Therapist Paxton Wilkinson, Helping Teens & Young Adults in Milwaukie, OR

Paxton Wilkinson helps teens and adults move from overwhelm to empowerment through warm, trauma-informed care—offered in person in Milwaukie and across Oregon via telehealth.

What Inspired Paxton to Become a Trauma-Informed Therapist

For Paxton Wilkinson (she/her), becoming a therapist wasn’t a coincidence—it was a calling shaped by both family and personal experience.

“I was around a lot of people in my family who were in therapy positions and education,” she says. “My grandpa was a school psychologist, and I learned so much from him. I’ve always been inspired to learn more about the mind. It’s just so fascinating.”

Her own healing journey deepened that calling. “Some unfortunate circumstances led through some of my own traumas,” she explains. “Although those were really awful experiences, it still pushed me toward wanting to help other people heal their traumas and go through their own healing and growth journey.”

That mix of legacy and lived experience now shapes her compassionate, grounded, and client-centered approach.

Trauma-Informed Therapy That Lets You Heal at Your Own Pace

Wilkinson describes her therapy style as trauma-informed and client-led. “Going through trauma and having to talk about it is really, really hard,” she says. “We go at your pace. You’re in complete control—it’s your session, your time, your healing, your life.”

She works with clients of all ages but feels especially connected to older teens and young adults. “I really love working with teens,” she says. “Some people are like, oh, that could be a hard population—and that’s true—but I still wanted to try it. Once I started during my internship, I knew this was what I liked.”

That connection helps her clients feel safe as they explore identity, relationships, and the often complex process of growing up.

Helping Teens in the Portland Metro Area Cope with Stress, Identity, and Change

When asked about what she’s hearing from teens lately, Wilkinson doesn’t hesitate. “There are so many people—almost every person I talk to-who bring up the state of the world,” she says. “It’s just a really heavy time right now, especially in our community in Portland.”

Her clients often talk about the challenges their loved ones face. “A lot of people are worried about their friends that are trans… or worrying about their friends that are Latina, Latino, and potentially getting deported,” she says. “People out here have really big hearts. They care about everybody—a lot.”

That empathy, while beautiful, can be exhausting. Therapy gives them a place to process those feelings, find stability, and remember that it’s okay to care deeply while still caring for themselves.

How Paxton Builds Trust with Teens and Young Adults in Therapy

Wilkinson’s sessions focus on building trust and consistency. “Some kids take a really long time to feel connected with an adult and to feel trusting,” she says. “Maybe we play a game of Uno for the first ten minutes, or do a team-building activity. It’s all part of building connection.”

She stresses that trust takes time. “On average, maybe three or four sessions,” she says. “It takes that consistency to build trust that I’ll be there every time.” That steady presence can be transformative—especially for teens who haven’t always had consistent adults in their lives. “The connection with your therapist alone can be a huge part of how therapy is beneficial,” she says.

Coping Tools and Mindfulness Techniques for Teens in Therapy

Wilkinson teaches simple, practical tools that clients can use between sessions—small steps that lead to big change.

Meditation: “I love meditating,” she says. “It’s so beneficial for anybody. There’s an app I use called Insight Timer—it offers meditations ranging from 3 to 30 minutes. There’s something for everyone.”

She encourages clients to start small: “Most of us can find three minutes,” she says. “At least try one this week—just three minutes to be present with yourself.”

Argue With Your Mind: A favorite from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this exercise helps challenge self-criticism. “Our minds have a mind of their own,” she explains. “Sometimes thoughts pop in—like, ‘This isn’t good enough’—and we just believe them. Instead, take a step back and ask, ‘Do I actually believe that? Is this true?”

She laughs. “We all like to argue sometimes—so do it with yourself. Argue with your mind.”

Healing Trauma Step by Step with Compassionate Support

If there’s a metaphor for Wilkinson’s approach, it might be her paddleboarding trips with her 10-year-old rescue dog. “She used to hate the water,” Paxton says. “It took years of going slow—treats, sitting on the board at home, then at the lake. Eventually, she realized she was safe. Now she just hops right on.”

It’s the same spirit she brings to therapy: small steps, patience, and trust. “Healing doesn’t happen instantly,” she says. “But it does happen—with consistency and compassion.”

Outside the Therapy Room: Finding Calm and Balance

When she’s not with clients, Wilkinson enjoys spending time outdoors, paddleboarding, hiking, and relaxing with her dog. She’s a believer in small daily habits that nurture well-being. “Going outside, even for a minute, can be amazing,” she says. “Take a breath of fresh air, stretch, move your body—whatever feels right. Those small things really do help our mental health.”

Ready to schedule a session with Paxton? She supports clients throughout the Portland metro area, including Milwaukie, Sellwood, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, and communities across Clackamas County. Paxton currently has openings for teens, young adults, and adults through midlife. Fill out the new client form to get started.