Therapist in Vancouver, Washington Alissa Bagan, Therapist

I strive to cultivate a way of being that might allow for a felt sense of safety and trust to develop between my clients and I. It is not small thing to venture into our internal worlds with one another and an honor I am able to join with the brave clients who invite me. The therapeutic process can take many forms depending on what brings you and what you hope to accomplish together but in general, I come from an approach that centers on the relationship and trust being our foundation and the rest we build from there so to speak. My background includes expertise in Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory and Systems Theory although I also draw from other evidence-based approaches including Psychodynamic, ACT and Mindfulness. Overall, my conviction, having been in practice for 15 years is that there is always a reason we do the things that we do, even when those things are also getting in our way and that understanding how the mind and brain adapts to unfavorable (and favorable) environmental conditions frees us from the tendency to judge ourselves when we don’t understand and maybe even crack the window for greater compassion and change to take form. I received a BS in psychology from San Diego State University and an MS at Seattle Pacific University in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also hold a specialization in Medical Family Therapy, now termed Health Psychology and advanced specialty in Interpersonal Neurobiology applied to attachment and trauma. I’ve worked in community mental health as a graduate intern as well as several medical settings including Harborview Hospital in Seattle, Northwest Primary Care and South Tabor Family Physicians as a behavioral health consultant. Currently, I’m on the faculty at Portland Community College as a professor teaching The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Attachment and Trauma and have also taught in years past at Portland State University and Seattle Pacific University. I enjoy the combination of clinical work and teaching as well as other interests including improv, animals, swimming and movies.