forward in a way that best serves you

Brendan Moore, MSW

September 25, 2024

Clinical Social Worker Associate

I work with:

I Specialize In:

Does this sound familiar?

Are you or your teen navigating questions around identity (such as gender, culture, race, disability)?
Are you struggling with repetitive relationship or career conflicts that don’t make sense?
Are you trying to adapt to and make meaning out of a painful event (breakup, divorce, illness, death, or other loss)?

I Can Help.

I work with clients to identify and change how unconscious patterns from the past show up painfully in the present
My advanced training in psychoanalysis, literature, and feminist theory have taught me to focus not just on symptoms, but on the life story of the person in front of me
Culture and structures of exploitation contribute strengths and vulnerabilities to every person’s life, and I strive to welcome these concerns into the consulting room in a spirit of humility

What can you expect?

You will derive greater satisfaction and meaning from life, work, and relationships
You will experience more clarity on issues of identity, love, and long-term goals
You will find improved resilience in the face of life’s challenges

Savannah Bialecki, MA

August 20, 2024

Professional Counselor Associate

I work with:

I specialize in:

Does this sound familiar?

Feeling overwhelmed by significant life changes or experiencing issues related to complex trauma?
Striving to build trust in yourself and secure relationships with others?
Are you seeking a life filled with more joy, purpose, and sense of peace?

I Can Help.

In our work together, I’ll guide you through a journey of self-discovery, helping you understand the connection between your mind and body, and supporting you in creating new patterns and insights that align with your personal hopes and goals.
I’m trained in a holistic and systematic approach, which means I consider how all aspects of your life have influenced you.
I approach our work with compassion and curiosity, always fostering hope and confidence in your healing journey.

What can you expect?

Let go of the burdens from the past, heal emotional wounds, and address the effects of trauma.
Enhanced self-awareness and understanding of your relationship with others.
Deeper access to your inner self, fostering qualities such as playfulness, connection, self-belief, and compassion.

Jordan Tangavelou, LMFT

September 13, 2022

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I work with:

I specialize in:

Does this sound familiar?

Struggling with finding joy in life, feeling lost during life transitions, feeling stuck in the past, or scared of what the future holds?
Experiencing negative experiences due to racism, discrimination, and trauma?
Having difficulty connecting and communicating with loved ones?

I Can Help.

My work with clients is collaborative. In the process of therapy, we will explore your strengths and your history of adaptation to difficult circumstances, and develop a plan to support your ongoing positive changes.
My background as an Asian-American child of a refugee and an international adoptee from a mixed family helps me to see the importance of how context shapes people’s lives. My life experiences and background aid me in connecting with clients authentically and nonjudgmentally.
I have 7 years of experience working with school-aged children and adolescents in the mental health field.

What can you expect?

You will be able to practice acceptance of your life circumstances which provides clarity for how to move forward.
A recognition of yourself as the hero of your story pushes back against feelings of helplessness and purposelessness.
Improvement in communication skills and the ability to better handle strong emotions helps couples and families to have more positive interactions and reduces harmful interactions.

Mindy Laroco, LPC

June 7, 2022

Licensed Professional Counselor

I Work With:

I Specialize In:

Does this sound familiar?

Wanting help in learning how to identify and talk about emotions?
Feeling down or stuck in everyday life routines?
Experiencing a heaviness due to past traumas or experiences

I Can Help.

I would be honored to hold space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings
Clients experience a warm, safe space and encouragement to reach their goals
I look forward to walking with you on your journey toward healing

What can you expect?

Clients have walked away with better, more effective ways of coping with life stresses
I have worked with clients to help them feel reconnected with who they are
I have experience in working with clients to help them learn to effectively handle emotions

It is so wonderful that you are taking this next step to care for yourself or a loved one! I offer a safe, healing counseling space that is full of emapthy and encouragement. Together, we will create an environment that is unique to your personal experiences and strengths that will help us work towards your goals. I have a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Family and Relationship therapy and I have experience working with adolescents and adults with a range of presenting conerns such as anxiety, depression, relationships, substance abuse concerns, and life transitions. I also enjoy working with clients of diverse backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, cultures, and spiritual beliefs and practices.

Lue Williams, PhD

October 7, 2021

Psychologist Resident

Older Adults/Seniors Adults

I work with:

I specialize in:

Anxiety Chronic Illness Depression Divorce First Responders Grief/Loss LGBTQ Life Transition Racial Trauma Relationship Conflict Self-Esteem

Does this sound familiar?

Do you struggle with anxiety or depression, including self-criticism, overthinking, or avoidance that make it harder to feel engaged in your life or enjoy the things that matter to you?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by a major transition or difficult decision affecting your relationships, health, work, or caregiving responsibilities?
Are painful past experiences, conflict, or disconnection affecting an important relationship, or making it difficult to communicate what you want or need?

I Can Help.

Understand the patterns that show up in your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and how they shape how you see yourself, treat yourself, and respond to others.
Develop clarity, flexibility, and tools to recognize what’s in your control and respond differently when you feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Reorient yourself to what’s important to you today, rather than what you think you’re “supposed to” do or what may be expected of you.

What can you expect?

A collaborative process that can include both deeper exploration and concrete steps when those feel useful.
Opportunities to be curious about yourself and discover what feels like a better way forward.
Space to understand and work through what you’re feeling, at a pace that works for you.

I believe the world is a better place when you are well, and I genuinely enjoy helping people feel more connected to their lives. I want therapy to be a space where you can be yourself, take your time, and feel heard and understood as you work through what matters most to you, even if you are not quite sure what that is yet. I know that therapy can require a leap of trust and can feel vulnerable, so it matters to me that I also bring my authentic self into the room. I love what can happen when therapy becomes a shared process of discovery, where we can pay attention together to what is happening and shine a light on things that may be difficult to see on your own.

It is also important for me to feel grounded, both in my work and in my personal life. I love being outside and I have lived and meandered through the woods in many parts of the country, but Oregon is my favorite and the place I have called home for over a decade. Time in nature helps me turn down the volume, feel connected to something greater, and come back to myself. When I’m not working, I’m usually taking a yoga class, thinking about breakfast foods, running through the hilly neighborhoods of Eugene, rain or shine, or coming up with a really good excuse not to.

April Lightcap, PhD

June 23, 2021

Licensed Psychologist

I work with:

I Specialize In:

Does this sound familiar?

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious?
Feeling stuck, lonely or isolated?
Struggling in your relationships, maybe with a child, or romantic partner?

I Can Help.

As a warm and understanding person, I help my clients feel at ease in therapy.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients identify their goals, connect with their values, and stay motivated to work towards what they care about most in life.
I am skilled at helping my clients find meaning and direction as they navigate life’s trials and joys.

What can you expect?

You will feel motivated to pursue what matters to you, despite life’s obstacles.
You will learn practical skills for moving towards your goals in a warm and understanding environment.
You will feel connected to what you care about most, more accepting of yourself and motivated to work towards your goals.

Adam Pettitt, PhD

July 30, 2019

artb

Psychologist Resident

I work with:

I specialize in:

Does this sound familiar?

Have you been feeling depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed?
Do you struggle with low-self esteem?
Are you experiencing relationship issues with those around you?

I Can Help…

I provide a warm, collaborative environment with my clients.
I recognize that an important part of the therapeutic process is the strength of connection you have with your therapist, so I work to have open communication and create a safe place for my clients to talk about their issues.
I can help my clients navigate feelings and situations that have felt too overwhelming or scary to deal with on their own.

What can you expect?

You can hope to have a greater sense of self-compassion.
You will gain a broader “tool-box” for coping with stressful life situations
You can expect to see improvements in your mood and overall well-being

Ben Heifetz, LMFT

July 16, 2019

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist