gretchen’s story

Hi! I’m Gretchen (she/her). I was born and raised right here in Portland Oregon! Although I did leave to explore some other places, Washington, California and Montana to name a few, but my heart always leads me home to PDX. I love spending time outside and learning about the natural environment. I enjoy volunteering with organizations that provide education to the public about native flora and fauna.  

Asking for help can be hard, but getting help doesn't have to be. I offer a compassionate and welcoming therapeutic environment for us to explore the issues that have brought you to counseling.  My practice is grounded in empathy and understanding. I use Person Centered and Solution focused counseling as well as EMDR therapies.  Your wellness is my top priority, together we will build resiliency skills and plans to help you continue to face any challenge that comes your way.

My early career was spent working in teen leadership. I developed programming and worked with organizations, including the University of Washington and Multnomah ESD Outdoor School, that helped youth develop leadership skills, as well as develop their own sense of identity and direction. Teen years are a time of immense growth and choice, and I am here to help young people navigate their own paths. I’ve also worked with incarcerated individuals in Portland's correctional system. I had the privilege of hearing people's stories and holding space for them as they navigated our complex legal system, as well as helping them build positive coping skills of their own.

The modern world is a daunting place that can be hard to navigate alone.  All of us have felt pain, and all of us deserve space to process and grow from our experiences. I’ve worked together with my clients to address PTSD, complex PTSD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression, existential dread, career readiness, life transitions, and developing personal insight. I have been trained in EMDR to further assist in my client's healing. It is always an honor and a privilege to witness people's stories and facilitate their growth.

Now the professional stuff: 

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon with a Bachelors in International Studies and a minor in Biology. Between my first and second degrees, I served two AmeriCorps terms in Seattle and San Francisco.  

With the San Francisco Unified School District, I developed mentorship programs that contributed to improved retention rates among a diverse group of at-risk students by building positive mentorship relationships between school staff and youth as well as fostering students’ connection with the school community.

During my graduate studies in Missoula, Montana I had the privilege of working with schools in both urban and rural settings. The Charlo School District, where l worked as a school counselor during the final months of my program, is situated on the Flathead Indian Reservation in a town of 250 people. The school serves students from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, with a large number of students receiving free or reduced lunch.  Working with students within this community consisted of a great deal of consultation and cultural humility.  My supervisor coached me in how to best support the varying individualized needs of each student through active listening and rapport building. Putting my student-clients’ needs at the forefront of my work is imperative in my efforts to advocate for them directly and offer them the necessary tools to succeed.

I am a registered LPC Associate in the state of Oregon. I am supervised by Katya Ludwig, LCSW.

See our fees and insurance page to determine if Gretchen is in network with your insurance plan.

You can reach Gretchen directly at gretchen@sprouttherapypdx.com