Melanie Ahlf, Professional Counselor Associate
Melanie accepts:
Kaiser
Independent Contractor Therapist Request an Appointment
Teens, Adults (16+)
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.
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 facilitates mental flexibility and the choice to change. Self-compassion work is also a cornerstone to my approach. Outside of anxiety and OCD I have worked with depression, trauma, relationship challenges, low self-worth, ADHD, ASD and adjustment disorder as well.
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.
Prior to being a therapist, I was a hairstylist for ten years, which helped me hone my interpersonal skills. 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.
Specialties & Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention
Behavioral Activation
Self-compassion
Mindfulness
Trauma Informed Care
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobias
OCD
Intrusive Thoughts
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Depression
Adjustment Disorder
Relationship/Interpersonal Issues
Exploring Identity
Increasing Self-Awareness
LGBTQAI+
Existential Questions
Body Positivity
Supervisor: Annie Johns, LCSW, License No. L8387
