“ The trick about nowness is that you can let go
and open up again and again to that space. 
You can do that at any moment, always. 
But it does take making friends with yourself.”
 

-Pema Chodron The Wisdom of No Escape

 



About Heather
 

My name is Heather Baucum.  I use she/her or they/them pronouns.   The therapy I offer focuses on making gentle contact with powerful thoughts, emotions, or memories that consciously or unconsciously knock us on our ass.  Even the way we talk to ourselves can perpetuate struggle and hurt. These patterns of behavior often keep us from living a life we value.  Much of the work we will do together in therapy involves exploring the wisdom and neurosis inherent in all of our actions.  That is, recognizing the patterns of behavior that our past Wise Selves created to keep us safe, but no longer serve us (and may even make our lives harder).  We will work to offer care and compassion to the self who has been harmed, strengthen a kinder relationship with this self, and develop insight into why we do the things we do. With this knowledge, we will explore new ways of staying connected and engaged in the here and now (instead of being controlled by memories of the past or fear about the future), all the while actively building a life filled with value and purpose. 

As a therapist, I see my work as holding space and witnessing without judgment.  I find immense power in getting curious and broadening perspectives.  All of my work is infused with Compassion (karuna) and Loving Kindness (metta).

Modalities I pull from in my treatment include: Brainspotting, Trauma Informed Care, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-focused Therapy, Poly-vagal theory, Attachment, Social Justice, Motivational Interviewing, Feminism, Anti-Racism, mindfulness/meditation, and my own Buddhist practice.

I have over 15 years of experience working with those on the fringe of society who have experienced significant trauma and oppression.  In 2010, I obtained my Master of Social Work (MSW) with a certificate in Interpersonal Trauma from the University of Denver.  I have been licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers since 2016.

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When not providing therapy, I enjoy singing karaoke, dancing, practicing to be a fashionista, and petting all the cats.  I love a shameless fart joke.

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Areas I like to work in include:
 

• Trauma

• Relationships/boundary setting

• Self-esteem

• Anxiety

• Abuse

• Stress Management

• Depression

• Loss and Grief

• Self-Compassion

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