What You Probably Want To Know Most Is...
Can I help you? Do I know what I’m doing? Do I truly care? The answer is yes. I love working with couples! I’ve spent years working with couples who were just as overwhelmed, heartbroken, or disconnected as you might be right now. I use a proven, structured approach that helps people move from worrying about the future of their relationship to a true connection.
I’m deeply inspired by the courage it takes couples to show up, open up to each other, and try again.
Dr. Paige Thompson, EFT Couples Therapist
Why Couples Work With Me
I work best with couples who are tired of feeling stuck and ready to do something different. You don’t want quick fixes. You want real change.
I’m not the kind of therapist who’s going to hand you a worksheet or a list of “five tips to communicate better.” Not because those things are bad, but because they don’t get to the heart of what’s going on. What I offer is Emotionally Focused Therapy, which is a research-based method that helps you experience change from the inside out.
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I see couples who regularly argue about small stuff like leaving lights on, forgetting to RSVP to the event, planning a date night without being asked to, distracted scrolling, and never-ending household chores.
Beneath these everyday frustrations are deeper feelings of being unseen, unappreciated, unloved, or undesired. Most of the time, it’s not about who’s right or wrong. It’s about understanding the meaning behind the conflict. My job is to help you both slow down, open up, soften, and communicate what’s really driving the pain so you can reconnect, communicate clearly, and feel like true teammates again.
I Can Help With:
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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
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Marriage Counseling
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Addiction & Substance Use
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Trauma & PTSD
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Infidelity & Affairs
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Parenting
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Grief & Loss
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Premarital Counseling
A Bit More About Me
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I earned my Master’s degree and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego.
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During my postdoctoral training, I provided outpatient therapy to active duty military, veterans, and military couples who had experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, prolonged separation, and affairs.
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I completed an APA-accredited internship at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler where I worked with substance use disorders, trauma, behavioral health consultation, and child/family therapy.
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​I trained at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, supporting individuals and families facing cancer diagnosis, grief, loss, and meaning-centered living.
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I have completed extensive training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, including externship, core skills, and ongoing supervision toward certification.
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I serve as the President of the Portland Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, supporting the growth of high-quality couples counseling in our community.
Couples who work with me often feel more seen, understood, and fight less.
Real Change Starts Here
Many couples come to couples therapy for the first time, whether to address new concerns or long-standing problems. After the initial phone call and first session, couples often feel relieved knowing their partner is committed, reassured, and hopeful about rebuilding the relationship. They also often find relief in finally sharing the feelings they’ve carried for so long.
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You have to experience what it’s like to feel safe, seen, and soothed by your partner. To feel like the most important person in the room and to be deeply wanted. That’s where transformation happens.
What Couples Say After Working Together
Couples often tell me they wish they had started marriage counseling or couples therapy sooner. They feel more seen, more understood, and less afraid to be honest with one another. They fight less, can resolve an argument more quickly, connect more, and begin to rebuild the kind of relationship that feels supportive, resilient, and reminiscent of the early days of their relationship.​