For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

My calling is to be the source of calm in your life. I have worked with individuals struggling with negative thought patterns, doubt, stress, and anxiety. My passion is helping you become renewed, restored, and actively engaged in life again. Are you ready to take the first step? Contact me to schedule your first session today!

My name is Tina Marie Suarez. I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling focusing in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Telehealth Practitioner, and National Certified Counselor. My approach to working with clients starts with compassion in a nonjudgmental atmosphere. Helping you acknowledge your present, set realistic goals, holding you accountable toward meeting these goals, and watching you thrive are key.

Trying something new is scary. I understand this. Sharing details of your struggles with a stranger is even scarier. For those who are hesitant to try therapy, I encourage you to consider if what you are currently doing to manage struggles is working. If it is not, why not try something different? Another thing I encourage people to consider is that if you don't connect well with one therapist/counselor, try someone else. For therapy to be successful, the fit between therapist and client is essential.

As a teacher of Deaf/HoH students, I was often frustrated with attempts at finding mental health providers who could communicate with my students in their preferred language. Throughout my years as a mother and teacher, the importance of addressing mental health early and effectively became painfully apparent. In my quest to find ways to support my children and my students, I found a new passion. Returning to graduate school was a scary endeavor, but one I am so glad I chose. Now I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, able to provide mental health counseling services to hearing people and Deaf/HoH people in whichever mode of communication they prefer. It is my honor to be invited into the lives of my clients and walk with them through their mental health journeys.

I wish I could tell them that I'm not that scary! But seriously, I know the biggest hesitation is a fear of judgment in regards to the most vulnerable parts of you. I highly value my role in the community as a loving, non-judgmental secret keeper. If you feel judged by your therapist, then you aren't working with the right one.

Working from a feminist theoretical perspective, I feel that your unique voice deserves to be believed, be heard, and be taken seriously. I believe in creating a trusted space in which you feel comfortable to work through your difficulties, without fear of judgment or discrimination. My area of specialty is addiction. I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I am also able to treat addictive behaviors such as gambling or spending. I have experience working with both individuals and groups struggling with severe addictions. I am able to connect you with higher levels of care if you need more support in your recovery beyond the outpatient level. I also specialize in LGBTQ+ and women's issues, specifically with transgender folks. I have helped many clients begin their gender transitions, including hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. Beyond my areas of specialty, I am able to work with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, personality disorders, and more. Let's see if we are a good fit! I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wayne State University in 2013, and my Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2019. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), which is a board certification. I am fully licensed in Illinois as well (LCPC).

You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. We focus on helping clients reconnect with their values, routines, and self-worth—at a pace that works for them. Starting therapy is a powerful act of self-care.

Holistic Community Therapy is a group practice based in Portland, Oregon specializing in Mental Health Occupational Therapy and Mental Wellness Services. We help clients develop daily living skills, improve emotional well-being, and re-engage with meaningful activities through an inclusive, personalized, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach. Our team supports individuals navigating life transitions, burnout, identity shifts, and stress. We offer virtual therapy across Oregon to ensure accessible, high-quality care that meets clients where they are—emotionally, functionally, and geographically.

It is worth investing in yourself. In the long run, it pays off in being functional and healthy for you and your loved ones. 

I am a licensed mental health therapist with over 13 years of experience. I have extensive experience working with teens, adults and elders. I work with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, grief, self- esteem issues, women’s issues, communication skills among other disorders. I believe in a holistic approach to psychotherapy. Working with several local community mental health centers have provided me with a strong foundation to work with a variety of client populations including outpatient therapy, inpatient psych, and chemical dependency and addictions. I have also spent a year working in residential treatment. I work with females 17 and older. I believe in giving females a safe place to share their story. I am a firm believer in that the client is an expert on their life and I am merely a passenger on the road to their destination. I provide acceptance and a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment to guide female clients of all ages, races and sexual orientations in exploring issues that have been impacting their growth. My goal is to support and empower my clients to find their voice as they work on living their best life and becoming the best version of themselves.

Motivational interviewing is one of the techniques that I utilize. Thus, we work at your present stage of motivation. So, if you are contemplating a change, we may discuss the pros and cons of that change rather than suggesting a specific recommendation. Collaboration, respect, feedback, and unconditional regard are important.

Crisis is an opportunity for growth. With the COVID Pandemic, there is an option for mental and physical transformation. Change is possible. Working collaboratively, we develop a plan to meet your needs. My specialities include trauma, depression, anxiety, and communication.

If you are skeptical about therapy try it first. Make sure you get a therapist that will allow you to express your concerns and answer questions that you may have. Therapy will only be beneficial if you are willing to put in the work. It is a partnership between you and your therapist.

I am a solution focused therapist, who’s goal is to help individuals, families and couples uncover their true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can’t change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. 

I understand the difficulties with trying therapy for the first time. The therapeutic environment is a safe and inclusive space where we will work towards identified goals that feels comfortable and supportive.

I have a deep passion for supporting others through their journey towards general wellbeing. Through a blend of therapeutic modalities including mindfulness techniques, trauma-informed care, cognitive processing therapy, I work with clients to develop effective coping strategies to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I follow a holistic approach to therapy and place emphasis on total mind body wellness. I understand that the first step towards seeking therapy can feel overwhelming and I strive to create a safe space where you can feel heard and supported.

I understand it’s not always easy asking for help and sharing your story with a complete stranger. I work at your pace to push you when needed and cheer you on in order to empower you to become the best version of yourself. I am confident that as a team we can work towards a life you’re proud of. If you’re willing to work, so I am.

Whether you are having difficulties navigating the nuances of a relationship, parenting, multicultural issues, gender identity issues, self esteem or anxiety, I can help. I believe that you are a person first and my approach is to understand you first as an individual, then how your environment impacts you, and lastly how we can align your goals and visions into action. Life is not easy, and sometimes you need someone in your corner to help with insight and to empower you to achieve your full potential. Whatever that means for you, I am passionate about my work as a therapist, and I am here to help you navigate your life stressors

I wish I could tell people hesitant to try therapy that the hardest step is making that call or showing up. The unknowns about entering therapy can make anyone nervous. However, you ultimately have control over your therapeutic experience. Finding the right therapist can provide a way to become more in tune with yourself, motivations and desires and push you closer to your desired goals in the process.

STOP....Let me ask you a few questions. Let me know if any of this applies to you. Do you often find yourself feeling tired, stressed out, overwhelmed at work, unable to focus, or constantly feeling you need a break? How about this, when you finally take a break or vacation you notice that you don't enjoy the time away because there is a laundry list of things  you feel you should be doing or need to get done before you can relax? Have you found that you have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep because you are thinking or worrying about any and everything when you just need to get some rest? Last question, IF any of this is you, when would you like to get started working with me? My therapeutic style is psychoeducational and person centered in nature, however I do not believe in a one size fits all approach. Therapy is a collaboration and I am excited to collaborate with you in establishing goals and sharpening your focus to live your best life. Together we will work together to determine your treatment needs, call today to begin the journey of realizing your potential and purpose. I look forward to exploring your goals, providing motivation and being the advocate you need to transform your tomorrow.