Lorraine McKenzie, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in the mental health field working with children, adolescents, adults and families. I earned my undergraduate Bachelor in Education, Family and Community Services, degree from the University of Oregon, and my graduate Master in Social Work degree from Portland State University. I am an activist in the disability and human rights movement and have lived my own journey of recovery after receiving multiple diagnoses including schizophrenia as a teenager and then later as woman with Asperger's when I was in my 20s. I love to learn and have received extensive training in autism spectrum and Asperger syndrome, psychosis, and employment assistance training. Additional training has included specialized work in the areas of trauma, grief, family counseling, emotional regulation/emotional wellness, depression and anxiety disorders, disordered eating/emotional eating, and LGBT issues. My clinical interests and experience include employment and education issues, psychosis, severe and persistent mental health challenges, child and adult trauma, and life transitions. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to partner with people as they make changes in their lives. My previous practice settings have included a SPMI residential treatment home, a hospital counseling center, convalescent and hospice care settings, an Alzheimer's treatment home, and community counseling settings. My therapy style is supportive and interactive using a cognitive behavioral framework focusing on how thoughts impact both our emotions and behaviors. In therapy, I focus on assisting clients in developing coping and emotion regulation skills, improved boundaries in relationships, and effective communication skills to build and maintain personal and professional relationships.