Taylor Alderson M.A., LMFT
Welcome
Taylor Alderson
Trauma-informed Therapist
Depth Psychology
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration
Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator
My approach as a psychotherapist is collaborative
“No Mud, No Lotus: Most people are afraid of suffering. But suffering is a kind of mud to help the lotus flower of happiness grow. There can be no lotus flower without the mud.” Thich Nhat Hanh
About Me
My goal is to create an empathic space for self-reflection and acceptance resulting in transformed relationship to self and others. I promote safety, transparency, and the development of tools that will empower you in all areas of life culminating in increased capacity for authentic self-expression and creativity. Together, we identify both maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that are preventing you from thriving and adaptive behaviors including resiliencies and strengths that will enable you to create a life in which you can thrive.
I am a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. I currently hold a Master of Clinical Counseling with an emphasis in Depth Psychology degree (MFT). I am also a certified practitioner in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am a trauma-informed clinician working through a structural family and ecological systems perspective. I use the science-informed Polyvagal Theory in helping my clients learn and understand their own nervous system survival responses increasing their ability to safely connect with other people. Using evidence-based psychoeducation and exercises clients will learn tools to help them manage mood states, relational difficulties, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and other manifestations of past relational and event traumas.
I completed MAPS-Certified MDMA-Assisted Therapy Practitioner training in 2022 and Fluence Psilocybin Assisted-Therapy Oregon Facilitator training in 2023. I offer psychedelic preparation and integration. I am passionate about the process of integrating plant medicine experiences and bringing their teaching/insights into the psychotherapeutic process. I have experience working with individuals experiencing various forms of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, grief/loss as well as couples, family conflict and young adults.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will rule your life and you will call it Fate”. — Carl Gustav Jung
Education
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Master of Clinical Counseling with Emphasis in Depth Psychology
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
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Certification
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EMDR Certification
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MDMA-Assisted Therapist Training Certification
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Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Facilitator Certification
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Psychedelic Integration Therapy
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Specialized Training
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Ketamine Assisted Therapy Training
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Core Shamanism Training
Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA
California State University, Long Beach, CA
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness
Multidisciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies -MAPS
Fluence
Fluence
Polaris Insight Center ​
Foundation For Shamanic Studies
Therapeutic Modalities
Depth Psychology
EMDR Therapy
Psychedelic Integration
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Depth psychology proposes that the psychic process is partially conscious, unconscious, and semi-conscious. In practice, a depth therapist seeks to explore the thoughts, feelings, and motivations that lie at each level as a way to connect with the roots of the experience of malady and suffering that may include therapeutic traditions that explores the unconscious and involves the study and exploration of dreams, complexes, and archetypes. Depth Psychology is based on the theories of Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), a Swiss psychiatrist who developed Analytical Psychology. This approach focuses on the psyche, human development, personality formation, and individuation. Individuation is a process of bringing our unconscious potential into a concrete living reality. This process helps to secure a bridge between an individual and the unconscious as well as the individual and their wider community. By incorporating both an inner and outer exploration, one discovers a more potent sense of meaning and purpose in life. Jung believed that psychological distress is a result of an imbalance within the individual that often is experienced as an alienation from the deeper personality, or what he called the “Self.” Jungian psychotherapy seeks to restore the individual’s connection to the Self. This effort can be achieved through the therapeutic relationship, dream interpretation, active imagination, and work with expressive therapies.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is an evidenced-based approach to treating trauma and PTSD. EMDR is designed to heal the emotional distress resulting from traumatic memories. In addition, it is effective in treating co-occurring disorders resulting from trauma. Some researchers believe that EMDR works by engaging similar brain mechanisms as those that are involved in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The repeated redirection of attention caused by eye movements used EMDR therapy creates a neurobiological state that resembles REM sleep. Therefore, traumatic and emotionally charged memories can be processed so they are no longer distressing. After successful treatment with EMDR Therapy, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological and somatic arousal is reduced. In EMDR Therapy, the client focuses on troubling image or negative memory while simultaneously moving their eyes back and forth. To prompt this eye moment, EMDR practitioners might move their fingers from side to side, tap their hand from side to side, or wave a wand. The client moves their eyes back and forth to follow prompt. During this processing, the client notices whatever thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations that arise. The eye movements prompt the brain to make associations and neural connections that help integrate disturbing material. Eventually, the distress associates with memories dissolves.
As a Psychedelic Integration Therapist, I utilize a harm reduction model, providing a non-judgmental confidential space for clients to prepare for and process their psychedelic experience. Some find it difficult to make sense of what they experienced during their non ordinary state, whether it was magical, healing, or one of confusion, it's important to integrate the experience into one's daily life. Psychedelic Integration Therapy is a critical piece of the healing journey that is far too often overlooked or ignored. Gaining awareness without moving it into action or change, is merely awareness that quickly submerges back into the subconscious mind. Psychedelic Integration does not include the administration of psychedelic medicines; however, I can help you make sense of the experience. There are significant legal and medical risks associated with casual use of psychedelics. These risks are amplified for people who are already experiencing mental health difficulties making consulting with your mental health provider an important part of your journey with plant medicine. While I do not advocate or advise the use of illegal substances, I understand that psychedelic medicines have been an impactful component of the human experience for thousands of years. Psychedelic Integration should not be viewed as an endorsement of using such substances, but rather a way to help clients through experiences that have left them with more questions than answers.
Resources
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - text: 988 Call or text 988 to reach a live representative - 24/7 help for those who are in crisis or experiencing distress. https://988lifeline.org/
Crisis Text Line - text "HOME" to 741741 - 24/7 support for those in crisis. https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/
Deaf Crisis Line - video phone: 321-800-3323 - 24/7 crisis support. https://www.deafinc.org/deaflead/24-hour-crisis-line-for-the-deafhh.html
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 800 799 7233 - 24/7 trained advocates to support domestic violence survivors. https://www.thehotline.org/
LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline 1 866 488 7386 - 24/7 crisis text/chat line providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1 800 656 4673 - confidential support from a specialist to find resources in your community and resources to seek safety if you have experienced sexual assault. https://rainn.org/
Trans Lifeline 1 877-565-8860 - a non-profit and hotline that supports trans people in crisis by connecting them to emotional and financial resources. https://translifeline.org/
The Somatic Experiencing® method is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. https://traumahealing.org/
The International End of Life Doula Association dedicated to brining deeper meaning and greater comfort to dying people and loved ones in the last days of life. https://inelda.org/
Work With Me
Telephone: (310) 210-9510
Email: tayloralderson@me.com
I Currently Offer Teletherapy Sessions
Portland, Oregon 97209
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Wednesday-Friday 10am - 7pm
​​Saturday: 10am - 3pm
​Sunday: Closed
