Portland Aging

Jennifer Shay, LCSW, ACSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Gerontologist Psychotherapy & Counseling for Individuals, Couples, Families and Small Groups At every stage of life we can find ourselves in relationships and situations that stop us in our tracks. Fortunately, emotions such as anxiety, depression, guilt and anger serve as excellent indicators of when we are approaching imbalance, self-harm or emotional distress. Developing our emotional muscles by approaching life with a curious eye instead of a self doubting and critical lens can offer fresh perspectives, new ideas and significant emotional relief. I approach the therapeutic process as an exciting and dynamic way to gain insight into understanding what we truly value, need and want. Our efforts and interests to learn how we have come to interpret and understand our thoughts, relationships and social environment can initially feel overwhelming or confusing. However, when provided the opportunity and space to explore these aspects of our life within the neutral yet challenging environment of therapy, one may begin to feel a sense of renewed energy, clarity and contentment. I passionately believe that psychotherapy and the unique and dynamic nature of the relationship, provides opportunities for emotional, psychological and intellectual transformations that no other social exchange or modality can provide. I equally believe that the time, effort and commitment one makes to their own emotional education and development is the most important investment we can make during our life. Therapy is a choice and one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your efforts to navigate through our challenging world.