Meet Our Counselors

Andrew Lundgren, M.A., LMFT, LPC

Thanks for visiting. Perhaps, you are hoping to take the next step in finding hope or taking positive action in your life. I recognize this step of seeking a therapist can slightly or greatly activate discomfort. I strive to sit with ALL people in a calm nurturing manner to support their journey toward well-being. Thanks for taking the step. The path to healing can take time and is very rewarding. Being here is the start of thinking and being different. Feel free to connect to see if we would be a good fit.

I have specialized training in working with couples and individuals to facilitate mutuality and repair from attachment wounds. At times this involves understanding these hurts and our protective stances that create blocks to connection. I have training in EMDR, Pragmatic Experiential Therapy, and Discernment Counseling.

Whether you choose to contact me or another, please seek out highly trained professionals who value you for you and are passionate about their own professional development. It is vital your therapist understand where you are coming from and how you view and interact with the world so they can provide the most effective interventions.

Chris Perry, M.S., CRC, LPC

Something is just not right. Something needs to change, and you’re ready to do the work. Making changes creates challenges, and any great effort has the potential for unintentional and unexpected consequences: personal relationships, grief, anxiety, and depression. I work with everyone who wants to take these steps, people who want to take accountability and collaborate on a path forward.

I use skill building, practical application, and corrective experiences. We learn skills like how to fight fair, how to manage anger, even developing interviewing skills. Then, by using these skills and practicing with the people in your life, we are able to develop reasonable expectations for common interactions with others.

I settled in Portland to be close to family. I use my experience and training to do efficient work that makes sense. If you would like to connect with me, please call or email me directly and I will respond as soon as possible.

Sam Franklin, M.S., CRC, NCC, Professional Counselor Associate

Sometimes you go through an experience and it completely changes your life, and sometimes all the little stresses add up to one big obstacle. Either way, nothing feels as good as it used to, and you constantly find yourself trapped in the past or worrying about the future. You deserve a life that’s free of constant emotional turmoil, and therapy can be a way to process unwanted memories, emotions, and thoughts. I won’t promise you that the entire process of therapy will be easy, and I won’t tell you that I can fix you; you are not a problem to be solved. What I can do is move alongside you as you shift toward the life you want.

I use a combination of self-reflection and skills building to help you connect with your core values and reduce unwanted behaviors or emotions. I believe that a counseling relationship is built on trust, honesty, communication, and empathy without judgement. You’re the expert in your own life, and my job is to help you use your own inner strength.

Deciding to start therapy is a brave choice that can lead to amazing benefits. If you think I might be a good fit for you, please contact our intake specialist by phone, email, or visiting our website at dirksecc.com. I’m excited to meet you!

Angela Alipio, M.A., Professional Counselor Associate

Angela is a counselor in training, currently working towards licensure as both a professional counselor and a marriage and family therapist. She graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University. She completed two years of internship at Core Values Counseling where she worked with individuals, couples, and families. Angela has also completed Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 & 2 Training.

Angela treats every client with respect, kindness, and compassion. She believes in taking a collaborative therapeutic approach; one that fosters a safe environment for clients to develop and achieve their personal goals. She is committed to reinforcing clients’ positive feelings and behaviors. Angela understands the importance of establishing rapport and building trust to promote healing. She feels most comfortable with utilizing a combination of Person-centered Therapy and Reality Therapy

Professional Counselor Associate

We are looking for passionate and motivated professionals to join our growing team. As a Registered Counseling Associate, you will receive board-approved clinical supervision while building your expertise in mental health care. This role involves conducting initial evaluations, determining diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing high-quality individual, group, and/or family counseling. If you are eager to build your clinical skills and grow your caseload in a supportive, collaborative environment, we want to hear from you!

The Registered Counseling Associate provides high-quality mental health services, including individual, group, and family counseling. This role involves conducting assessments, diagnosing using DSM criteria, developing treatment plans, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation. Associates receive board-approved supervision while working toward licensure and growing their caseload. This position starts part-time and can transition to full-time as the caseload builds. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, organized, and committed to their professional development in a collaborative team environment.

Take a look at the full job description HERE.

If this sounds like you or you’d like to discuss the position, send us your resume and cover letter at info@dirksecc.com.