About Maya
A steady, kind space to come back to yourself
A steady, kind space to come back to yourself
I’m Maya Ellison, LMFT — a therapist for thoughtful, high-feeling people who are tired of holding it all together. For 12 years I’ve helped adults and couples in Portland and online find calm, clarity and connection.
I’m Maya Ellison, LMFT — a therapist for thoughtful, high-feeling people who are tired of holding it all together. For 12 years I’ve helped adults and couples in Portland and online find calm, clarity and connection.
12+
12+
years in practice
years in practice
LMFT
LMFT
OR & WA licensed
OR & WA licensed
EMDR
EMDR
certified
certified
✓
Now accepting
New clients for spring
My story
Someone once made room for me. Now I make room for you.
Someone once made room for me. Now I make room for you.
In my twenties I was the dependable one — high-achieving on the outside, quietly anxious underneath. Therapy gave me words for what I felt and permission to slow down. It changed the course of my life.
In my twenties I was the dependable one — high-achieving on the outside, quietly anxious underneath. Therapy gave me words for what I felt and permission to slow down. It changed the course of my life.
Today I offer that same steadiness to my clients. Sessions with me are warm, honest and collaborative. We’ll laugh sometimes, sit with hard things often, and always move at a pace that feels safe for you.
Today I offer that same steadiness to my clients. Sessions with me are warm, honest and collaborative. We’ll laugh sometimes, sit with hard things often, and always move at a pace that feels safe for you.
— Maya
— Maya
My approach
What working together feels like
What working together feels like
Therapy isn’t about fixing you — you’re not broken. It’s about understanding yourself more kindly, and building tools that actually fit your life.
Therapy isn’t about fixing you — you’re not broken. It’s about understanding yourself more kindly, and building tools that actually fit your life.
01
01
Warm & collaborative
Warm & collaborative
You’re the expert on your life. I bring the map; we choose the path together.
You’re the expert on your life. I bring the map; we choose the path together.
02
02
Grounded in research
Grounded in research
Proven approaches like CBT, EMDR and the Gottman Method — never one-size-fits-all.
Proven approaches like CBT, EMDR and the Gottman Method — never one-size-fits-all.
03
03
Trauma-informed
Trauma-informed
Safety and choice come first. We go at your pace, always.
Safety and choice come first. We go at your pace, always.
04
04
Inclusive & affirming
Inclusive & affirming
A space for every identity, culture, body and family shape. LGBTQIA+ affirming.
A space for every identity, culture, body and family shape. LGBTQIA+ affirming.
How I work
Approaches I draw on
Approaches I draw on
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Notice and gently shift unhelpful thought patterns.
Notice and gently shift unhelpful thought patterns.
EMDR
EMDR
Process painful memories so they lose their grip.
Process painful memories so they lose their grip.
Gottman Method
Gottman Method
Research-based tools for couples to reconnect.
Research-based tools for couples to reconnect.
Acceptance & Commitment (ACT)
Acceptance & Commitment (ACT)
Make room for feelings and move toward what matters.
Make room for feelings and move toward what matters.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Get curious about the different parts of you.
Get curious about the different parts of you.
Mindfulness-based therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy
Ground in the present with body-based practices.
Ground in the present with body-based practices.
Education & training
Credentials
Credentials
2025
2025
EMDR Consultant-in-Training
EMDR Consultant-in-Training
EMDR International Association
EMDR International Association
2019
2019
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 2
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 2
The Gottman Institute
The Gottman Institute
2016
2016
EMDR Certification
EMDR Certification
EMDR International Association
EMDR International Association
2014
2014
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Oregon Board (#T1234) · Washington (#LF6000)
Oregon Board (#T1234) · Washington (#LF6000)
2012
2012
MA, Marriage, Couple & Family Therapy
MA, Marriage, Couple & Family Therapy
Lewis & Clark College, Portland
Lewis & Clark College, Portland
AAMFT member
AAMFT member
EMDRIA member
EMDRIA member
Sliding-scale provider
Sliding-scale provider
Telehealth certified
Telehealth certified
Outside the therapy room
A few things that keep me grounded
A few things that keep me grounded
I believe therapists should practise what they teach. Here’s what that looks like for me.
I believe therapists should practise what they teach. Here’s what that looks like for me.
Early forest walks — with Juniper, my very opinionated golden retriever.
Slow mornings — pour-over coffee, a journal and no phone for the first hour.
Clay & ceramics — I’m a beginner potter — imperfect bowls, happy heart.
Ongoing learning — my own therapy and regular clinical consultation.
“You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to have the words yet. We’ll find them together.”
— Maya Ellison, LMFT
— Maya Ellison, LMFT
12+
Years in practice
2,400+
Sessions held
48h
Typical reply time
15 min
Free first consult
12+
Years in practice
2,400+
Sessions held
48h
Typical reply time
15 min
Free first consult
12+
Years in practice
2,400+
Sessions held
48h
Typical reply time
15 min
Free first consult
Begin here
Ready when you are. Let’s talk.
Reach out for a free, no-pressure 15-minute call. I usually reply within two business days.
Phone
Studio
1120 NW Everett St, Suite 4, Portland, OR
Hours
Mon–Thu 9am–7pm · Fri 9am–2pm
Request a free consultation
All fields are kept confidential.
Prefer to pick a time yourself?
Begin here
Ready when you are. Let’s talk.
Reach out for a free, no-pressure 15-minute call. I usually reply within two business days.
Phone
Studio
1120 NW Everett St, Suite 4, Portland, OR
Hours
Mon–Thu 9am–7pm · Fri 9am–2pm
Request a free consultation
All fields are kept confidential.
Prefer to pick a time yourself?
Begin here
Ready when you are. Let’s talk.
Reach out for a free, no-pressure 15-minute call. I usually reply within two business days.
Phone
Studio
1120 NW Everett St, Suite 4, Portland, OR
Hours
Mon–Thu 9am–7pm · Fri 9am–2pm
Request a free consultation
All fields are kept confidential.
Prefer to pick a time yourself?