Tina Gilbertson, M.A.
Years ago as a young adult, I found myself feeling terribly unfulfilled with what should have been an exciting life
in New York City and a career in television. I decided to seek counseling to find out what the heck was wrong with me. My experience in therapy changed the course of my life.
Therapy gave me a new appreciation for the whole of a person,
including the "messy" parts. I learned that these uncertain, wounded parts of us are infused with untapped energy
that can be used to propel us in exactly the directions we need to go. I underwent a personal renaissance as my self-awareness
deepened. I became more congruent, more energized, and more effective in every area of my life.
I had always been driven by a restless quest to find my life's work, and for the
first time in therapy, I felt like I'd come home. It was clear to me that all the years of searching were over, and that amazingly,
those years with their accumulation of skills and experience would serve me well as the foundation for my own work as a counselor.
These exciting discoveries and the culmination of my own long
search for The Right Work left me with a special interest in career development. The career counseling that I do is one part
coaching, and nine parts insight therapy. I focus on helping people get to know themselves well enough to connect to their
bliss, so they can forge a career path rather than follow one. (See the section on Career Counseling for more about my approach.)
It seems to me
a rare privilege to be invited to walk alongside another person on his or her personal path to healing, growth and achievement.
I feel incredibly, shockingly, almost obscenely lucky to be doing this work.
I hold a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College here in Portland, and am registered
with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors & Therapists (R1106).