Psychotherapy Portland, Oregon

Therapy for anxiety, shame, and self-criticism | LGBTQ+ affirming and grounded in IFS and mindfulness

When You’re Tired of Feeling at Odds With Yourself

Meet Eric Goodwin, Licensed Professional Counselor, a Portland therapist offering psychotherapy for anxiety, LGBTQ+ affirming counseling and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

There’s a point when so much of your effort goes into managing what’s happening inside that it feels like there’s no more room for the rest of your life. You keep going, trying to make decisions, show up for others, and stay on top of your responsibilities all while inside you’re doubting yourself and trying hard to keep overwhelming feelings at bay.

It can be isolating when so much of that effort is invisible to others. You may want support and connection while also worrying that letting them see more of what you’re carrying will change how they see you. When you’re already frustrated with yourself for struggling, being harder on yourself can start to feel like the only way to keep moving. That pressure can get you through a lot while also leaving you exhausted and caught in the same patterns you’ve been trying so hard to change.

If you’ve started wondering whether therapy could help, that question is worth taking seriously. You’ve already been putting a lot of effort into getting through what’s been weighing on you. My practice focuses on anxiety, shame, harsh self-criticism, and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy for people looking for support, with room for all of life’s messiness and a steady place to approach the discomfort that brought you here in the first place.

NOW WELCOMING NEW CLIENTS FOR ONLINE THERAPY ACROSS OREGON

Contact me for a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Healing Through Anxiety Therapy in Portland

Anxiety has a way of making ordinary uncertainty feel much more urgent. You may find yourself second-guessing decisions, anticipating what could go wrong, or spending more energy than you want trying to feel certain before you can move forward.

I specialize in anxiety therapy in Portland for adults dealing with worry, panic, overthinking, and the self-criticism that can grow around feeling anxious in the first place. My approach takes anxiety seriously without treating it as proof that something is wrong with you.

Compassionate Counseling for the LGBTQ+ Community in Portland

As a Queer therapist, I understand the unique challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re grappling with shame, anxiety, or the weight of self-criticism, you deserve a safe, affirming space to heal. Together, we can explore your experiences, uncover your inner strengths, and help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence and self-compassion.

It’s Time for a Change

You’ve tried all the self-help and self-care that you know to do but the overwhelm and self-doubt keep pulling at you. Advice from the people in your life that’s intended as helpful sounds nice, but frankly it’s making you feel more lost and isolated when it doesn’t work or when it’s a struggle to try and make small changes. Despite the struggles you’ve been facing, there’s that glimmer of hope that somehow you can find the relief and change you’ve been searching for. You’re not sure what those steps are but you are ready to reach out for support and ask for help so that you can finally live your life with more calm, confidence and connection!

Contact me for a free 15-minute consultation

Meet Eric Goodwin, Portland Therapist and LGBTQ+ Counselor

Eric Goodwin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon offering psychotherapy in Portland and online across the state — Eric Goodwin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon, offers psychotherapy in Portland for anxiety and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling, helping clients feel more at ease, connected, and understood. Now welcoming new clients for online sessions across Oregon.

I’m Eric Goodwin, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon specializing in LGBTQ+ affirming anxiety therapy. I offer psychotherapy in Portland and online across Oregon for adults who feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, self-criticism, or anxious rumination. My passion lies in helping adults overcome struggles with shame and self-criticism. With empathy and experience, I’ll work with you to uncover strategies tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Healing looks different for everyone, and I’m here to guide you through a process of self-discovery and growth. With online sessions available in Portland and throughout Oregon, I’ll help you build practices that carry you through life’s ups and downs.

Start Psychotherapy in Portland with a Counselor Who Listens and Gets It

Taking the step to reach out to a therapist is an important step toward change and healing, so I understand it carries a lot of weight. Finding the best therapist for you means getting more information and I’m here to address any uncertainties you have.

Ready to get started with anxiety therapy in Portland or LGBTQ+ affirming counseling in Oregon?

Let’s talk. Call (971) 533-5590 or click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. If you’re seeking psychotherapy in Portland or LGBTQ+ affirming counseling online across Oregon, I’ll help you find steady support and healing, relief from anxiety, and a path forward rooted in mindfulness.

Frequently Asked Questions about Psychotherapy in Portland

In most settings, the terms psychotherapist and therapist are used interchangeably. Both refer to trained professionals who offer talk therapy to help you better understand yourself, navigate challenges, and work toward emotional healing. That said, “psychotherapist” is sometimes used as a broader term that includes a variety of licensed professionals, like Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Psychologists, and Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).
The most important thing is finding someone who is a good fit for you, someone you feel safe with, who understands what you’re going through, and who works in a way that feels meaningful and supportive.
You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to start therapy. If you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in doubt and self-criticism, or unsure how to move forward, it may be a helpful time to reach out. Many people begin therapy simply because they want to feel more like themselves again. Whether you're navigating questions around your identity, difficult adjustments to life transitions, or just need support making sense of it all, therapy can offer steady, affirming care to help you feel more grounded and hopeful.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, stuck in your own thoughts, or unsure how to move forward, psychotherapy can offer a kind of support that goes deeper than just coping. It’s not about fixing you (you’re not broken), but about developing a strong understanding of your experience, reconnecting with your inner resources, and building a life that feels more aligned with who you are.
Especially for clients navigating anxiety or identity-related challenges, like many of my clients in the LGBTQ+ community, therapy can be a place where you don’t have to explain yourself or shrink to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be. You get to show up fully, just as you are, and be met with care, curiosity, and respect.
For many people, psychotherapy becomes not just a lifeline, but a turning point.
The most effective psychotherapy is the one that feels right for you, one where you feel seen, safe, and supported enough to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface.
There’s solid research behind many different approaches to therapy, like Mindfulness-Based approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Compassion-Focused Therapy. But more than any single method, what consistently leads to meaningful change is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist.
In my work, I draw from mindfulness, self-compassion, and parts work to help clients make sense of their inner world and gently shift how they relate to anxiety, self-doubt, or identity stress. For many LGBTQ+ clients, and anyone who’s been hard on themselves for a long time, this approach creates a space for healing that’s affirming, empowering, and deeply human.
So rather than focusing on a “best” psychotherapy, I encourage you to ask: Do I feel safe here? Do I feel like this therapist understands me? Am I allowed to be my full self in this space? If the answer is yes, that’s a strong sign you’re in the right place.