They/Them/Their
Linda Schartman’s philosophy is that the person is not the problem (the problem is the problem). She is part of the LGBTQIA+ communities and is neurodiverse. Though she enjoy working with all people, her client demographics tend to be people assigned female at birth, transgender folks, creatives (whether by profession or interests), BIPOC individuals, and those obsessed with animals, nature, and spirituality. Most importantly, she starts where you are: your values, your culture, and your goals.
Therapist Overview
Hello! I’m Linda (she/they), a Licensed Professional Counselor with fourteen years of experience in the mental health arena. With two master’s degrees (the first in sociology and the second in clinical mental health counseling), specialized training in neurodiversity, and lived experience in my areas of specialty, I focus on helping individuals affected by neurodiversity and 2SLGBTQIA+ concerns.
My Expertise Includes:
* Neurodiversity: All services are informed by a radical acceptance that we all have different and equally valid ways of interpreting information and diverse relational styles. I am trained at the master’s level to assess for autism and ADHD. I tailor my approach to your learning style and preferences, finding strategies that work for you. I embrace differences and honor diversity on all levels.
* Life Navigation: Whether your challenges are career-related, relational, or just getting through each day—or a combination of these challenges and more—I’m here to help you navigate life more effectively.
* Transitions: With WPATH training, I offer sensitive and informed support through gender transitions. More generally, I work with you to help your expression align with your true sense of yourself.
* Post-Traumatic Stress: Helping you manage and work through your trauma and adversities, including addressing microaggressions and discrimination/bias.
* Disclosures: Assisting with the complexities of disclosing sensitive information about your disability status, gender, sexual orientation, etc., or opening up to and connecting with supports that may be available in the community
My Approach Includes:
* Writing, Art, Sensory Integration, Somatic Awareness and Movement: We’ll explore all the tools and use them to address difficult topics and big feelings.
* Relaxation & Humor: Techniques to relax and incorporate humor as a therapeutic tool.
* Venting & Structured Activity: A safe space for expression and structured guidance.
* Psychoeducation: Informative support and feedback to understand yourself and your experiences better.
* Visual & Experiential Explorations: Creative and engaging methods to facilitate growth.
* Narrative Therapy: To deconstruct systems of being that do not serve you or your values and goals.
* Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy: To help you be most effective in everything you want to do.
Getting Started:
Please use the link to my portal provided below. During this initial contact, it would be extremely helpful if you could tell me your insurance coverage or, if you choose not to use insurance, your fee requirements. This will allow me to confirm that your sessions will be covered and address any financial considerations upfront. Note that due to OHP weirdness, it is necessary to say which brand of OHP you have: most folks are assigned to a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) and, of those, I participate in Trillium, Advanced Health, Yamhill Community Care, OpenCard (regular Medicaid) and CareOregon.