Alan Rutherford, LPC
Professional counseling for individuals and couples
imagine 50 minutes
imagine 50 minutes
WITHOUT:pressure, interruptions, politics, screens, algorithms.
WITH:
someone formally trained, active in the Christian faith, giving you undivided attention, focused on your well-being; to talk about significant things, get clear about what you value the most, increase your insight, and face challenges.
FOR COUPLES, IT’S A LOT THE SAME.
50 minutes
50 minutes
WITH:someone formally trained to work with couples, assessing what’s happened, helping hard conversations to get easier; having you try some new things, and keeping it safe and beneficial
the ultimate goal is to heal your relationship.
“You’re impartial. And you helped my husband to say stuff I’ve never heard him say before.”
— couples client
“Thanks for walking through this with me, your support has been invaluable… I’m living a more grateful and peaceful life.”
— past client
“You put your heart and soul into your job!”
— colleague
ISSUES I WORK WITH:separations, career change, faith issues, grief & loss, depression, affairs, relationship conflict, identity development, motivation, anxiety, boundaries, retirement, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties
AVAILABILITY:
I have offices in two locations:
3939 NE Hancock St in the Hollywood District
205 SE Spokane St next to the Sellwood Bridge.
I’m also available for virtuaI sessions.
I offer appointments on Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays, including some evening options.
Contact me for current availability.
ABOUT ME:Training & experience. I have an MA in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling from George Fox University. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon. I’ve facilitated around 60 groups for engaged couples and married couples.
Creativity has always been important to me. I have degrees in art and architecture, worked as a designer/builder for 20 years, and I’m a musician. Creativity plays a part in counseling, too — no two people or situations are alike. Your creativity (and mine) will be vital as we work together.
Lifelong learning. I study a lot. I take notes during counseling sessions and review them later. I research. I share about what I’m learning—including things you have taught me.
Language. It consists of words, figures of speech, tone, expression, and body language. I love decoding the messages in language and exploring new ways to say things.
Values. Sometimes your values get pushed aside—by you or by others. Values compete with each other and change. I help you clarify and prioritize them.
Faith. Faith is an important part of our stories. I'm a Christian. Faith deserves to be part of the conversation. Lots to talk about here. Deconstruction can be scary. However, it’s not bad, it’s essential to your development.
Emotions. Many of us were taught to suppress our emotions and to mistrust people who are "too emotional." Actually, your emotions are trustworthy and important. Let's pay attention to what they're telling us.
Bicycles. I ride every day and bikepack every summer. Cycling is a way that I care for myself. Let's look at all the ways you care for yourself.
CREATIVITY IS VITAL TO RECOVERY.That might sound as if I’m saying you need to be artsy. I’m not. I mean creativity in a different sense: thinking and making (creating) things in an imaginative way. It’s assertive. It’s a pathway to change.
Recovery means trying new things.
I confess I am a little on the artsy side. I love to draw, design, and build stuff. I arrange music and lead a chamber group.
Counseling is an art. No two people or situations are alike. So counseling doesn’t adhere to a formula. It’s a creative process.
I'VE LEARNED WHAT SELF CARE IS.I used to think it was selfish. I never wanted to put myself ahead of other people. I wanted to practice self-denial. I didn’t understand that self-denial can actually be taken too far.
A wise professor taught me that self-care is different from selfishness.
A wise counselor pointed out to me that Jesus, who epitomized self-denial, modeled self care, too.
And a wise person I live with (my wife) let me know that I’m a lot more fun to be around on the days I get exercise. 😂 She helped me to realize that caring for myself is synonymous with caring for her.
Today, I see self care not just as a way to feel better, but as a way to live and love better.
RECOMMENDED READINGThese are some of the books I recommend.
I also frequently share articles, videos, and podcast episodes connected to what we’re working on.
If you decide to buy a book, I encourage you to patronize a local brick-and-mortar store such as Powell’s or Broadway Books.
ABOUT THE FIR MOTIFI’ve lived in western Oregon my whole life. We have lots of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). I’ve felled and split fir trees for firewood and built houses and furniture with its lumber. I’m always seeing cones on the ground and picking them up.
You don’t see many baby seedlings, though. The seeds don’t germinate very easily. They need certain conditions. We do, too. I’m not saying we need to be babied, but that the conditions need to be right for us to thrive.
What conditions are you living in?
FEES:The fee for a 50 minute counseling session is $120.
Sliding scale. I have a limited number of reduced fee slots available for clients who can't afford the full rate. Please inquire about availability.
Insurance: I am not in insurance networks. However, your policy may cover my services as an out-of-network provider. Contact your company for more information
There are benefits of paying cash: you keep control of your private health information, your goals, course of treatment, diagnosis process, and number of visits.
ARRANGE A CONSULTATION.
Request a free 15 minute phone consultation below.
I can answer any questions and learn what you’re looking for. If we decide it’s a fit, we’ll exchange some info and set an appointment.
SEND ME A MESSAGE.