Coalesce Counseling Services, LLC — Mental health service in Portland, OR
Address959 SE Division St Suite 315 OR, Portland, OR 97214
Phone+1503-946-6530
Reviews on Google4.3 · 6 reviews
I've been working with Laura for a couple of years now and have completely enjoyed every aspect of it. I've truly transformed into the person I am today with her help dissecting my patterns from childhood, building a toolset to use when my anxiety kicks in, and developing spiritual practices and rituals. I 100% recommend her as a therapist! She is super warm and you feel very much held in her presence.
The somatics based EMDR and energy work Laura guided me through has allowed me to live panic free for the first time in years. She's just awesome - highly recommend to all those I know. I still visit for "tune-ups" when I need it.
Laura was a great fit for me from the start! I've worked with Laura for about a year and gained so much healing from the tools and insights introduced to me throughout our work together. I always feel safe and supported in her space and free to process the difficult emotions that can arise. Laura is very passionate about her work, using different creative and body-centered techniques and made sure to keep me informed along the way and always left me with something I could also practice at home - a meditation, a book to read, grounding exercises. After about a year of therapy and lots of hard work, I feel very centered, mindful, and free to be myself. Would send anyone and everyone to this wonderful lady!
I've had several counselors over the years and Laura is a great fit for me. I feel like I'm talking to my dearest friend who is equipped with tools to actually help me. Our sessions flow one to another without need to constantly review, this is a first for me. Our world views and life goals are similar and this is very important to find in a counselor as we are all subject to our own prejudices. Reiki has been beneficial as well, so glad to have the option to add this into a session.
Honestly I wish I could be as positive as the other reviewer. When I worked with Laura at first she was part of a group, and during that time I felt like we made a great deal of progress and worked together well. She taught me to ground myself, showed me the tapping technique, and started helping me work through my PTSD by hunting out the old bad 'programs' and by utilizing EMDR. Things seemed to change after she left the practice to be more on her own. I never felt like we had a clear direction to go. I often felt talked over, or that I shouldn't ought to be speaking at all. The last several sessions in fact I got the sense she didn't want me to speak at all, and would trample over me with her own words. But when I just swallowed down whatever I wanted to say she didn't really lead either. It all came to a boil during my last session. There were some communication snafus (Initially I canceled ASAP after a bad night involving and ER visit, but I perked up enough I thought I might make the appointment and I knew I badly needed the help.) and unfortunately I arrived a bit late. When I got there Laura was upset, and even though she had warning I was late, and immediately jumped down my throat about arriving late and the whole cancellation fiasco. After my spouse parked and joined us we started trying to work through this conflict, but unfortunately there was no solution. Laura told me straight up that because of how severe my PTSD was and the suicidal ideation I'd been fighting in recent times made me too much of a liability to her, and her clinic. So, feeling baffled and betrayed, I shook her hand and told her we were done. Bottom line: if your condition is serious you should look for a different therapist. Laura will not treat you if she thinks you're a liability to her practice. Additionally I want to offer up a warning: I also often felt manipulated by Laura. She pushed her spirituality on me, and I almost didn't write this review at all for fear hurting her feelings. A good therapist should not make you feel that way.
I have had 6 or 7 sessions with Laura so far, using EMDR, reiki and other tools. She is bright and caring and the sessions have been very effective, even quite fun. I feel very safe and respected and whole in the space she creates. I highly recommend working with her.
Location
Also in Portland
Dr. Alix Sklarew, DPT, is a physical therapist in Portland, Oregon, specializing in STOTT Pilates-based rehabilitation. Her approach integrates precise movement teaching with gentle hands-on techniques for holistic healing. Dr. Sklarew holds certifications in women's pelvic health and vestibular rehabilitation, along with additional training in CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from California State University, Northridge. Dr. Sklarew works with a wide range of orthopedic conditions, with a particular interest in Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Her philosophy centers on patient expertise, prioritizing close listening and collaborative treatment planning to restore pain-free movement and function, often addressing complex or persistent issues.
Anya Valsamakis is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience in social work, including mental health, case management, education, and career planning. She integrates her social work values into a therapeutic relationship, emphasizing trust, truth-telling, and collaboration to foster transformation. Valsamakis has a particular interest in the empowerment of women and girls, and immigrants and refugees, driven by a commitment to social justice. Her practice incorporates somatic, body-mind counseling methods, which blend conscious insights with unconscious discoveries communicated through the body. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's Degree (MSW) in social work and has studied mediation and intercultural communication.
Sara Bowes is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified Chinese herbalist practicing in Southeast Portland, Oregon, with over 14 years of experience. Her approach is rooted in classical Chinese medicine, focusing on identifying root causes and underlying patterns of imbalance to promote lasting health. Sara offers a range of natural and holistic treatments, including acupuncture, microneedling, light therapy, gua sha, cupping, and herbal medicine. She also provides nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Sara has extensive training in mindfulness-based somatic therapy, interpersonal neurobiology, and whole foods nutrition. She particularly enjoys working with women experiencing digestive issues, menstrual and hormonal challenges, and those navigating perimenopause and menopause. Her treatments aim to harness the body's innate capacity for healing, regeneration, and recalibration, offering effective change with minimal side effects.