3/11/05
Portland Christian Counseling
Robert O. Piehl, Ph.D.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #T0420
0112 SW Hamilton St. #A-2
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 750-1701
Website: PortlandChristianCounseling.net
Philosophy and Approach: I assist people struggling with painful emotional experiences such as depression and anxiety or who have suffered traumatic experiences whether previously as a child or currently as an adult. I also work with couples to improve their communication skills and create more secure attachments. I hold the goal of facilitating emotional healing and growth in all persons with whom I work. My practice serves teens, adult individuals, couples, and families experiencing relational distress. I accomplish healing and growth by working with patients to help them gain an increased understanding of those unspoken "convictions" or "organizing principles" that shape and guide their experiences in life. I believe once patients become aware of these organizing principles they attain a new perspective on themselves and become empowered to make better choices about their life and relationships. My approach centers on emotional experience and helps patients to be free from unhealthy repetitive patterns in order to live more fulfilling lives within loving relationships. I also include processing of spiritual experiences if a patient so desires, but I never introduce or force spirituality of any kind into the therapy process. My major goal is always to deliver excellent clinical services - to help persons heal and achieve their chosen goals - yet I do have ten years experience working within a Christian counseling framework. I do not believe that prayer or faith by themselves always facilitate emotional or psychological healing; good sound psychotherapy often is the answer to prayer.
Formal Education and Training: I hold a Ph.D. in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology. Major course-work included: Christian counseling, individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, emotionally-focused marital therapy, systems-based family therapy, crisis intervention, men's issues, and integration of spiritual issues with psychotherapy. I have a decade of clinical experience and 7 years training with top relational psychoanalysts from a perspective called "Intersubjective Systems Theory." This training allows me to work well with persons who have suffered acute or developmental trauma, struggle emotionally, have troubled relationships, or struggle with spiritual issues. Additionally, I also hold Masters degrees in Philosophy and Theology. I am Adjunct Faculty at the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles, CA. I have taught Master's level counseling courses as a variety of institutions.
As a licensee of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, I will abide by its Code of Ethics. To maintain my license I am required to participate in annual continuing education, taking classes dealing with subjects relevant to this profession. I may substitute professional supervision for part of this requirement.
Fees: My full fee is $125 per therapy hour (50 minutes). I offer a sliding scale downward to $75 per therapy hour based on financial need. This need must be demonstrated by reporting accurate income figures and lacking additional resources such as savings account or other financial investments.
I offer group therapy at $40 per 1 ½ hours. Length of groups is ten weeks. Enrollment is limited to 5 persons.
As a client of an Oregon licensee you have the following rights:
- To expect that a licensee has met the minimal qualifications of training and experience required by state law;
- To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee;
- To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics;
- To report complaints to the Board;
- To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services;
- To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule and law, including the following exceptions: 1) Reporting suspected child abuse; 2) Reporting imminent danger to client or others; 3) Reporting information required in court proceedings or by client's insurance company, or other relevant agencies; 4) Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision; and 5) Defending claims brought by client against licensee;
- To be free from being the object of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category while receiving services.
You may contact the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists at 3218 Pringle Rd SE, Suite 250, Salem, OR 97302-6312. Telephone: (503) 378-5499.
