Existential Humanistic NorthWest Affiliates

Archetypal Associates is a training organization for Shannon Pernetti and Diane Steinbrecher, who co-teach The Fundamentals and Application of Archetypal Pattern Analysis in workshops and monthly training and application groups.  They have co-authored a book, called:  The Treasure Within, An Archetypal Unfolding Of Your Infinite Potential.

Both of them are on the faculty of the Assisi Institute:  The International Center for the Study of Archetypal patterns.

They are currently offering a year long once a month training on Finding The Treasure Within

Shannon Pernetti is an Archetypal Pattern Analyst and Integral Therapist who has been in private practice in Portland, Oregon since 1975.  Her work focuses on shifting core patterns and archetypal alignments to facilitate a fundamental unity with the Self.

Diane Steinbrecher is an Archetype Pattern Analyst, Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapist and Addictions and Integral Psychotherapist for over 45 years.  She also provides consultations and supervision to clinicians and those attaining licensure.

I am a therapist in Portland, Oregon. I work with clients on a diverse range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, lack of fulfillment, life transitions, relationship issues, personal growth, LGBTQ issues, and polyamory & consensual non-monogamy.

It is my belief that within each of us lies the potential for personal growth and positive change. I use an Existential-Humanistic approach to therapy, which involves exploring and discovering one’s unique and authentic self. In this work, we will explore themes such as choice, responsibility, meaning, purpose, and authenticity so that you may discover a more intentional way of being.

I also believe that we experience distress when we struggle to reconcile the way things are with the way we want things to be. When this is the case, it can feel like we’ve lost control of our lives, that the world is happening to us, or we’ve lost a sense of who we are. I help clients become empowered to reclaim their lives so that they may live intentionally, authentically, and with integrity, as active players in the creation of their own life experience.

I am an existential-humanistic psychotherapist with over 45 years of experience. I provide individual and couples psychotherapy, as well as consultation, supervision, workshops, and trainings for clinicians, interns, and students. I am a blogger for Psychology Today and have published various writing on the existential-humanistic perspective. I am the founder and current president of the Existential-Humanistic Northwest professional organization.

I am passionate about the existential-humanistic perspective in both my personal and professional life. To me, the perspective embraces all of what it means to exist. It values each unique, individual journey. We always have a choice to change our attitude and behavior, even in the most limited of conditions or circumstances. Our choice matters in that we impact the world by our feelings, thoughts and actions. I believe as we work through our wounds we move towards health and wholeness, both individually and collectively.

The act of doing therapy is a bit like tending to a garden; it takes diligence and care to achieve growth! It sounds challenging I know, but the outcomes and successes of working on yourself and your relationships far outweigh the negatives. All of us have gardens that need occasional weeding and replanting, and when we’re not attending to these important details, or taking care of ourselves, we can experience feelings of depression, anxiety, restlessness and frustration.

In choosing to work with me, I will guide and encourage you by providing the necessary tools and resources that allow you to create a healthy and bountiful garden of your own. Counseling is a joint effort which cannot be successful without both of our commitment, hard work and courage. I believe therapy provides a place to explore thoughts and feelings about relationships in your life as well as your relationship with yourself. Therapy also allows you the opportunity to practice new ways of interacting with others in a safe and trusting atmosphere where you are not judged or criticized.

If you are suffering, I’d love to help.  I bring a combination of supportive counseling and depth therapeutic techniques, as well as beautiful tools ranging from the tradition of Indian Yoga to using Image-making in my work with all of my clients.  Whether we begin with talking or moving or making, you are one person and together we will work to help you along in your own walk with life.

 Psychotherapy & Counseling

 Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor

I offer individual psychotherapy for adolescents and adults to work towards your personal growth or to address issues such as depression, anxiety, and addictions. I offer traditional, Humanistic talk therapy, substance abuse assessment & therapy, conflict resolution, desensitization or assertiveness training, and sprituality searching including Reiki energy work. Therapy with me is often spirited and marked by humor, frequently challenging (but always supportive) and can be life changing. In therapy you will move towards introspection and self-awareness. With my support, you will work towards answering your personal life questions.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) working from an Existential-Humanistic framework. I have been in private practice as a mental health counselor for over fifteen years working mostly with adults with a wide range of emotional and mental health issues. I use a variety of tools to support their healing process, including art expression and EMDR.
I have found that having a sense of why we are here on this planet has a tremendous impact on our mental and emotional well being. In counseling, I help my clients discover what blocks them from a sense of meaning in their lives and find ways to live more fully. Some clients are discovering their purpose for the first time while others are discovering a new meaning after facing the loss of their life purpose.
I am, also, a certified Archetypal Pattern Analyst which helps me further identify life patterns which may be standing in the way of fully embracing life and living with authenticity.
I began my career as an early childhood educator, working with parents and young children, training preschool teachers and providing a lab site for Chemeketa Community College’s Early Childhood training program. Next, I taught parenting and personal growth classes at Chemeketa Community College. I worked in a program designed to help people overcome life difficulties and begin a career or find a new career after suffering the loss of their life’s work. Those years taught me much about what it takes to overcome injustice, poverty, abuse, mental illness, addictions and trauma to find meaning on the other side.
I serve on the board for Existential-Humanistic NorthWest, a professional organization which promotes existential-humanistic values including authenticity, integrity, responsibility, inclusion, and awe.