Michele Pearce, LCSW CADC I    Therapist & Counselor

Specialty:

My background includes working and volunteering in Africa, Asia, and Europe in communities encompassing a wide variety of belief systems.  This experience broadens my perspective of possibilities of ways of being in the world and has deepened my commitment to social justice and dismantling oppression.

Providing support to people navigating cultural change is an area of expertise.  I love working with people not originally from the U.S. who now live here, international students, people returning to the U.S. from working and studying abroad, “third culture” people (TCK, ATCK), ex-pats, returned Peace Corps volunteers, people who are learning English, and adventurers and travelers of all sorts.

I have specialized training from the International Multicultural Institute and understand how interlocking systems of power, privilege, and oppression can impact our lives, concerns, and struggles. 

I love working with creative bright spirits of all sorts, including college and graduate students as well as life long learners. I have provided therapy to students at Portland State University (as a practicum in graduate school) and as a post-graduate volunteer at Reed College.

Before entering private practice I was program coordinator and counselor for a LGBTQ-specific outpatient addictions treatment program.  In graduate school I worked at Portland State University's Queer Resource Center providing advocacy and support services.  

Thank you for visiting my website.  My practice is currently full and I am not able to take new clients at this time.  I will re-assess in October, so please feel free to check back then to see if I am accepting new clients.  

Are you searching for a welcoming place to explore, heal, and grow?  It is human to value connection, understanding, and support.  As your therapist, I can help.

I believe there are multiple paths to gaining more joy and satisfaction in our lives.  I use therapeutic approaches that are effective and congruent with your identity, culture, values, and belief systems.  Working together we will identify tools and resources to successfully navigate life challenges. Throughout the process, I will treat you and your life experience with the utmost dignity and respect.

At my Hollywood district location in NE Portland I work in collaboration with Miko Bisous, my therapy cat. Miko brings a sweet, gentle energy to the office.  She can usually be found napping on a chair or flopping at people's feet.  She enjoys receiving love from clients and is also respectful of those who are not cat people.  At my outer east Portland office location, my cat Pookie frequently likes to join clients during appointments.

I have had the honor of providing therapy and counseling to a diverse range of people with concerns including the following:

• Life transitions
• Life explorations
• Identity explorations
• Culture shock; reverse culture shock
• Relationships
• Family of origin 
• Decreasing depression & anxiety
• Addressing alcohol & drug use/abuse concerns
• Sexuality/ Asexuality/ Demi-sexuality
• LGBTQ+ 
• Gender identity
• Grief & loss
• Spirituality
• Navigating oppression and injustice
• Examining privilege
• Connecting with joy 

 Credentials & Education:

• Masters in Social Work (MSW), Portland State University;
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers;
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I); ACCBO
• Bachelors of Arts (BA), Reed College;
• Volunteer, work, and study abroad experience in Ghana, Japan, and France.  I speak French and Japanese.

Theoretical Orientation:

I use a combination of narrative therapy, NVC (Non-violent Communication also known as Compassionate Communication), motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral counseling tools and techniques based on what style resonates best with you and what will be most effective in helping you reach your goals.