Hi, my name is Stefanie Cruz. I’m a private practice Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Portland, Oregon. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Portland State University.
I was born to Salvadoran parents and raised in Southern Oregon. After graduating high school, I pursued my higher education in Portland, Oregon. My unique upbringing as a first generation/Latinx/cis female/Oregonian provided me insight into the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) experience in the Pacific Northwest. My own lived experience, paired with my education, inspired me to pursue the mental health field to contribute to representation in our local area.
Experience
I’ve been practicing therapy for about 6 years and have worked in school settings, community mental health, and private practice. I have worked with an array of client populations including kids, teens, adults, couples, and family/relational. I’ve also worked with a variety of different issues including: anxiety, depression, trauma (e.g. PTSD), adjustment issues, relationship issues, self-esteem, major life transitions, identity exploration, cultural/systemic oppression, family conflict, immigration/acculturation, loss, etc.
Approach
My approach with clients is a collaborative one. I believe you are the expert on you. Our work together builds a safe space for vulnerability and for you to tell your story in your own words. I step into your world with curiosity, gaining insight and offering reflections and observations. I practice therapy from a systemic perspective. I seek to understand you at an individual level and your lived experience in the social world that creates your unique intersectional identity.
I tailor therapy to meet the needs of every client. I don’t endorse a “one size fits all” model. I pull from a variety of methods/theories/interventions including: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, narrative, humanistic, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, just to name a few. See modalities for more information.
I find everyone’s story fascinating and enjoy exploring “why are we the way we are”. I chose to be a therapist for many reasons, however, what I can narrow down is that I have a genuine passion for helping folks reach their full potential and living life with purpose, meaning and hope. Seeing growth in clients and being able to reflect that back is truly the gift.
License & Credentials
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy (LMFT)
State of Oregon
License #T1819
Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Education
University of San Francisco ‘16
M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Marriage & Family Therapy Emphasis
Portland State University ‘09
B.A. in Sociology