Charmagne Westcott, Licensed Professional Counselor, NCC
Portland, Oregon
Verified
Professions: Mental Health Counselor, Counselor, Life Coach
Languages: English
Telephone: 971-366-2871
My Approach to Therapy
There is a way to find acceptance within yourself and from the people around you. There is a way to effectively manage your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to believe in yourself again. I know there is a way because I have seen my clients achieve these goals in therapy, and I have experienced it myself.
I have over a decade of experience treating individuals with intense emotion dysregulation. I work with people struggling with suicidal ideation, rapid mood swings, panic attacks, social isolation, identity disturbances, uncontrollable anger, or other extreme reactions, so they can regain control over their lives, repair their relationships, and reconnect with the world. You don't have to suffer alone.
My Practice & Services
During the past 17 years, I have provided mental health services to a wide range of individuals, from those who need only brief psychotherapy to those who are living with severe or chronic mental health challenges. I have experience in a variety of settings, such as community health centers, psychiatric hospitals, emergency rooms, minimum security prisons, maximum security prisons, and crisis clinics.
I approach therapy from the perspective that everyone is doing the best they can, and they also want to do better. I am comfortable sharing my personal history with the individuals in my care because I believe we are in this together.
I feel privileged when a client feels safe enough to share a personal concern with me. Each day, my work allows me to see people progress toward a healthier, happier life that feels worth living. I am truly honored to be a part of that journey.
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
I highly recommend that you "interview" your therapist prior to committing to therapy, but even then, you or your therapist may discover down the road that the relationship is no longer effective. The reality is that some therapists are just not a good fit for some people (including me). This doesn't necessarily mean that the therapist is "bad" or "unethical," (though this, unfortunately, does happen). It may mean that their approach is simply isn't helping you reach your goals.
I approach therapy as a collaborative process based on an individual's expressed needs. In the first few sessions we will drill down on your specific counseling goals and develop a treatment plan to help you reach them. I am aware that my approach (and my personality, for that matter) is not going to be effective with every single person who walks through my door and I'm okay with that. I take an active approach by checking in with my clients throughout the therapeutic process to make sure they are satisfied with the progress they are making. My primary goal is to meet the needs of my clients. If you find that you are not satisfied with your progress at any time during your treatment, it makes perfect sense that you would want to pursue therapy elsewhere.
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
I believe that in order to have a life that is worth living we must be able to identify and accept both the positive and negative aspects of ourselves. We must take emotional risks and let ourselves be vulnerable in therapy and if I expect that of you, I should be willing to go to that place myself. Below is a YouTube video of a storytelling presentation I gave in 2010. In this presentation, I give an abbreviated version of my own life story. This is the best introduction I can think of as to who I am and the struggles I have experienced in my own life.
Expertise & Specialties
Age Groups I Work With
TeensAdultsElders
Groups I Work With
I specialize in treating emotion dysregulation. My clients typically have a history of intense emotional reactions, which may include panic attacks, anger outbursts, psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, self-harm, manic behavior, dissociative trauma (flashbacks), psychosis (delusions, paranoia, hallucinations), or impulsivity. As a result, they may feel easily overwhelmed, have difficulty coping with life stressors, struggle with interpersonal relationships, and/or feel disconnected from themselves and the world around them.
Therapy Services & Specialties
CoachingCounseling for OffendersFamily TherapyIndividual Therapy & CounselingPsychological Evaluation
Concerns & Challenges Addressed
AbandonmentAbuse / Abuse Survivor IssuesAngerBorderlineChronic PainCommunication ProblemsDepressionDissociation