Jenette Arellano

Therapy with me is a space for authenticity, self-discovery, and a little bit of silliness - because growth doesn’t have to be all serious. My goal is to help you navigate life in a way that feels truly aligned with who you are. Starting therapy is no easy feat - it is a vulnerable space that delves into the nuances of how we, as complex beings, show up in the world. Often times, the way we show up is vastly informed by various factors such as our family of origin, cultural background, relationships, trauma, fear, socioeconomic status, identities, self-talk, and more. As a person-centered therapist, I am committed to meeting you where you are and following your process as you explore the factors that may need extra love and tending to.

Therapy is a powerful tool that can help clients in various aspects of their life. From exploring habitual relationship patterns, historical ways of coping, and gaining perspective and understanding of their emotions - a lot can be discovered about oneself. Like most good things, healing does not happen overnight. I believe that healing begins when the client finds safety within the therapeutic relationship and can turn to the counselor to seek warmth, validation, and speak their truth without judgment. I offer direct feedback in a gentle way and will always check-in with you (and your partner, if in relationship counseling) if you need me to take a different approach and how you feel in session. In my practice, I focus on connection as a tool for supporting you in making attainable changes, at your pace, that feel good to you.

I graduated from the Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling track at Portland State University and have a background of working with clients who struggle with eating disorders/body image issues, anxiety, people pleasing, depression, low self-esteem, high conflict relationships, social anxiety, and various forms of trauma. I am a person-centered therapist with an eclectic approach because everyone has their own unique needs and experiences - we are not one size fits all. Some therapeutic modalities that I use are Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and I work through an existential-humanistic lens. As we focus on the present moment, we will explore attachment styles, family dynamics, generational cycles, habitual patterns, and relational roles.

The first session focuses on gathering information and establishing goals for treatment. We will review informed consent, confidentiality, and policies, then discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and relevant personal history. You will have the opportunity to share at your own pace while I begin to assess your needs and determine an appropriate treatment approach. The session also allows you to ask questions and ensure that the therapeutic fit feels right for you.