Therapy for Relationship Patterns That Feel Hard to Break
For adults who feel stuck in recurring dynamics, despite insight or prior therapy. I help you get to the root using EMDR, parts work, and somatic approaches.
You understand your patterns.
They just don't seem to shift.
Many of my clients are thoughtful, capable people who understand themselves deeply — yet still find themselves caught in painful relational patterns, nervous system overwhelm, or a persistent disconnection from themselves and others. They often appear high-functioning on the outside while internally carrying chronic anxiety, relational hypervigilance, shame, or exhaustion from years of adapting to survive.
You keep finding yourself in the same kinds of relationships, despite knowing better
You feel reactive, shut down, or overwhelmed in close relationships — and can't seem to stop it
You've done therapy before, but something deeper still feels unresolved
You feel high-functioning on the outside, but internally stuck in ways that are hard to explain
This is often where deeper attachment patterns and past experiences begin to surface — and where the real work begins.
Moving beyond insight
into lasting change
Therapy with me is collaborative, relational, and paced carefully around your nervous system's capacity. Some sessions may involve EMDR or parts work, while others focus on slowing down patterns as they arise in real time — building safety, processing relational wounds, or reconnecting with parts of yourself that learned to survive through protection, perfectionism, shutdown, or overfunctioning.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing helps process traumatic memories and attachment wounds neurologically — not just cognitively.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Parts work that helps you understand the internal voices driving your behavior — approached with curiosity rather than self-criticism.
Somatic & Body-Based Therapy
Approaches rooted in Polyvagal Theory and somatic awareness that help your nervous system complete what it couldn't in the past.
Find the format
that fits your needs
Every person's path looks different. I offer several formats depending on where you are and what kind of support you're looking for.
Individual Therapy
Ongoing weekly sessions for deeper, consistent work on relationship patterns, trauma, and attachment. The foundation of what I do.
Therapy Intensives
Extended sessions (3–4 hours) designed to focus on a specific pattern or experience. For those ready to go deep and move efficiently.
Coaching
Trauma-informed relational support outside of a clinical setting — for those seeking insight and integration beyond psychotherapy. Note: coaching is not a substitute for therapy.
You might be a
good fit if…
I work best with adults who are ready to move beyond surface-level coping and do meaningful work on the roots of their patterns.
You intellectualize your emotions well but still feel emotionally stuck or disconnected
You're a high achiever with chronic nervous system activation that doesn't match your circumstances
You feel simultaneously "too much" and emotionally numb — sometimes in the same day
You've done therapy before and are skeptical — because insight alone hasn't been enough
You're navigating chronic illness alongside trauma, or exhaustion from years of overfunctioning and caretaking
You're an LGBTQ+ client seeking a space where you don't have to translate yourself
You're open to body-based, parts-based, and experiential approaches — not just talking about it
"If you've done work on yourself and still feel like something won't budge — you're not broken and you haven't failed at therapy. You just haven't yet found the right entry point."— Stacie Wentling McKee, MSW, LCSW, CADCI
What therapy with me
feels like
Therapy with me tends to be warm, collaborative, emotionally honest, and grounded. I work carefully around your nervous system's capacity — some sessions may involve EMDR or parts work, while others focus on slowing down, building safety, or reconnecting with parts of yourself that learned to survive through protection, perfectionism, shutdown, or overfunctioning.
I don't believe healing only happens through intensity. Humor, curiosity, gentleness, and moments of genuine relief are also part of feeling safe enough to do this work.
My clients often describe feeling deeply understood rather than categorized — seen as a whole person, not a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. The pace is yours. The work is collaborative. And there's room here for complexity.
I strive to create an affirming space for LGBTQ+ clients and welcome exploration around identity, relationships, embodiment, and belonging — without shame or the need to explain yourself.
Grounded, relational,
depth-oriented care
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Addiction Counselor in Oregon and Washington, specializing in trauma and attachment-focused therapy. I started Upriver Wellness in 2024 to better serve individuals interested in healing through approaches rooted in compassion, nature, community, and the wisdom of the body.
I believe that each of us possesses an unbroken self — one that can support us as we heal wounds from the past and build a life aligned with our values.
Before you reach out
In-person in Portland, OR (801 NE Alberta St) and Camas, WA. Video appointments available throughout Oregon and Washington.
Daytime appointments Monday through Thursday. New clients currently being accepted.
Individual adults. Weekly therapy sessions, in-person or via video. Intensives available by arrangement.
In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Providence, and United Healthcare. Private pay also accepted.
Review fees & insurance details → Before reaching out, please take a moment to review the Fees & Insurance page. This helps ensure we're a practical fit and avoids surprises for either of us.
You don't have to keep feeling
stuck in the same patterns.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if this work is a good fit. No pressure, no commitment — just a conversation.