Lynne Joy Nesbit, M.S., N.C.C., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor
37 SW Jefferson ~ 423 North East 60th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
503-282-0182
Email: lynnejoy@gmail.com
Lynne Joy Nesbit, founder and director of Wise Counsel & Comfort, offers skilled, compassionate therapy for adults, and couples...
..... "It is my privilege to work as a counselor and therapist, to be trusted with the most personal of your concerns as you explore and examine whatever it is that stands in the way of having the life you desire.”
My Therapy Style – Truth-Telling & Integrity
My style is best described as forthright, grounded, honest and open.
Therapy with me is often challenging, frequently lighthearted, and always supportive.
I am relentlessly curious and I encourage you to be just as curious. We’ll both ask and answer lots of questions. My expectation is that through your thoughtful and honest consideration of these questions, and of my feedback as well, you’ll find the solutions you’re looking for.
One thing my clients will tell you is that I’m a stickler for truth-telling.
I try to be watchful, helping clients recognize when they’re holding themselves (or me) at arm’s length from the truth. We learn subtle dishonesty in our culture. We’re angry and we say “nothing’s wrong.” We’re hurt and we say “It’s OK, really.” We’re too depressed to come to work and we call in sick. We rage at our partners that they don’t understand us, but rarely are we courageous enough to speak the simple truth… yet we yearn to be understood.
When we’re not grounded in truth, we settle for less… less integrity, less authenticity, less intimacy, less life. It may seem easier, but in the long run, it’s exhausting. I work to help my clients become more familiar, and more comfortable with the experience of living and speaking the truth.
Relationship Therapy: Couples & Partners
Whether you're dealing with the very hardest issues -- deciding whether to separate or divorce -- or trying your best to find your way towards reconciliation, couple's counseling can be a much needed support and resource.
And if your relationship therapy goals are happy ones? Are you experiencing the dizzying exhilaration of beginning a new relationship, laying a foundation for a solid, trusting partnership, coming to clear agreements and relationship goals, building intimacy or preparing for marriage? I'd be delighted to support you in that endeavor as well.
Being in a troubled relationship is so, so hard. Trying to cope with painful emotions of anger, resentment, sadness, fear, frustration. . . the list goes on and on. At the same time, you're faced with managing the day-to-day tasks of work and finances, perhaps trying to parent the best you can in the midst of conflict, crisis or silence. You may be exhausted and near the breaking point. Finding the right therapist, someone with the skills and capacity to be open-minded and respectful, someone you can trust to be fair, to really listen and help you sort out the conflicts and contradictions can be really hard.
I have specialized in working with couples for twelve years. I am very comfortable with helping couples speak frankly and openly about issues of sexuality, parenting and finances, and have substantial experience helping partners face challenging issues of infidelity and addictions.
My work is grounded in helping each partner speak and hear the truth, understand one another, and bring compassion and even humor to your communication. Theoretically, I draw from the research and methods of Drs. John and Julie Gottman, as well as Harville Hendrix. These well respected professionals have done exhaustive research on what makes for long-term contentment and satisfaction in relationships, and what behaviors and attitudes will almost inevitably lead to a relationship ending in pain.
The goal of our work together may be reconciliation, but not always. In some relationships, the task is really to bring the relationship to an end with the least harm to all parties, and I feel privileged to assist in that process as well.
Education, Experience & Training
I have been a professional counselor for eighteen years, in both private practice and agency settings.
My first career, in the 1970’s was as director of the sexual assault prevention and women’s self defense program, WomenStrength, for the Portland Police Bureau. In the 80's, I founded a nonprofit organization, now known as "Listen to Kids" providing education on child abuse, sexual assault and family violence.
In graduate school, I managed the Community Counseling Clinic at Portland State University and have served on the clinical teams at Tualatin Valley Mental Health (now known as LifeWorks Northwest) and Providence Portland Medical Center.
My master’s degree in Counseling and bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice were awarded with honors from Portland State University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (State of Oregon, OBLPCT C2242), I hold national certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors, membership in the American Counseling Association, the Oregon Counseling Association and the Women’s Therapy Project Northwest, and I abide by the highest ethical standards of my profession. I complete more than 60 hours of continuing professional education each year. In recent years I have completed: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder training with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, couple’s therapy training with Drs. John and Julie Gottman, cognitive behavioral therapy with Dr. Judith Beck, Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy through the Wellness Institute, and intensive hypnotherapy training with Dr. Emmett Miller.
I have expertise in issues of relationship (with partners, as well as with one's self), depression, self defeating behaviors and beliefs, and spirituality. With regard to the use of medications, I recognize that they can be helpful for some clients, but I firmly believe medications alone are rarely the answer.
Spirituality
I have deep respect for my clients’ spiritual paths and find that spirituality is often fundamental to the process of growth and healing. There’s ample scientific evidence of the positive impact of meditation and other spiritual practices on our physical being ~ how could it not have an influence on our thoughts, emotions and behaviors?
Guided Visualization
Though some think of alternative therapies as unproven, when they are provided by well trained professionals, they can be very helpful. These techniques are firmly grounded in decades of research, documented and endorsed by the American Medical Association. In guided visualization, you can experience extraordinary relaxation during which your critical, analytical mind can rest while your inner wisdom, your conscious and subconscious mind can work in harmony to bring about changes you desire.
Fee Policy
I offer initial consultations at no cost, and discounted fees to those for whom therapy would otherwise be unaffordable. My fee is $125 per 50 minute hour for individual or couple’s sessions. If, after the initial consult, we agree to begin therapy and you are unable to pay my standard fee, we will decide together on fees you can afford. Please do not let financial strain be a barrier to contacting me. Payment is made at each session. Other than illness or accident, if your appointment is canceled with less than 24 hours notice, I ask that you honor the payment of fees for that hour.
In the early years of my practice, I made a decision not to accept payment from insurance companies or third parties. I'm glad to provide receipts so you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company.
I do accept credit and debit cards.
First Appointment
At our first session, we will create a written agreement that outlines: (1) confidentiality and the limits to confidentiality; (2) a treatment plan describing the problem that you're dealing with, and your thoughts about counseling goals and (3) our fee agreement. The treatment plan will keep our work on track and moving toward your goals. We will meet weekly for a given period of time – often 4 to 12 weeks. As that time comes to an end, we will review and evaluate the work we’ve done together and decide what our next step will be. I’m able to provide short term, solution-focused counseling, as well as long term insight oriented therapy.
Confidentiality
Therapy can only be effective with the assurance of privacy. All records of our work together are held in the strictest confidence. There are certain important exceptions to confidentiality that we will discuss at our first appointment.
In closing. . .
I’m guessing that if you’ve read this far, you’re on a diligent search for just the right therapist. If you have a hunch that might be me, please give me a call in Portland at 503-282-0182, or e-mail me at: lynnejoy@gmail.com.
All the best,
Lynne Joy
Lynne Joy Nesbit is listed at
AllTherapist.com
A few of my very favorite websites…
FREE self defense training for women and girls
WomenStrength
ComedySportz Workshops (improvisational, competitive, funny, fun)
http://www.portlandcomedy.com/workshops/
Beliefnet -- a wonderful site about spirituality & wellness including searchable sacred writings of all world religions ~ BeliefNet
The Baha’i Faith
Baha'i Faith
World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts (amazing)
World Scripture
