Team - Counseling on Burnside

Joe Alexander

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Smith College in Massachusetts and have been a therapist for more than 30 years. I specialize in individual counseling for depression and anxiety as well as family and couples therapy. My specialty areas are addictions of all types (chemical, pornography, overeating and gambling) as well as dynamic work with couples. I have also been a therapist with Kaiser-Permanente’s outpatient alcohol and drug program. I have led many addictions and codependency groups for Kaiser and have also done groups for the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program.

In 2007 my wife, Dr. Gail Karvonen, and I moved our offices to focus on a mind-body approach to healing. This approach includes counseling as well as chiropractic and many forms of massage. My focus on mindfulness, which promotes relaxation and diminishes anxiety, arises directly out of my 30 years of yoga and meditation practice as well as my extensive training in Gestalt Therapy.

Email: joe@counselingonburnside.com

Ruth Berger

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have been a practicing clinical social work for the past 20 years and received my Master’s Degree from Fordham University in New York City. I then received advanced psychodynamic training from the 5th Ave. Center for Psychotherapy, also in NYC. I have done advanced trainings in a variety of treatment and practice settings.

I work with individuals, couples and young adults with issues around depression, anxiety, relationships, life transitions and self esteem. I use techniques from psychodynamic, relational and cognitive behavioral models, being flexible in technique by listening to the thoughts and needs of the client.

I believe that an individual’s or couple’s unconscious dynamics can keep them from making the positive changes they wish to make in their lives. Together we can uncover the issues that are holding you back from your goals, and allow you to find ways to feel more successful in your work, relationships and life.

Email: ruth@counselingonburnside.com

Angie Johnson

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I graduated from the University of Utah with a Master’s degree in social work and am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I have experience working with children and adolescents, as well as adults and families, focusing on issues including depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma and attachment. I use trauma informed models in my practice and have extensive experience in crisis intervention. I am skilled at working with all types of children and families and ensure that all are informed as we work together as a team throughout the counseling process. Therapy models I utilize include play therapy, SPARCS, CBT, and Trauma Focused CBT. In my spare time I love reading, traveling and spending time with my family.

Email: angie@counselingonburnside.com

Jennifer Warren

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have nearly 20 years of experience providing individual, couple, family, and group counseling. I am skilled in creating new ways of engaging with clients to help them recognize and change existing behavior patterns that are no longer productive. I use my natural intuition and compassion to offer non-judgmental emotional comfort and support. My experience as a former self-defense instructor, group therapist in violence prevention/recovery, and as a crisis intervention worker allow me to meet clients where they are in their journey to personal change and contentment.

I have experience in helping people with Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Distress, Domestic Violence, LGBTQIA, Divorce, Infertility, Chronic Illness/pain, Sexual Abuse/Assault, Workplace Conflict, End of Life, Pornography Addiction, and Anger Management. I also have experience in Polyamorous partner and family counseling. I received my Masters of Social Welfare degree from Portland State University in 2000, and I graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Psychology with Honors in 1990. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has lived in Portland, Oregon since 1997.

Email: jen@counselingonburnside.com

Claudia James

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have 35 years of counseling experience & received my MSW degree from Smith College School for Social Work. My areas of specialization include: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem, spirituality, career and life transitions, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Other areas of expertise include: PTSD and trauma recovery, attachment disorders, bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, addictions, chronic illness, caregiving, and end of life. My practice interests also encompass women’s issues, sexuality, non-binary gender identification, and issues of race, ethnicity, and oppression. I work with individuals (adults), couples, and families.

My professional life began in multi-cultural education working with, and learning from, international students and faculty, then immigrants and refugees. Since my comprehensive anti-racism training at Smith, I enjoy and benefit from continuing education in diversity, equity, and inclusion.My practice is grounded in a strength-based person-centered approach. Together, we co-create a safe respectful partnership, which encourages you to explore and release what no longer serves you, making space for your innate capacities to unfold. “Take the pearl and leave the shell behind”, counsels the poet Rumi.

Email: claudia@counselingonburnside.com

Franny Thompson

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have almost twenty years of experience working as a mental health provider and group facilitator and have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Portland State University. In my work, I use a collaborative and strengths based approach recognizing that each client already possesses many of the tools and skills that they will need to achieve their therapeutic goals. My areas of specialization include: anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, gender issues, and parenting concerns. I have extensive experience working with individuals with anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I work with older teens and adults and draw from an array of therapeutic models including CBT and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Throughout my graduate work, I focused on learning how a person’s mental health and overall well being is affected by culture and issues of inequality. I am committed to practicing culturally sensitive and trauma informed therapy and strive to create a therapeutic environment that feels inviting and trustworthy. When I am not at work, I create balance in my life by being present in nature, seeking out art, taking photos, and spending time with my family.

Email: Franny@counselingonburnside.com