Thomas Pankau, PHD, Psychologist in Portland, Oregon

Thomas Pankau helps adults and older adolescents in Oregon navigate life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and purpose. He offers a thoughtful, evidence-based approach for individuals seeking support with anxiety, depression, grief, or post-traumatic stress. Through both individual and group therapy, Thomas creates a space where clients feel seen and supported as they work toward meaningful and lasting change. With a clinical focus on anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma, Thomas integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques. He collaborates closely with clients to help them identify unhelpful patterns, build coping tools, and reconnect with their core values. His calm, grounded presence helps clients feel safe exploring difficult thoughts and emotions while working at a pace that supports sustainable progress. Thomas is particularly passionate about helping individuals recover from trauma, including those with PTSD or histories of chronic stress. His work is trauma-informed and designed to promote nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and personal empowerment. Whether someone is healing from a single event or years of cumulative experiences, Thomas offers guidance rooted in compassion, clinical knowledge, and trust in each person’s capacity for growth. He also has experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders, military and veteran populations, and those within the LGBTQ+ community. In every therapeutic relationship, he aims to foster inclusivity, authenticity, and a deep sense of human connection. Additional areas of support include men’s issues and navigating complex grief. Outside of his clinical work, Thomas enjoys traveling, playing guitar, reading about American history, and spending time with his dogs. These personal passions reflect his belief in balance and the importance of maintaining joy and curiosity in life.