Help that fits your needs and your goals for parenting, anxiety, grief and depression, alcohol and drug issues.
- Are you struggling in your relationship with your spouse or partner?
- Do parenting challenges have you at a loss?
- Are you going through transition or grief that is too hard to face alone?
- Does stress cause you to drink, gamble or use drugs more than you’d like?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by challenges like these, it could be a good time to reach out to a competent, well-trained, caring, compassionate helper. Therapy is all about the relationship, and I enjoy building a helpful, trusting, positive relationship with you to help you reach your goals.
Some people fear asking for help because they don’t want to feel weak or may not have experienced counseling as helpful in the past.
I offer a safe and comfortable space to process, learn, practice and be heard and understood. Whether it’s through building new skills or helping you to change thinking that gets in your way, we will focus on the kind of help that fits your needs and your goals.
My clients find me warm, kind, professional, reliable and ethical. When you feel understood, then your self-respect returns. Together, we’ll build on your strengths as we work on the challenges that you’d like to make. You might be surprised how enjoyable it is to be seen and have someone focus on your resiliency and competence.
Whether you’re part of a family in transition such as divorce, relocation, loss, remarriage or pregnancy, I can help you navigate those changes in a way that helps you find a more positive place in your life.
Couples Counseling
People find it surprising, that I love working with couples who are experiencing challenges. I will help you learn how to:
- Communicate confidently with kindness and compassion
- Turn your conflict into positive problem solving
- Come closer together to create the love and closeness you desire.
Together, we can create the safety and security you need to be open, to learn and make positive changes that are important for both of you.
The biggest thing my clients tell me is that they have learned to have better, closer relationships with others because of the good, trusting, close relationship they have formed with me. I can’t tell you how happy I feel about helping my clients make these positive changes!
Together, we will collaborate to determine your goals and create the changes you want to bring about in your life. We’ll look at your challenges and together decide on a course of action to accomplish your goals.
Ready to get started?
Please text, call, email our office to set up an appointment with me. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
I have experience and training with:
- Substance use disorders
- Gambling disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Relationship conflicts
- Gender identity and transition
- ADHD
- Parenting stress
- Emotional regulation issues
Some of my favorite books include:
- When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress Disease Connection by Gabor Mate
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Mate
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk
- If the Buddha Dated: A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path by Charlotte Kasl
- I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real
My work experience and training
Education
Lewis & Clark College – Sept 2012 to Aug 2015
Master of Arts in Marriage Couple and Family Therapy
Addictions Treatment Track, COAMFT Accredited Program
University of Arizona – Aug 2008 to Dec2011
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Minor Studies: Family Studies and Human Development
3.8 GPA, Magna Cum Laude, Honors College
Certifications / Licensure
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)- October 2017
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (CADC I)- January 2016
Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor I (CGACI)-September 2013
Clinical Experience
In-Reach Admissions and Treatment Coordinator – August 2015 to Present
Integrated Clinical Specialist
CODA Inc. Portland, OR February 2016 – Present
o Contract through Clackamas County Parole and Probations (October 2015-February 2016) and Oregon Health and Sciences University (August 2015-June 2017)
o Conduct substance use treatment intakes and assessments. Determine medical necessity for substance use treatment including screening for detoxification needs, providing diagnostic evaluation of substance use disorders, determining level of care and functioning, and evaluating placement within ASAM criteria to recommend a clinical course of treatment
o Act as liaison from Oregon Health and Science University while working with an interdisciplinary team
o Apply motivational techniques and case management to promote engagement in treatment
o Provide services that are family and community oriented, person centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed including, but not limited to, case management, resource information and referral services
o Group, individual, and family treatment using evidenced base treatment
Behavioral Health Intern
Peace Health Southwest Family Medicine Clinic Vanc, WA May 2014 – June 2015
o Implemented individual, couple, and family counseling using Family Therapy and Addictions Models
o Collaborated with treatment team of primary care physicians, LPNs, medical assistants, and outside systems (ie schools, child protective services, community resources such as the YWCA, insurance)
o Triage support of patients through “warm hand-offs” from primary care physicians through the primary care based integrated behavioral health model
o Diagnosis and assessment of clients including but not limited to mood disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, and relational diagnoses
Family Therapist Trainee
Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center Portland, OR May 2014 – April 2015
o Individuals, couples, and family therapy using systemic, social constructionist, and critical family therapy models
Advanced Clinical Intern July 2013 – May 2015
Problem Gambling Treatment Volunteer
Lewis & Clark Problem Gambling Services Portland, OR Jan – June 2013
o Implemented individual, couple, and family counseling (individually and co-therapy) using Family Therapy and Addictions Models
o Facilitated group sessions (Basics of Problem Gambling Psycho-education and Seeking Safety for Men)
o Finalized all applicable paperwork, assessments, and treatment plans
Group Facilitator
Group Counseling for Children and Adolescents Portland, OR Sept 2013 – Dec 2013
o Co-lead social skills counseling group for children at a school in the David Douglas school district on nine scheduled days during class time
o Received supervision and evaluation on your participation, efforts and success within these group sessions in developing the skills detailed in the Group Leadership Skills Rubric in this syllabus
Girls’ Group Facilitator
Volunteers of America Portland, OR Dec 2012 – January 2013
o Modified and assisted in planning VOA curriculum to fit needs of each group
o Facilitated weekly curriculum with adolescent girls (e.g., journaling, sharing circles, crafts, and reflections)
Group Facilitator, Board Member, Trainer
Divorce Recovery Tucson, AZ Jan 2010 – Aug 2012
o Facilitated weekly children of divorce support groups for 8-18 years old (i.e. anger management, grieving, loss, interpersonal communication) through a grant-funded program
o Participated on the board through the Student Liaison position. Duties: training interns through a 6 week program two times per year, monthly board meetings, coordinating projects for the interns
Other Professional Experience
Mental Health Tech
Cedar Hills Hospital Portland, OR March 2015 – Sept 2015
o Coordinated with care team (nurses, physicians, therapists) around treatment planning, intake, discharge, and follow-up care
o Implemented therapeutic interventions within crisis management
Residential Associate
Columbia Care Services, Inc. Portland, OR Dec 2012 – Aug 2015
o Assisted residents with activities of daily living (e.g., meals, hygiene recreation, socialization) to increase level of functioning
o Followed individualized treatment plans (e.g., treatment groups, administer medications)
Primary Care Worker
Casa de los Ninos Tucson, AZ Dec 2011 – July 2012
o Direct care of children in foster care setting ages 0-12 (assisted with daily activities, taught daily lessons)
o Attended weekly meetings to discuss child goals and case plans in partner with Child Protective Services
Parent Aide
AmeriPsych Tucson, AZ Dec 2011 – July 2012
o Facilitated Parent and Resources Education Program (P.R.E.P.) as part of parent’s/parents’ DES case plan
o Provided visitation services to non-custodial parents and transport children to and from family visitations
Children’s Volunteer
Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center Tucson, AZ Sept 2009-May 2010
o Supported children through forensic interviewing process
o Administered preventative training for children at local Tucson schools
o Trained to facilitate supervised visits between parents and their children for Child Protective Services
Professional Development
Columbia River Eating Disorder Network Conference February 2015
Introduction to Eating Disorders Course October – November 2014
Northwest Institute of Addiction Studies Conference July 2013
Liberation-Based Healing Conference October 2012
Memberships
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists 2012 to present
Oregon Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 2012 to present
Research / Publications
Lewis & Clark Counseling Psychology Lab Portland, OR Nov 2012 – June 2013
Family Studies Human Development Lab Tucson, AZ Aug 2010 – Dec 2011
Family Therapy Research Lab Tucson, AZ Aug 2008 – May 2010
Manuscript submitted September 2017: Understanding barriers and facilitators to a medically enhanced residential treatment (MERT) model integrating intravenous antibiotics and residential addiction treatment.
Calcagni, J.M., Mortensen, J.A., & Barnett, M.A. (2012). Associations among Marital Quality, Parenting, and Toddler Behavior in Mexican American Families. Submitted for Undergraduate Honors Thesis in the College of Science, Tucson, AZ, December 2011.
Mortensen, J.A., Calcagni, J.M., & Barnett, M.A. (2012). Mexican American mothers’ romantic relationship quality and toddlers’ social competence and behavior problems: The role of nurturing parenting and child gender. Poster submitted for presentation at Head Start’s 11th National Research Conference, Washington, D.C., June 2012.