Welcome
Taylor Alderson M.A., LMFT
Trauma Therapist
EMDR Therapist
Depth Psychology
Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration
Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator
My approach as a psychotherapist is collaborative
Client population and specializations include LGBTQ, Native American, survivors of religious abuse, individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use disorder and adult children of alcoholics.
“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
I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps adults heal from the lasting impact of childhood trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. My work supports clients experiencing symptoms of PTSD, CPTSD, AUD, SUD, ACA, anxiety, and depression.
I integrate EMDR , DBT, psychodynamic depth work, and mindfulness-based therapies to foster lasting change.
I offer a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore emotions, rebuild trust, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and others. Whether your goal is to break free from long-standing patterns or to find relief from anxiety, I am committed to helping you move from surviving to thriving.
My approach is grounded in empathy and transparency with the goal of deepening self-reflection and acceptance. Together, we identify maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors that hold you back while building on your existing strengths and resilience. This process supports authentic self-expression and empowers you to create a more fulfilling, connected life.
I also incorporate the science-based principles of Polyvagal Theory to help clients understand their nervous system survival responses, increasing their ability to safely reconnect with themselves and others. Through evidence-based psychoeducation and guided practices, clients learn tools to manage mood, navigate relationship challenges, reduce anxiety and depression, and address the lingering effects of past relational and event-based trauma.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will rule your life and you will call it fate”. CG Jung
Academic Background
Education
Master of Clinical Counseling with Emphasis in Depth Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Certifications
EMDR Certification
MDMA-Assisted Therapist Training Certification
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Facilitator Certification
Psychedelic Integration Therapy
Specialized Training
Ketamine Assisted Therapy Training
Core Shamanism Training
Licensure
California Board of Behavioral Health
Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
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
California #120638
Oregon #T1880
Therapeutic Modalities
Depth Psychology
EMDR Therapy
Psychedelic Integration
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.
What to Expect in Your First EMDR Session
Starting therapy can feel intimidating — and starting EMDR therapy can bring even more questions. Here’s a look at what you can expect so you can feel more comfortable and prepared.
1. We Begin with Safety and Connection
Before any EMDR processing begins, we focus on building a sense of safety and trust. This includes discussing your history, your goals for EMDR therapy, and exploring and establishing resources and coping skills you can use between sessions.
2. Understanding the EMDR Process
I’ll Walk you through how EMDR works, why it’s effective for trauma, and what the eight phases look like in practice. You’ll learn how bilateral stimulation — such as eye movements, taps, or sounds — helps the brain reprocess distressing memories.
3. Identifying Target Memories
Together, we’ll explore which traumatic experiences may be contributing to current symptoms. This step is collaborative — you’re in control of what we work on and when.
4. Processing at Your Pace
During reprocessing, I’ll guide you through sets of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while you recall aspects of the target memory. This helps the brain reprocess the stored experience including somatic, emotional, and psychological memory. We go at your pace, checking in regularly to ensure you feel supported.
5. Closing with Stability
Session will often end with techniques to restore emotional regulation, so you leave session feeling grounded and safe.
The Goal:
EMDR helps shift the way distressing memories are stored in the brain, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing for more adaptive beliefs about yourself and your life. Many clients find relief faster than with traditional talk therapy alone.
If you’re curious about how EMDR can help you heal, I offer consultations to answer questions and explore if we’re a good fit.
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/
Fireside Project is a hotline providing support for psychedelic challenges: https://firesideproject.org/
“If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, I’d be honored to work with you.
Contact me today to schedule a consultation.”
I Currently Offer Teletherapy Sessions
Portland, Oregon 97209
Tuesday - Friday
10:00 AM- 6:00 PM