Sarah Alexander

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Our Team

BOBBY MESSER, LPC

My education, experience, and training

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2010. I worked as a Youth Counselor in a residential treatment facility before seeking out and completing my Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College in 2016. I have worked in multiple adult outpatient settings in community mental health, providing primarily individual therapy, and supporting folks in managing a wide variety of concerns including trauma, dissociative identity disorder, depression, anxiety, LGBTQ as well as racial and social justice issues, and men’s issues. My focus is on creating a safe and authentic space in which you feel empowered to explore your truth, and learn how to live a life that resonates closely with your beliefs and values.

Bobby’s specialty areas include:

  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Cultural and Systemic Oppression
  • LGBT Issues
  • Men’s Issues
  • Relationship Issues
  • Trauma (including Dissociative Identity Disorder):

Modality:

I work with adults (age 18 and up) in individual therapy.

Tools in Bobby’s therapeutic toolbox:

Bobby is in-network with the following insurance panels:

  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

BOBBY’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 ext. 27

bobby@braveacorn.com

Bridget Redmon, LCSW

MY EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING:

I graduated from Western Oregon University with an undergraduate degree in Interpreting for the Deaf in 2011. During my years as an interpreter I repeatedly saw the impact of oppression on the Deaf community and other marginalized communities. Always having a social justice heart, I decided to pursue my Masters of Social Work. I graduated in 2017 from Portland State University with my MSW. During my schooling I focused on working with children, youth, and families. I have experience working with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, life transition stressors, complex trauma, and addiction. Several theories inform my practice including Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Somatic Psychotherapy. Since graduating with my MSW, I have engaged in advocacy work, community-based interventions, individual and family therapy, home visits, school based therapeutic services, crisis intervention, and I have extensive experience collaborating with other providers to best serve clients. As a therapist I value honesty, transparency, and integrity in my work. I approach clients with a passion for authenticity and connection. I believe it is important to always be learning and I am constantly seeking out new trainings and research.

BRIDGET’S SPECIALTY AREAS INCLUDE:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Gender and Sexual Orientation Issues
  • Life Transitions
  • Stress Management
  • Trauma (but not DID)

MODALITY:

I work with adults (age 18 and up) in individual therapy.

TOOLS IN BRIDGET’S THERAPEUTIC TOOLBOX:

BRIDGET IS IN-NETWORK WITH THE FOLLOWING INSURANCE PANELS:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

BRIDGET’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 x26

bridget@braveacorn.com

Julio Iñiguez, LMFT, CGACII, CADCI

MY EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING:

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Irvine in 2004. I earned my Masters in Marriage Couple and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College in 2014 with a specialization in gambling addiction treatment. I became a certified gambling addictions counselor in 2013 and a certified alcohol and drug counselor in 2016. Since 2013 I have worked in outpatient and residential programs in community mental health settings focusing on supporting individuals, couples, and families in navigating mental health and addiction issues. Prior to joining Brave Acorn I held multiple positions in the field including direct service counseling in agencies, program development and management, as well as clinical supervision of direct counseling staff. I bring a systemic, culturally-informed, and trauma-informed perspective to the services I provide as a therapist. I have completed the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 training and bring knowledge of treating trauma through working with the body to the services I provide. I have presented at National and Regional conferences on working with families in addiction treatment. I am part of the Multicultural Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling Services for Oregon Health Authority and am on the Latino Advisory Board for the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling in Washington State.

JULIO’S SPECIALTY AREAS INCLUDE:

  • Men’s Issues
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Problem Gambling
  • Trauma (but not DID)
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Immigration / Acculturation
  • Compassion Fatigue / Burnout
  • Relationships and Couples Counseling
  • Able to do therapy in Spanish as well as English

MODALITY:

I work with adults (age 18 and up) in individual and couples therapy.

TOOLS IN JULIO’S THERAPEUTIC TOOLBOX:

JULIO IS IN-NETWORK WITH THE FOLLOWING INSURANCE PANELS:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

JULIO’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 x25

julio@braveacorn.com

Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan, LMFT

My education, experience, and training

I received my Bachelors of Arts  in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2011 and began working with individuals in the community as a psychosocial rehab specialist. I graduated with my Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2015. I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Oregon since 2018. Throughout my experience I have provided individual and group therapy in educational and agency settings. My work has largely focused on teens and adults and helping them navigate through various challenges including anxiety, depression, family issues, LGBTQ issues, life stage transitions, and trauma. I am also able to do therapy in Russian and enjoy working with issues around multicultural challenges (first generation, immigration, cultural identity).

Valentina’s specialty areas include:

  • Anxiety & Depression
  • Multicultural Challenges (first generation, immigration, cultural identity)
  • Self-Image
  • Stages of Life Transitions
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Issues
  • Trauma (but not DID)
  • Women’s Issues
  • Able to do therapy in Russian as well as English

Modality:

I work teens and adults (ages 16 and up) in individual counseling. I work with couples that want help navigating changes or differences that don’t involve high interpersonal conflict.

Tools in Valentina’s therapeutic toolbox:

Valentina is in-network with the following insurance panels:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

VALENTINA’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 ext. 22

valentina@braveacorn.com

Melina Larkin, LCSW

MY EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING:

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley in 2005. After interning in a domestic violence shelter and a brief time living in Mexico City I earned my Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington in 2012 with a specialization in Integrated Health and Mental Health Practice. Since 2005 I have worked in shelters, a crisis hotline, the legal system, hospice, residential eating disorder treatment, emergency departments and in inpatient neonatal and pediatric hospital units. Throughout my career I have focused on trauma and supporting survivors of abuse or assault in their healing. Prior to joining Brave Acorn I worked in a partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient eating disorder program providing individual, group, and family therapy. I specialize in how eating disorders and trauma interplay together, and how they can impact issues of identity, relationships, and feeling in control of your own life. My goal is to support you in living a life that is authentic, grounded, and joyful.

MELINA’S SPECIALTY AREAS INCLUDE:

  • Eating disorders and Disordered Eating
  • Trauma (but not DID)
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Body Image Issues
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Issues

MODALITY:

I work with adults (age 18 and up) in individual therapy.

TOOLS IN MELINA’S THERAPEUTIC TOOLBOX:

MELINA IS IN-NETWORK WITH THE FOLLOWING INSURANCE PANELS:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

MELINA’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 ext. 24

melina@braveacorn.com

Kelly Mach, LPC

My education, experience, and training

I received my Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College in 2004 with a major in Secondary Education and English. I returned to Manhattan to complete my graduate coursework in counseling and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York in 2013. Currently, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon. I have worked in several mental health settings, including a day habilitation program for adults with developmental disabilities, a substance abuse treatment clinic, outpatient therapy, and an educational and vocational program for young people with emotional and behavioral challenges. I am a trained facilitator with The Body Positive and a certified yoga instructor with specialization in mindfulness and meditation.

Kelly’s specialty areas include:

  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Body Image Issues and Health at Every Size
  • Women’s Issues (including pregnancy and postpartum issues)
  • Life Transitions
  • Stress Management
  • Trauma (but not DID)

Modality:

I work with teens and adults (ages 14 and up) in individual counseling and group process.

Tools in Kelly’s therapeutic toolbox:

Kelly is in-network with the following insurance panels:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

KELLY’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 ext. 23

kelly@braveacorn.com

Sarah Alexander, LCSW

Sarah’s caseload is currently closed

My education, experience, and training

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in 1995 with a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies. I began practicing full-time as a therapist in 2001.  I received my Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University in 2005 and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Oregon since 2008. I have worked in a community mental health setting for substance abuse, a partial hospitalization intensive day-treatment setting for eating disorders, a university counseling center, and an outpatient trauma treatment center. I have taught graduate counseling students in the Eating Disorder Certificate track at Lewis and Clark College and was president of the board for the Columbia River Eating Disorder Network 2017-2019. I teach The Language of Emotions to local health care professionals and am currently collaborating with Karla McLaren to develop a practitioner track for teaching this material to counseling professionals around the world. I am the owner and founder of Brave Acorn.

Sarah’s specialty areas include:

  • Anxiety & Depression
  • Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating (please read this description of my general approach to these issues)
  • Learning the Language of Emotions
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Trauma (however, I do not work with people who have Dissociative Identity Disorder)

Modality:

I work only with adults (i.e. people who are no longer living with, nor financially dependent upon, their parents) in individual counseling.

Tools in Sarah’s therapeutic toolbox:

Sarah is in-network with the following insurance panels:

  • Aetna
  • Kaiser
  • PacificSource

SARAH’S CONTACT INFO:

503-709-5137 ext. 21

info@braveacorn.com