Melanie Ahlf, Professional Counselor Associate
Melanie accepts:
Kaiser
Independent Contractor Therapist
I believe that, at times, life can be difficult in a myriad of ways, but that we all have the ability to access the resilience necessary to lead fulfilling lives. People often need support in order to heal/grow and I am here to offer that. Clients have told me that I offer a calm, safe/grounded space to discuss their issues and explore paths to expansion. As a client-led therapist, I will honor your goals, but am not afraid to gently challenge you, when necessary, so that you may confront the things that are getting in your way.
When I’m not working, I enjoy hanging out with my dog, getting outdoors, board games, reading and spending time near the ocean.
I have personally experienced therapy that has been incredibly helpful and some that was not–so I encourage you to listen to yourself and honor your needs when choosing someone to work with. I encourage clients to give feedback in regard to treatment because what works for one person doesn't always resonate for the next. My hope is that together we can find the tools and techniques that work for you.
Education and Experience
I joined Counseling Services of Portland after graduating from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program with a Master's Degree. I have a B.S. in Editorial Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I spent a year working at an anxiety clinic where I specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and specifically Exposure and Response Prevention, which is an evidence based intervention used to treat anxiety disorders, specific phobias, panic disorder and OCD. I also work with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which is a modality that encourages the use of mindfulness, which can facilitate cognitive flexibility and the choice to change. Self-compassion work is also a cornerstone to my approach. Outside of anxiety and OCD I work with depression, relationship challenges, low self-worth, trauma, ADHD, existential issues and adjustment disorder.
I welcome people from all cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, races, gender expressions and sexualities and enjoy working with a diverse population of clients. I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients aged 8 to 70.
Supervisor: Annie Johns, LCSW, License No. L8387
Client Focus
Individual Teens, Adults (16+)
Modalities & Styles
CBT, ERP, Client Centered
Specialties
Addiction recovery
Anxiety & depression
Grief & loss
LGBTQIA+ issues
Men’s issues
OCD
Relationship issues
Self-esteem/confidence issues
Women’s issues
