OUR HEALING COLLECTIVE
JASMIN PORTAZ, PRE-LPC
HI, I'M JASMIN
You may feel like you don’t necessarily “fit-in” to predetermined norms, or that others do not understand you. Maybe you’re not feeling supported, seen or even heard by others. It could leave you feeling alone, frustrated or hurt. Perhaps you’ve been putting others' needs first and allowing no space for your self expression and your self care. This could lead to burnout, frustration or even depression. Whether it’s you as an adult or a child, who is coping with a situation that isn’t working for you, your story matters. You deserve to have someone listen to you, someone to talk to who is not judging you, your feelings or your situation. You can make space and time for yourself.
I know what it’s like to feel misunderstood, unsupported, or different from those around us. As a therapist with over 27 yrs working with poetry, writing, and storytelling, I’ve discovered the power and importance of telling our story in our own voice. I believe we cannot change our past, but we can be the writers of our future. Sometimes others don’t see or wish to acknowledge our story - that does not make it any less relevant, important, or true. I am dedicated to helping people learn to trust themselves, rewrite their story, and begin the healing process.
"I BELIEVE YOUR STORY IS A GIFT"
From a young age, poetry gave me a place to express myself and heal. I’ve found that when words are difficult to find, or too uncomfortable to name, creative expression can support us while offering additional comfort, ease, and even enjoyment. This is an important step toward putting the experience or the person's story back in their own hands to bring self-compassion, and reframe or redefine painful situations. In addition to traditional talk therapy I draw from a variety of holistic approaches including narrative, art, and poetry therapy according to each person's unique needs or experiences. I feel this is an important element in creating a healthy and successful relationship between therapist and client.
I believe that we are not the labels or diagnoses we are given, understanding them can help us heal, but they don’t have to define us. While working with children in various supportive and teaching roles for over 20 years, I’ve learned that labels can be destructive and harmful. There are no “bad” children, only “bad experiences” and poor reactions to them. All of our “inner children” have felt pain, some of us carry it with us throughout our lives, some of us are still in the middle of it, some of us pretend it isn't there but still feel a pain we don’t understand the origin of. I became a therapist to help people realize that the person your inner child needs love from most is you.
I completely understand it may feel daunting, foreign, even terrifying to imagine giving yourself the space and permission to go down this journey - you don’t have to do it alone. I am here to listen and help you learn to express yourself in the way that works best for you. Giving a voice and a space to tell and maybe even rewrite your story can be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Now is the time, this is the space. Let’s talk.
JASMIN PORTAZ, PRE-LPC
PSYCHOTHERAPIST & ART THERAPIST
Tele-Health Appointments
In Person Appointments
Accepting New Clients
SERVICES OFFERED
Writing/Poetry Therapy
QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE YOU CAN COUNT ON
As a trauma informed and art therapist I specialize in depression, anxiety, self-esteem and grief/bereavement. I approach each client as a unique individual and derive tools from different modalities including but not limited to, Writing and Poetry Therapy, Narrative, Person Centered, Play Therapy, Adlerian, CBT, Culturally Sensitive, Multicultural, Existential, Feminist, Reality Therapy, Strength-based,
Humanistic, Expressive Arts, and Mindfulness techniques.
SCHOOL:
Adler University
LANGUAGES:
English
YEAR GRADUATED:
2023
LICENSE AND STATE:
180.011805 Illinois
YEARS IN PRACTICE:
1
CERTIFICATES
Current focus on Play Therapy and Writing Therapy
