
Portland Therapy Project
We are so glad you made your way here!These first steps of looking for a therapist are some of the hardest. Finding someone to trust with your story can be so vulnerable. We hope that telling you a little about who we are can make it a little easier.PTP understands that not all of us come from a place of support and care, be it trauma due to race, size, class, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or family culture. Our clinicians are committed to holding space for healing and repair by building a foundation of understanding, trust, and respect.We want to support your innate ability to grow, change, and connect. Traumas, our history, the socio-economic and cultural realities we face can make it difficult to connect to ourselves and others. We provide a space where clients can connect with their body and emotions with clinicians dedicated to care and connection.
About Us
Portland Therapy Project is founded and run by Sawyer Salameh, LPC and Roza Skenderova, LPC. We share in our passion for giving back to our communities by providing OHP clients access to quality, queer knowledgeable care and supporting student interns in building sustainable practices.
For more information on us, check out our individual practices:portlandsomaticcounseling.com
ruggedheartcounseling.com

Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

Student Internships
Update: We will be opening our application process for 2024 in the Fall of 2023.Hello! If you would like to apply for an internship at Portland Therapy Project, please click the link at the bottom of this page. We do require all applicants to submit a CV/Resume and cover letter. Please note, we only accept new interns during FALL each year.Important dates:November 17th, 2023: All applications due for start time in Fall, 2024
December 7th, 2023 6-9pm: Group and individual interviews for Fall, 2024
January 9th, 2024: Notification of acceptance will be sent out
What We Offer
This placement will help student interns learn the skills to open their own private practice and become knowledgeable with the necessary paperwork for OHP. We focus on marginalized communities, utilizing social justice, trauma informed lenses and somatics. The majority of our clientele is LGBTQIA+ and using OHP. Supervision, trainings, and case conceptualizations will all utilize a somatic lens along with a dose of humor, support and care.
Who We Are Looking For
-Someone with somatic interest ( previous training in somatics not required)-A passion to work with OHP clients-Connection with the Queer community (we work with people from the sexuality spectrum and understand that we have a specialty in the queer community and need people that can understand the needs of everyone from the spectrum)-Able to be self motivated-Strong ability to self-reflective-Open to receiving and integrating feed back-Able to navigate not knowing and sitting in discomfort of new learning
An Internship at PTP includes...
Learning about assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and writing progress notes
Scheduling clients
Attending weekly supervision and monthly trains
Meeting with 10-12 clients a week (about 15 total hours)
Participating in community building
Being your awesome self
**To start the application process, please click here:
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

Meet Our Counselors
Tate Sprite
(They/Them)
Mental Health Intern
An authentic, down-to-earth connection with clients is essential to me. I see people as inherently good and capable of ongoing learning. We experiment together to recognize habits and see what else is possible. A huge aspect of my approach is attention to the present moment, feeling emotions and sensations in the body, relating to different parts of yourself with compassion, and getting comfortable with not knowing.I was born in Slovenia. My love for languages led me to a degree in Translation Studies, and I eventually came to the United States as a translator. Psychology and personal growth have been my passion since I was very young: I kept doing trainings and eventually leading workshops. Since 2013, I've been facilitating Authentic Relating and Circling events in the Portland area and online. Seeing participants transformed in beautiful ways has inspired me to get into therapy as a profession.I'm currently doing my Masters in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. I've also completed several extensive continuing education programs for therapists: Comprehensive Training in Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches (META), which includes Hakomi, Re-Creation of the Self, and Primary Attachment; Inner Relationship Focusing Teacher Training (guided self-discovery process based on accessing the body's implicit knowing); and the Art of Circling (a relational mindfulness and applied emotional intelligence practice).I look forward to supporting you on your journey.

Sara Jannette Sutter
(They/She)
Mental Health Intern
I believe that every person holds the map to their own healing. Within the therapeutic relationship, I support my clients in connecting with the inherent wisdom of their wounding and the tools needed to further liberate it. Through work that is curious and embodied, we will deepen attunement to all parts of ourselves in a meandering adventure of reclaiming wholeness.My approach is shaped by somatics, yoga, and wilderness immersion; my writing practice and transformation through arts’ communities; the cohort and coursework of California Institute of Integral Studies; deep dives into psychedelic healing with particular focus on integration through an Internal Family Systems lens; my journey of understanding how trauma has shaped me— the losses and the fortifications; and, most significantly, the relationships that bless my life with ongoing opportunities for mutual evolution.I am a queer, femme, white, Pacific Islander, first-generation college student, an oldest sibling, temporarily able-bodied, settler on Indigenous lands, and a lifelong learner. I am a lover of poetry, philosophy, astrology, backpacking, all ways of being in water, and pups.It is an honor and delight to be on this path with you.

Kapu Dancel
(She/They)
Mental Health Intern
I am a Kanaka ʻŌiwi, mixed heritage, queer, counseling intern with an eclectic background including movement arts, social work, and oration. Born and raised in Central Maui, I grew up in an interwoven community of Indigenous, immigrant, and transplant populations all trying to survive on a small island in the Pacific. This place of origin, and the people connected to it, have imbued me with a respect for the many ways that we as people creatively adapt in pursuit of survival, growth and even healing.As a counselor, I am interested in how we can foster imaginative, embodied, and relational space to explore the story you carry while creating more awareness, choice, and freedom. I believe therapy is a relational space of healing. Whether the relationship is with yourself, your partner(s), your friends, your colleagues, or your chosen or bio family–relationships impact our experience of the world around us. In therapy, I have the immense privilege to come alongside folks as they cultivate a life with space for healing, connection, and nuance.In my free time, you can find me creating visual short stories, playing with my rescue pitties, and facilitating creative movement classes through my non-profit, ‘Iolana Collective.

Kalpana Krishnamurthy
(She/Her)
Mental Health Intern
I am a graduate student in the marriage, couples, and family therapy program at Portland State University. I believe therapy can help us build a greater understanding of ourselves, and also be fun and also super weird. I am excited to work with clients of all kinds, and have a special love of bicultural issues for individuals and families, grief, transitions, and medical trauma.Before changing careers to therapy, I mostly worked at community-based organizations that worked on policy and organizing. A lot of my work was around making sure that people of color and other folks from marginalized backgrounds have the rights, recognition and resources they need to thrive. I have a cat named Whisper, a family with two teenage children, I love to cook and knit, and am an avid reader of romance novels.

Clinic Supervisors
Sawyer Salameh, LPC
(They/Them)Licensed Professional Counselor
Clinical Supervisor
I am so excited to be in a place where I can help clinicians grow and explore. The journey to become a therapist is way bigger than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky to be on this journey myself and learning new things. I had no idea how much personal growth I was in for when I started and now, I get to support other clinicians while they expand into themselves and learn. In understand how big of an undertaking this is for clinicians, I hope to create a space to grow and challenge one’s self without judgement, but rather with curiosity. The more we can learn about ourselves the more we can expand with our clients. I believe learning is about making mistake with openness and growing with new knowledge.
I will ask you to connect with your body to gain a larger understanding of yourself and your relationship with your clients. I will help you focus on your client’s relationship to their body, what comes up for you in yours when in session, inner child work and healing, and holding the complexity of everything we create in this world.

Roza Skenderova, LPC
(She/They)Licensed Professional Counselor
Clinical Supervisor
As counselors, our own selves (bodies, minds, hearts) are the tools of our work. Good support in growing our therapist self and sharpening our skillsets can provide opportunity to create deeply meaningful and sustainable work for oneself and our own clients. My supervision style is relational, emotionally attuned and guided by social justice principles. I am predominantly somatically trained (Neo-Reichian Therapy), draw on attachment theory, gestalt and work with trauma and developmental trauma with queer and trans individuals.My hope is that we can create a trusting, transparent, and collaborative space that can nourish your goals, learning edges, clinical skill set, interests and excitements in the vast field of therapy.

Office Administrator
Bree Koenig
(She/Her)Office Administrator
I am honored to connect with you as the first line of contact and compassion at Portland Therapy Project. As the dedicated office administrator, my mission is to ensure that every interaction with our center is infused with warmth and efficiency. Beyond my administrative role, I am equally passionate about my work as a psychotherapist in private practice. With a commitment to fostering emotional well-being, I support clients through various life challenges, providing guidance for self-discovery and growth. My dual roles allow me to seamlessly blend administrative expertise with therapeutic insight, creating a holistic and nurturing environment within Portland Therapy Project. It is my privilege to be a part of your transformative experience.For more information on Bree, please visit her psychotherapy practice website:
aylacounselingandwellness.com

Recent PTP Graduates
Katya Stark
ISABEL GRUSKA MCCUNE
Anya Ludwig
Rose Novak
rosenovakcounseling.clientsecure.me
Katie Solomon
Coming soon!
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

New Client Intake
Below is a sign up sheet to verify your benefits and eligibility for services and place you on our waitlist. Please note that our current wait to be matched with a counselor is at least 2 months.Insurance and Rates:
We currently take all Oregon Health Plan (OHP) insurance. Rates are $200 per 53 minute session. Usually, your insurer will cover 100% of session costs.
We are not accepting any out-of-pocket payments at this time.Are you in crisis?
Contact the Multnomah County Crisis Line at 503.988.4888 or dial 9-1-1 for emergency services. They will connect you with crisis lines outside MultCo if needed.Click here for information about local crisis services.
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

Upcoming Groups
Group For Socially Awkward People(Weekly) - Wondering how to be yourself, but in connection with people? You're not alone.
Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:30 PM - Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:30 PM PDT
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

Contact Us
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.com
Find Us
Oregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave, Suite 250
Portland, OR 97232
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR

Resources
Books
Relationships
Rock the Boat - Resmaa Menakem
Your Brain on Love - Stan Tatkin
Polysecure - Jessica Fern
Dating in Captivity - Esther Perel
Trauma
My Grandmother’s Hands - Resmaa Menakem
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk
Home Coming - John Bradshaw
Realm of the Hungry Ghost - Gabor Mate
Waking the Tiger - Peter Levine
Polyvegal Safety - Stephen W. Porges
When the Body Says No - Gabor Mate
Sexuality
Arousal - Michael Bader
Come as You Are - Emily Nagoski
Addiction
Realm of the Hungry Ghost - Gabor Mate
Poly
Polysecure - Jessica Fern
State of our Affairs - Esther Perel
Neurodivergence
The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills - Sonny Jane Wise
Family roles
Adult children of Immature Parents - Lindsay C. Gibson
Drama of the Gifted Child - Alice Miller
No Bad Parts - Richard Schwartz and Dr. Alanis Morrisette
Children
The Whole Brain Child - Daneil Siegel, and Tina Payne Bryson
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child - John Gottman
Codependency
Codependent No More - Melody Beattie
Political support
Quaking of America - Resmaa Menakem
My Grandmother’s Hands - Resmaa Menakem
Attachment
Attached - Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller
Your Brain on Love - Stan Tatkin
Polysecure - Jessica Fern
Episode 59-61 on Therapist uncensored
Private Practice
Radical Healership - Laura Mae Northrup
Other Practitioners
Tracy Andrews LAC
Trauma Informed Acupuncture
http://tracyandrewsacupuncture.com
Podcast
Therapist Uncensored
Where should we begin
The Modern Therapist
Jordan Dann
The secure relationship
Portland Therapy Project
503-917-5737
office@portlandtherapyproject.comOregon Plaza Building
825 NE 20th Ave.
Suite 250
© Portland Therapy Project
Made with ❤ in Portland, OR