Find a Therapist in Seaside, OR

(712015 Update: My practice is currently full. I AM CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW INTERNS.) Counseling, and the counseling relationship, can create a safe forum for deep and lasting change. For the last 20 years I've enjoyed working with a diverse population, primarily individuals, and find that people who are motivated to understand themselves better and apply the tools learned in our work together have the greatest chance to empower real change in their lives. Most people come into my office frustrated by persistent patterns that they tried to change, often through years of therapy, and to no avail. Self-criticism, fearfulness, procrastination, self-doubt, loneliness, insomnia, panic, conflictual relationships, etc. Some of these problems may seem to develop slowly over time, and some problems come about from recent loss or trauma. Most of us only skim the surface of what we know about ourselves and our inner resources, especially with regard to our capacity for emotional healing. I hold an integrated perspective about human growth and healing that takes into consideration social, biological, and cultural influences that may be out of balance. My approach is ultimately tailored to a particular person's issues and needs, though I hold great respect for time spent exploring internal thoughts and reactions, untangling inner conflicts and releasing a greater capacity for calmness, contentedness, clarity and balance. These resources are in every one of us.

I help adults navigate a variety of challenges, including life transitions, career concerns, financial difficulties, relationship concerns, depression, and anxiety. My work blends practical guidance with education and problem-solving. I embrace a collaborative approach to therapy. We partner together to gain insight into your unwanted emotional, behavioral, and relationship patterns. That knowledge helps us develop strategies that get you unstuck, so you can move forward with your life. I serve as a caring, confidential partner who helps you privately address your concerns. Your goals guide the process from the beginning. Our work together can help you build your strengths and resources, enabling you to find long-lasting and effective solutions.

Monogamous, poly, or open relationship my desire is to work towards your goals. I love working with couples developing healthy sexualities, LGBTQIA+ individuals developing their sexual and gender expression, and people on the journey of healing. I use a person-centered approach, with a whole lot of fun and humor, to authentically provide a space for a collaborative, non-judgmental relationship. Creating mindful awareness into your lived experience we gently address patterns and build insight. I want to help you find a more fulfilling intimacy with yourself. Are you ready to enjoy sex again? That process includes breaking out of habits and looking at emotions that play into these tender parts of our lives. The wall you want to get over seems daunting and I'm here to help. I use a somatic (body) concentrated lens to help assist.

Welcome to my practice! I am a licensed clinical psychologist in both Oregon and California, bilingual in Farsi (Persian), with over 15 years of experience providing treatment to children, adolescents, and adults. I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges an individual faces in life, including depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences, grief, relationship and parenting issues, work and academic stress, chronic health issues, as well as acculturation and immigration issues. My therapeutic approach is based on the belief that individuals want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. Through therapy, I help them cultivate strengths while repairing prior damages, regaining control over struggles, and developing new skills. I have a flexible therapeutic style that draws from several major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy and is tailored to each individual’s needs, cultural background, and expectations from therapy. My goal is to collaborate with each client to help them achieve a greater sense of happiness, peace, and satisfaction in their lives.

The primary focus of my practice is on relationships. The health of your relationship to yourself, partner, friends, and community are key factors in overall wellbeing. The desire for a partner or to have a child when they prove elusive can be a painful and frustrating spot to sit in. I empower clients to face these and other challenges and forge a path forward.

Embody your truth. Embrace your passion. Follow your path. Working together to support your healing process and bring forward your own unique resiliency and self-expression. I use an experiential approach in counseling, where we follow the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations that are occurring in the present moment as the window to explore deeper-held beliefs. Together, we find what is at the core of these beliefs and create new ways of understanding to bring forward an updated perspective that leads from your most authentic, empowered self. Through feeling ourselves, we can know ourselves, and through knowing ourselves, we have a greater capacity for self-acceptance and the empowerment to choose the life we want to live. Drawing from my training in the Hakomi Method of Mindful and Somatic Psychotherapy as well as psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, person-centered psychotherapy, and depth psychology, I use mindfulness, body-awareness, touch, movement, and dreamwork to help facilitate my client's process.

You are looking for help. Help reconnecting with a partner who seems disinterested and dissatisfied. My passion is helping couples like you rediscover the joy of a close and intimate relationship. Not just physical intimacy, but intimacy that comes from a deep, emotional connection. You fell in love for a reason, but something seems to have gotten in the way. It's not random. After ten years, I've discovered there is a pattern to the conflict in relationships. When disconnection arises, you attempt to move closer, to regain the connection you lost. But because you're in distress, it usually comes out frustrated and critical. Your partner interprets this bid for connection as an attack, and typically becomes defensive and withdraws. When you see this defensiveness, it feels like you're totally shut out and blamed, and you become more frustrated. On and on it goes, until you're both too exhausted and just give up. You may be afraid to hope that change is possible, but I assure you it is. A better life awaits you, a life of fulfillment and excitement, of intimacy and connection. Rediscovering a vibrant relationship is not easy, and it's usually not fast, but it is possible. Reach out to me today so we can begin our journey together.

Olivia Ramey has a Master of Arts in counseling from Western Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, including minors in Spanish and student ministry, from Geneva College. With 10 years of experience working in church ministry and nonprofit youth ministry, Olivia enjoys counseling individuals of all ages, particularly young adults and older teens, as well as couples. She has experience in sitting with those facing life transitions, spiritual abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Olivia operates in a simple person-centered fashion, incorporating elements of parts work, internal family systems, emotionally focused therapy, and narrative therapy. She has also completed Level 2 of the Gottman Method couples therapy. She cares deeply about relationships and sitting with others weathering the ups and downs of singleness, friendship, dating, marriage, and family relationships. Olivia counts it a privilege to collaborate with and encourage others in the deep, healing work of counseling. She seeks to create an environment of warmth, safety, and even fun. A self-identified “friendly introvert,” Olivia enjoys being active outdoors, cooking a good meal to share, and having quiet mornings at home.

Your innermost Self knows, better than anyone, what your wounds are and what you need to heal and soar! My job is to help you discover that truth and come to trust its guidance. I'll help you learn to extend a compassionate ear even to your most scared, angry, critical or suffering parts, as ALL of your parts have invaluable information to share about what needs to change for you to heal and thrive. I combine experiential and mindfulness techniques with Solution-Focused tools that can help you explore your feelings and history with curiosity, safety, and depth. Together we will work to: 1. Discover the hidden beliefs that may be holding you back. 2. Study your experiences to help you uncover your unique keys to healing. 3. Use what you've learned to develop new tools that will help you create the life that you want. At the core of my Self-Awareness practice is a practical, body-centered, "somatic" philosophy that recognizes that the body and mind truly are a unified whole and are constantly engaged in an inner--dialogue. This process treats the body as an expressive extension of the mind and vice versa to help you discover your untapped inner resources. This therapeutic approach harnesses your body/mind's full potential to spur healing change and increase your repertoire of coping mechanisms. My practice draws from many therapeutic techniques to tailor the approach I use with each individual but most frequently makes creative use of an Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework and methodology. Additionally I will weave in aspects of Hakomi and Re-Creation of the Self, as taught in the Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches (M.E.T.A.) trainings, as well many Solution-Focused and Coaching approaches for optimizing lifestyle changes in the work toward your goals.

My work with clients is focused on specialty areas of trauma, adjustment issues, anxiety, panic, and phobias. I consider my work with clients a privilege and I feel honored to be a part of your journey.