NOTE the Common Questions page includes videos and illustrations offering information on the various aspects and approaches of our work.
Beginners Guide to Polyvagal Theory
by Deb Dana, LCSW is an easy to read, 8 page introduction. Basic information on the nervous system.
Mental Health Resources (Including Crisis Support)
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN PORTLAND/SW Washington Metropolitan Area
CRISIS LINES
- Multnomah Co. 503-823-4000
- Washington Co. 503-291-9111
- Clackamas Co. 503-655-8585
- Southwest Washington Crisis Line: (800) 626-8137
- Child Abuse (Multnomah County) – (503) 731-3100
- Domestic Violence – Portland Women’s Crisis Line – (503) 235-5333
- Suicide Lifeline: Call 800-273-8255 | Text 273TALK to 839863
- Alcohol & Drug Helpline: Call 800-923-4357 | Text RecoveryNow to 839863
- Military Helpline: Call 888-457-4838 | Text MIL1 to 839863
- YouthLine: Call 877-968-8491 |Text teen2teen to 839863 |Chat at www.oregonyouthline.org
211 Info website link — lots of resources for all kinds of need in the Portland Metro area
DIAL 211 toll free | TEXT your zip code to 898211| EMAIL help@211info.org
School based health clinics — Free to all school age children regardless of enrollment
Community Mental Health Agencies (OHP members — HealthShare)
Lifeworks NW
Cascadia Behavioral Health
Morrison Child and Family
Trillium Family Center
Grief and Loss support for children, teens, young adults and families
Dougy Center
Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center
Manifest (Men’s Wellness Community)
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Low income services
Sliding scale and affordable therapy for $50 or less
Gambling Addiction Counseling
William Temple House
OpenCounseling — link to a national referral site for, non profit, affordable counseling options. These are the Portland area options.
LOCAL HEALTHCARE DIRECTORIES
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (Adults with ADHD)
CHADD (Children and Adults with ADD)
The American Professional Society of ADHD and related disorders
Sleep Disorders including Insomnia
Sleep Disorders including Insomnia
Experiential & Adventure Therapy
Experiential & Adventure Based Therapy
Professional Associations
The Association for Experiential Education — Program Accreditation
Adventure Therapy Best Practices (Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group)
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council
Association for Challenge Course Technology — facilitator and course accreditation
Research
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center (University Of New Hampshire)
Books
Power of One, D. Maurie Lung, Gary Stauffer, Tony Alvarez published 2008
Power of Family, D. Maurie Lung, Gary Stauffer, Tony Alvarez, John Conway published 2015
Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. Michael Gass, H.L Gillis, Keith Russell published 2012
Exploring Islands of Healing: New Perspectives on Adventure Based Counseling. Jim Schoel, Richard S. Maizell. published 2002
Silver Bullets: A Guide to Initiative Problems, Adventure Games and Trust Activities. Karl Rohnke, published 1984
50 ways to use your noodle. Chris Cavert, Sam Sikes, published 1997
The Book on Raccoon Circles. Jim Cain, Tom Smith published 2002
No Props: Great Games with No Equipment. Mark Collard published 2005
Raptor: And other team building activities. Sam Sikes published 2003
The New Games Book: Play Hard, Play Fair, Nobody Hurt published 1976
More New Games: and playful ideas from the New Games Foundation published 1981
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (Wilderness Therapy)
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
Resources for parents and clinicians
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council — the starting point for information on accredited programs and research supporting best practice in the healing journey for teens, young adults and families.
Association for Experiential Education The leading association of professionals in adventure based therapy, experiential education and programs.
Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation
Providing financial assistance to families with loved ones participating in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare programs (Wilderness Therapy).
Wild Hearts — PBJF coordinated monthly outdoor activities for returning OBH alums in the Portland metro area.
PBJF Partner Programs
- New Vision Wilderness
- SUWS Carolinas
- Evoke Therapy Programs
- Legacy Outdoor Adventures
- Summit Achievment
- Red Cliff Ascent
- Anasazi Foundation
- Outback Therapeutic Expeditions
National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP)
Association of Challenge Course Technology
Independent Educational Consultants Association IECA
A Circle of Hope — Educational Consultants
Sky’s the Limit Fund — financial aid for families.
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory
Traumatic Stress Research Consortium, at the Kinsey Institute.
Directed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is looking for clinicians using polyvagal theory approaches in their work to participate.
Research Article: The Application of Polyvagal Theory to High Conflict Coparenting Cases
Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) by
The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) by
Deb Dana’s media page. Has good podcast interviews. My favorite is the next to last one on page with Linda Graham.
Here’s a fairly entertaining ted talk style video. The speaker is no relation to Dr. Porges. He discusses Polyvagal theory in a broad way rather than focusing on trauma specifically.
Recovery Support
211 Info website link — lots of resources for all kinds of need in the Portland Metro area
DIAL 211 toll free | TEXT your zip code to 898211| EMAIL help@211info.org
Harmony Academy — charter high school in Lake Oswego school district. No district limits on registration to attend. Site of Christie School/Youth Villages 2507 Christie Dr. • Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Family Inspired Recovery — alternative peer group for teens and families. Programming 5 days a week — afternoons/evenings/weekends. This is not primary treatment but provides supervised peer activities and multifamily groups up to 21 hours a week. West Linn, OR. Open to Portland Metro area.
Oregon Recovery High School Initiative
Generation Found — film documenting Recovery High School and Alternative Peer Group support in Houston, Texas
Community Living Above — based in West Linn, OR. Prevention and support for youth and adults.
Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation — Wild Hearts Program. For Outdoor Behavioral Health program (Wilderness Therapy) Alumni. Monthly outdoor activities.
Recovering My Kid: Parenting Young Adults in Treatment and Beyond – (2012) by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Youth Medical Director
Parent support
GS Testing LLC — local to Portland Metro area. To move beyond the over the counter kits.
CRAFT — Community Reinforcement and Family Training
SMART Recovery Family and Friends — Self Management and Recovery Training
Cordelia Kraus is local provider and expert. Her site linked provides resource information on local groups and the model.
The site below has additional links.
Dominque Simone-Levin is an author and trainer running a site and program called Allies in Recovery built on the CRAFT model.
Refuge Recovery PDX — Buddhist inspired mindfulness based recovery support
Recovery Dharma PDX — Find on Facebook. A reformation of the Refuge Recovery group.
Portland Area 12 step programs/groups
Alano Club of Portland — considered one of the best AA based support programs in the US
4th Dimension Recovery Center — support for Portland Area Young Adults
Partners of Sex-Addicts Anonymous
Addiction Resource Hub — comprehensive listing of variety of resources local and throughout US.
The Anonymous People — film reviews history and current efforts in the recovery movement
Association of Recovery in Higher Education
Southern Oregon University
College Excel is a comprehensive, residential, coaching-based college support program — Central Oregon Community College or Oregon State University-Cascades
Continuing Care: A Parent’s Guide to Your Teen’s Recovery From Substance Abuse
Affordable Colleges Online has a vast array of resources for families. There is no advertising. Animal Therapy on Campuses is one article and offers links to programs at many colleges and universities.
Substance Use Disorder and Compulsive Behaviors
“Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.”
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction — by
Pleasure Unwoven: 2009 (Institute for Addiction Study) The most important question about addiction is: “Is it really a “disease?” In this video essay, filmed in high-definition, Kevin McCauley explores the arguments for and against this vital debate, reviewing the latest neuroscientific research about addiction along the way. Using the spectacular landscape of Utah’s State and National Parks to describe the brain areas involved in addiction.
Trauma Informed Care/ACE’s
Trauma
SAMHSA Trauma Informed Care Guidelines
Oregon ACEs Building Resliency
Oregon ACE’s Data through 2016
Adverse Childhood Experiences SAMHSA link.
Adverse Childhood Experiences CDC link.
The spring 2018 Oprah 60 minutes presentation on childhood trauma
The Heart of Trauma: Healing the Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) by Bonnie Badenoch published 2017
Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Working with Traumatic Memory — by published 2015
The Body Keeps The Score: the Brain, Body and Mind in the healing of trauma — by Bessel van der Kolk published 2015
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction — by
Mindfulness | Self Compassion | Gratitude
Mindfulness
Mindful.org — magazine, great site, blogs and information
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- Center for Mindfulness — UMass Medical School
- Awake to the Heart Jillayne Sorenson — Portland
- DAYA Foundation — Portland
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Second Edition by
Other mindfulness programs
Peace In Schools — Portland OR
Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by
Self Compassion
The Center for Mindful Self Compassion
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff, PhD published 2011
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive – by
The Self Compassion workbook for teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace Who You Are: by Karen Bluth, PhD. published 2017
Gratitude
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – by published 2010
Parenting & Co-Parenting
Parenting & Co-Parenting
The Yes Brain: How to cultivate courage, curiosity, and resilience in your child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson published 2018
Collaborative Problem Solving
Collaborative Problem Solving
OHSU Dept of Psychiatry Collaborative Problem Solving Project
Changeable: How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work by
Dr. Bruce Perry was one of the folks interview in Oprah’s Trauma segment on 60 minutes in Spring of 2018. He collaborates with the CPS program. The Child Trauma Academy provides support for his work.
Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. is Dr. Bruce Perry’s model.
Dr. Ross Greene co-developed CPS and now has a separate program Lives in The Balance.
Portland Trainers in CPS
Ted Layman at Restore Therapy
Current Oregon Parent Training Groups (including online)
Thinkkids Website: Scroll down to Oregon listings.
HeartMath Biofeedback Tools
We use a handheld HeartMath device, the emWave2, to support the grounding and breathing techniques used to increase a felt sense of safety.
The technology tracks and and displays our heart rhythm patterns, measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which indicates how emotional states are affecting our nervous system.
Polyvagal Theory had it’s origins in research measuring HRV in animals and humans.
HeartMath Institute Research Director discusses why heart coherence is essential in stress management and sustainable behavior change.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Here’s a link to a good overview of how to select a EAP program or practitioner from Equusoma
How Smart Are Horses?
Posted by Hashem Al-Ghaili on Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The video above refers to a few recent studies, including:
- Leanne Proops et al, Animals Remember Previous Facial Expressions that Specific Humans Have Exhibited, Current Biology (2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.03.035
- Kosuke Nakamura et al, Cross-modal perception of human emotion in domestic horses (Equus caballus), Scientific Reports (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26892-6
Leif Hallberg has published a comprehensive literature review as part of the background for her book published in 2018, The Clinical Practice of Equine-Assisted Therapy. The review covers published research through 2016.
Professional Associations
Natural Lifemanship Institute Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (undergoing changes in structure and trainers, check for updates)
“Evidence Based Practice” and where’s the research to prove it’s effective?
Some primary care providers or prescribers believe “hanging out with animals is a waste of time and money” and “you’re paying to stand around and pet or groom horses”. You can and should be well informed. I’ll be happy to “discuss” this with any and all health professionals if it’s a problem for you or your family.
Visit our Resources page for links to research on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy…. “Evidence”
Evidence based practice can mean a variety of things including that the exact model, being followed to the manualized specifics of the approach researched, and that that precisely followed model has made a list of approved practices at the national level and in some states.
Dogs and cats are awesome and comforting companions but they are predators. Horses are prey animals and have a much different response to the environment.
- Here’s the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Evidence Based Practices Web Guide Page with links to a bunch of sites that host lists.
- Many approaches used by traditional therapists note they are in some part of the process to be approved and included on that list, call themselves “evidence based” but are not on “the list”.
- Medication for teens has rarely been tested on teens to approve it’s use. Many medications that are used for adults for mental health issues were approved by the FDA for one use for physical symptoms and are now more commonly used for behavioral health issues
- Having research demonstrating that there is benefit to participants is the definition many approaches use to call themselves “evidence based”
- The only commonly agreed on and constantly evidence based practice is the quality of the relationship of the client and the therapist. That’s it. Does the client feel SAFE and if they do CONNECTION is the source of healing, not the specific modality though certainly some allow. Skills acquisition to help us stay feeling safe is important and some therapeutic approaches provide that very well.
- We use Outcome measures every time we meet to assess progress and connection with us objectively.
- The Veterans Administration provides grant funding for equine therapy programs. That is not the same thing as research evidence but anecdotal support for validating the work.
There are some folks I respect for their work, in other parts of the metro area, if location, scheduling or therapist preference comes up for you.
Forward Stride — Hillsboro — Contact Lisa Harman, program coordinator
Cherish Counseling — Gresham
Disclaimer: These links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not necessarily constitute an endorsement or an approval by LifeSTREAM Therapy LLC of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. LifeSTREAM Therapy LLC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
