Grief & Trauma Therapist In PDX
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Grief & Trauma Therapist In PDX ✺
✺ ENNEAGRAM 8 | Collector of Fancy Mugs | matcha lover
Alle Bettale Therapist in PDX
MA, LPC
As a grief and trauma therapist, my approach is grounded in compassion, patience, and a deep respect for each individual’s unique lived experiences. I specialize in helping people navigate the complex and often painful emotions that arise from loss, trauma, and other major life transitions/events. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it’s my belief that healing happens when we allow ourselves to fully acknowledge and process the messy, uncomfortable, and occasionally unbearable parts of our experience. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions at your own pace, with the understanding that healing is not linear and can take time.
My empathy is rooted in my own life experiences, having navigated times of significant loss—both of others and of myself. These periods often leave us feeling stuck and disconnected from ourselves and those around us. However, I hold deep gratitude for each of these moments, as they have encouraged curiosity and prompted reconnection. Through our work together, you’ll gain deeper insight into your emotions, expand your capacity for life, and ultimately, find a path to peace and healing.
✺ Why I became a therapist
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” -Carl Rogers
Before becoming a therapist, I was a client—and I still am to this day. The relationships I built with both my childhood therapist and my current one have been pivotal in shaping my ability to truly love my work. I’m incredibly grateful for those relationships, as they set the tone and the standard for how I approach therapy professionally. Through my own therapeutic journey, I’ve learned that healing comes from connection, safety, trust, compassion, and a nonjudgmental space where you can be your authentic self.
I became a therapist because I want others to experience that same sense of safety—to show up as they are, without fear of judgment. Now, as I sit in the therapist’s chair with you, I’m honored to share space during moments that can feel uncomfortable, messy, or even unbearable. And I get it—all those years of sitting on the couch can be tough. Therapy isn’t always easy or fun, but when it’s rooted in connection, safety, trust, compassion, and a nonjudgmental space where you can truly be your authentic self—that’s where the healing begins.
✺ My approach
You Are The Expert In Your Own Life.
In our work together, I draw from both person-centered and relational therapy perspectives, which complement each other in creating a space where you can feel truly heard, understood, and supported. What is important to remember throughout this process is that it’s not about fixing or forcing yourself to move on. It’s about making space to understand how these two experiences might be impacting you and working with them, rather than against them. Healing comes from learning to sit with both the grief and the trauma, understanding how they show up, and finding ways to navigate them in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you.
One of the most important things I can offer is a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express what you're going through—whether it’s grief, trauma, or both. Sometimes, just having a place where you can feel heard and understood can be incredibly healing. I’ll help you explore the emotions and thoughts that come up, and we can work through them at a pace that feels right for you. There’s no rush or pressure here.
You’re in control of this process. I’ll walk beside you at a pace that feels right for you, whether that means taking small steps or diving deeper into the work when you're ready. There’s no pressure to move faster than you can manage. The healing process is unique to each person, and I’m here to support you, not rush you through it. Ultimately, my goal is to be a guide and a support as you process your grief and trauma. I’m here to listen, to help you make sense of your experience, and to offer the tools and insights that can support you on your path to healing. You don’t have to go through this alone—together, we can navigate it.
Education
✺ WEbster University, Psychology (BA) with an Emphasis in Mental Health
✺ Adams State University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Trainings
✺ EMDR Trained, 2025
Licenses
✺ Licensed professional counselor (Lpc) | OR
