
Kayla Bassen
LPC, LMHC
Licensed Professional Counselor in OR, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in WA
Hi, my name is Kayla. It’s nice to meet you! My pronouns are She/Her.

I understand the importance of having someone in your life that delights in you for who you are, as you are. That foundation of acceptance creates room for curiosity about the changes we want to see in ourselves and the courage to turn toward pain that we so often neglect or fear to embrace. I view therapy as a collaborative relationship in which the client and the therapist tailor their work together to meet the client’s specific needs. I approach therapy with curiosity, humor, compassion, and occasional irreverence when useful. From the first moment I meet with a client, I strive to provide an affirming and safe space where they feel seen, heard, and respected.
I use trauma-informed, relational, attachment-oriented approaches such as Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) and Attachment-based therapy to help people gain insight into their own internal worlds, approach relationships with curiosity and flexibility, improve emotional regulation, disrupt and change harmful or problematic patterns, and develop a grounded sense of self. I focus on helping people move through pain, trauma, and grief in a meaningful way, changing patterns of self-neglect and abandonment that may have become the norm to survive difficult circumstances. Additionally, I use existential therapy to help people become more present in their daily lives, broaden their sense of self and the ways they participate in life, increase a sense of empowerment, and confront and cope with the challenges that come with living.
My heart and purpose in life are based in cultivating loving, kind, and generous relationships, both personally and professionally. Outside of the therapy office you will find me paddleboarding and spending time outside with friends, reading high fantasy book series (The Wheel of Time is my favorite!), goofing off with my husband, and making art.
2014: BBS in Psychology, minor in Sociology: Hardin-Simmons University
2018: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: George Fox University
I specialize in working with adult individuals (18+) who may be experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, life transitions, relational trauma, current or historical emotional abuse and neglect, interpersonal difficulties, shame and guilt, and grief and loss. I work with people from diverse backgrounds, including those who identify as BIPOC and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I am especially committed to approaching therapy from the perspective of anti-oppression, inclusivity, and cultural humility with the understanding that our lives and experiences are multi-faceted.
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor, OR
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, WA
