PATRICIA LEE, LCSW I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon with 22 years of combined experience in mental health and medical social work. I graduated from the School of Social Work at Portland State in 1993 and subsequently participated in a training and consultation group that was led by some of my former professors. It was that training through the former Institute for Family Centered Therapy that ultimately influenced who I am as a counselor and social worker today and how I have practiced therapy over the years. My therapy approach is based on models that help empower clients by identifying strengths in themselves and their families. When people feel empowered they can and will improve all aspects of their lives. My style is collaborative. I view my clients as partners and establish treatment goals with them. I educate clients about any therapy modalities that I use with them, and keep them informed about their progress. I ask questions to elicit the client’s curiosity about his or her situation so that my clients can have a different emotional response to that situation. They will ultimately have a different (empowered) understanding of self. My practice experience has been with children, adolescents and their parents earlier in my career. The bulk of my clients have been adults of all ages with issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, family issues, other relationship issues, health and medical problems, employment concerns, bereavement, end of life concerns, and a host of other problems. I have provided individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy and group therapy in a variety of employment settings and in private practice. I have extensive experience in counseling adults receiving dialysis treatment at several outpatient clinics in the Portland metro area. I know that there are many barriers to pursuing counseling, including whatever stressful situation that you find yourself in, the stigma attached to mental health, the logistics of finding a counseling program or center, the difficulties of scheduling counseling appointments, and the challenges of connecting with a counselor that is right for you. I want you to know that schedule is flexible and I that will work with you to get through any other barriers.