bren boseman
Philosophy and Approach: I firmly believe that we all have the power and tools to heal ourselves within the framework of healthy relationships. It is my duty to provide a safe and confidential environment in which you can be seen, heard, and validated. I work according to Control Mastery theory which proposes that all people are constantly working toward wholeness and most often these attempts are unconscious. It is my job to help you identify and encourage these attempts toward healing. With the use art materials we will work toward a process of expression, organization, and ultimately re-integration of feelings, thoughts, and needs. I will be your ally in the difficult task of finding clarity and relief from emotional confusion and pain.
Art Therapy: “Art therapy is not
art”. Art materials are utilized in
order to process and gain insight into thoughts and feelings. Emphasis
is on the process of interacting with the materials which parallels one’s
interaction with the world. The product of this interaction is confidential.
I can keep the art products in a locked space, you can take them with
you, or I can destroy them. This is up to you.
Sliding Scale Fee Structure: I believe that it is an injustice that therapy is a privilege in our society. It is my goal to make quality art and talk therapy available to folks of all incomes and lifestyles in my community. My fees are on a sliding scale that range between twenty to seventy dollars for individual sessions and ten dollars to thirty dollars for group sessions. (I believe that this system of payment creates a sense of community giving and responsibility for my clients as well. Folks that are able to pay a higher fee are in turn creating an environment in which I can afford to see their fellow community members at a lower rate).
Cancellations: Please call and cancel 24 hours in advance or you may be charged for the session.
Bio: Formal Education, training, and experience: I have a Masters degree in art therapy and counseling from Marylhurst University. I am trained to utilize both art and talk therapy. I have incorporated these techniques to work with adults with a variety of needs, abilities, concerns, and strengths. As an intern I worked with women who were incarcerated at Coffee Creek Women’s Prison to assist them in their process of self discovery and establishment of self esteem. In my final year at Marylhurst,I was an intern counselor at the YWCA Counseling Center where I worked with adults from all walks of life and many arenas of our community. I continued this work at the YWCA as a volunteer until recently. I have worked with folks who have experienced depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, life transitions, histories of abuse, loss and grief, etc. It is important to note that I do not address my clients from an illness model. I do not believe that diagnosis of disorders is always helpful. (For some it may be helpful but each client is consulted on this issue). I have been trained and have experience working with clients from the LGBTQ and BDSM community and feel strongly about the importance of creating a safe and encouraging environment for those who are disempowered in our society.
Licenses: I am currently working toward my certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am a registered intern of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists and abide by its Code of Ethics. I am under the direct supervision of Jan Bridgewater, LCSW
