Elyse Johansen, Professional Counselor Associate
Meet Elyse
Hello! I’m Elyse Johansen (she/her), a Registered Professional Counselor Associate in Oregon. I work with adolescents and adults, as well as couples and families, who are looking for a relational, collaborative, and thoughtful approach to therapy.
I support clients navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship and attachment patterns, identity exploration, life transitions, substance use concerns, and internal conflict. Some of the people I work with have felt hesitant or resistant to therapy in the past, or have experienced social, cultural, or emotional isolation. Others may feel stuck between different wants, needs, or parts of themselves—wanting something to change while also feeling protective of what is familiar.
You Might Be a Good Fit If...
You’re curious about yourself and interested in understanding your experiences and relationships more deeply—even if you’re not always sure what you’re feeling or where to begin. You may be:
Working through trauma or difficult past experiences.
Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or internally conflicted.
Noticing relationship or attachment patterns that you want to better understand.
Exploring your identity or how your identities shape your experiences and relationships.
Navigating a significant life transition or period of uncertainty.
Experiencing concerns related to substance use or addiction.
Feeling disconnected, isolated, or as though parts of yourself have not always been understood or welcomed.
Wanting to build safer, more connected relationships with others and with yourself.
Looking for therapy that feels collaborative and non-pathologizing rather than focused on what is “wrong” with you.
How I Work
My approach is relational, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens in the context of safety, trust, and connection. I work to create a space where you can bring your full self—including the parts that may feel messy, conflicted, painful, protective, or difficult to put into words.
Rather than approaching therapy as something being done to you, I see it as work we do together. We may explore how past experiences influence your present relationships, make space for different emotions or internal parts, notice patterns that have developed as ways of protecting yourself, and strengthen your connection with your body and nervous system. We’ll move at a pace that respects your lived experience, readiness, and sense of safety.
I also bring a social justice–oriented lens to therapy and strive to practice in ways that are affirming of diverse identities and attentive to culture, systems, and power. I welcome feedback about our work together and believe that your social and cultural experiences are meaningful parts of understanding you as a whole person.
My Approach
My work is trauma-informed, person-centered, relational, and non-pathologizing. I draw from a range of approaches based on each client’s needs, experiences, and goals. My clinical approach includes: Internal Family Systems (IFS) · Attachment-Based Therapy · Emotionally Focused Therapy · Relational Psychodynamic Therapy · Existential-Humanistic Therapy · Somatic and Mind-Body Approaches · Trauma-Informed Therapy · Person-Centered Therapy
Education & Credentials
Registered Professional Counselor Associate, Oregon
Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling – Addictions
Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling
Graduate training included trauma, addiction, family and relational systems, social justice, counseling theory, and clinical practice.
Interested in Working With Elyse?
Submit a prospective patient inquiry and let us know that you're interested in working with Elyse. We'll review your needs, preferences, insurance, scheduling availability, and current provider openings to determine whether Elyse may be a good fit.