Meet the Team
JENNIFER D. SAMSOM, MA, LPC, LMHC (SHE/HER)
Clinic Founder and Director
Jennifer is a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual and couples therapy based in mindfulness, and she has maintained a private practice in SW Portland, Oregon for over 12 years.
Her formal training includes a Master's degree in Couples, Marriage, Family Therapy from Portland State University; M.E.T.A.‘s two-year Comprehensive Training in Hakomi, applied mindfulness, somatic approaches, experiential and trauma-focused therapy approaches; she is also formally trained in EMDR and Flash Technique.
In 2020, she harnessed her therapeutic skills and experience and broadened her practice by providing Clinical Supervision to developing therapists. She maintains her own practice and heads the Clinic by providing clinical supervision and training to all MTPNW Practitioners.
When she isn't working she enjoys being a mom to her three teenage kids, traveling, touring Multnomah Village on her Segway, camping trips chasing Bigfoot, bowling badly, riding her motorcycle and caring for her cats and chickens.
Jennifer accepts the following insurance: Regence, MODA, OHP, Cigna, United and Providence. Her cash rate is $215 per hour.
Jennifer is not currently accepting new clients.
VERONICA VALENZUELA, LPC
(SHE/HER)
Clinical Supervisor
Veronica is a mindful therapist practicing in Portland, Oregon. She enjoys working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including adults and teens. Her specialities include: anxiety, depression, stage of life transitions, identity and spiritual/existential exploration.
She grew up in the Willamette Valley, in the Oregon capital city and moved to Portland to start her professional education and training.
When Veronica isn't working her passions include photography, art, reading, yoga, meditation, travel, writing and animals. Whenever possible she integrates all of these into her daily life. You can see the beginning of her collections and inspirations here.
Veronica's cash rate is $150 per 50 minutes and she is only offering therapy via Telehealth or phone at this time.
AMY JAFFE (SHE/HER)
Graduate Student Intern, George Fox University Clinical Mental Health Master's Program
Amy is enrolled in the George Fox University Clinical Mental Health Master's Program. She enters her internship this year and simultaneously is completing the Trauma Response Institute certification.
She is preparing to work in the field of trauma and grief, and utilize her education, skills, and 35 years of experience as a police officer, private investigator, and a domestic violence shelter coach and trainer to be of service to people who are in crisis. She will also be focused on social justice issues and ready to support members of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPoC communities.
When Amy is not working or studying she enjoys riding motorcycles, connecting with community, traveling with her wife and caring for their dog, Bella.
Amy's cash rate is $50 per 50 minute session. She offers therapy via Telehealth and in-person.
MEGAN LILAH MARTIN, MA, CADC 1
(SHE/HER)
Professional Counselor Associate
Megan works with individuals from age 15 to end of life. She specializes in body acceptance, life transitions, addiction recovery, issues related to aging, LGBTQIA+ issues, depression, and anxiety. Megan supports people to channel desire, frustration, and creativity into wholeness, resilience, and thriving.
She offers a compassionate, integrative counseling approach that is rooted in Humanistic and Existential theories that value the essential worth and wisdom of each person as they seek to form meaningful perspectives on their unique experiences and make nourishing connections. Megan encourages clients to question their social conditioning and re-author their life narratives and choices to be more empowering. She welcomes somatic and emotional awareness and integration in the here-and-now, inspired by her 20-year career as a bodyworker and ecstatic dance facilitator.
Megan’s training includes a Master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in addictions from Lewis & Clark College; M.E.T.A.‘s two-year Comprehensive Training in Hakomi, applied mindfulness, somatic approaches, and experiential and trauma-focused therapy approaches; Integrative Somatic Parts Work; expressive arts approaches; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and studies in gender and sexualities at Portland State University.
When she isn't working, Megan enjoys water aerobics, spending time with loved ones, photographing flowers, writing, and dancing.
At this time Megan offers therapy by Telehealth only. She accepts OHP, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and her cash rate is $115 per hour.
CHRISTOPHER BOOTHBY, MS, LPC (HE/HIM)
Affiliated Provider
Chris maintained a private practice in Portland, Oregon for over 10 years. In 2017 he moved to Thailand where he was first a counselor, and later the clinical supervisor at a wellness retreat center, New Life Foundation, serving an international clientele until it’s closure due to COVID-19. Chris is now offering teletherapy to Oregon residents.
As a therapist, he draws on his first career as an award-winning architect, his background in massage therapy, a passion for lifelong learning and his extensive training in Hakomi, a mindfulness-based, body-centered psychotherapy technique, to create a nurturing, flexible style of care that attends to the client as a living, upwardly evolving system of mind, body and spirit. Chris works relationally from an Attachment Lens. For more about his approach click here.
When Chris is not engaged in Therapy, he enjoys outdoor activities and nature, specifically, cycling, hiking, gardening, hot springs and waterfalls. In addition, he’s drawn to curvy mountain roads and motorbikes. Exploring SE Asia has been a latter-day opportunity for all these activities primarily in northern Thailand where the coffee is delicious and the people are friendly.
Chris is only offering therapy via Telehealth at this time. He accepts OHP and his cash rate is $150 for 60-minute individual session and $200 for 75-minute couples session.
LEIGH VARLEY, MA (SHE/HER)
Professional Counselor Associate
Leigh specializes in working with individuals and couples navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and low self-esteem.
In therapy, Leigh offers a safe and supportive environment for exploration and healing while encouraging self-compassion and present-moment awareness. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and relational. She draws from mindfulness-based, somatic, humanistic, and emotionally focused therapies.
Leigh received her master's degree in marriage, couple, and family counseling from Portland State University. She is committed to practicing with cultural humility and creating a welcoming and equitable space for all clients.
Outside of therapy, Leigh enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring Oregon’s natural beauty.
Leigh accepts OHP, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and her cash rate is $115 per 50-minute session. A limited number of sliding-scale spaces are available based on financial need. At this time, Leigh offers therapy via telehealth only.
EDEN SWARTZ (SHE/HER)
Graduate Student Intern, Naropa University, Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling
Eden has been practicing mindfulness for many years. Going to school and doing a deep dive into studying mindfulness-based counseling feels like a natural progression. She is extremely compassionate and enjoys working with individuals and couples of all ages and backgrounds.
She uses practices like yoga, breathing exercises, and somatic therapy to support people going through life's many challenges – transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting, divorce, insecurities, etc. She has a special place in her heart for the perinatal community; she has been teaching yoga and supporting new families for over 15 years.
When Eden is not working, you can find her doing her favorite things. She loves to spend time with her husband and two teenagers, as well as gardening, hiking, traveling, reading, yoga, knitting, having coffee with friends, talking to her sisters on the phone, napping with her three cats, and walking her exceptionally empathetic therapy dog, (certification in progress). Eden is also a professional photographer.
Eden's cash rate is $50 per 50 minute session. She offers therapy via Telehealth only.
NICOLE DOVE, BSN, RNC (SHE/HER)
Graduate Student Intern, University of Providence, Master of Science in Counseling
Nicole is enrolled in the University of Providence Master of Science in Counseling. She enters her internship this year (2023). She focuses on women’s health, pregnancy and postpartum, and other various issues including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress management, grief and loss, and marriage/relationship. Nicole is also working towards a certificate in ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Certification Course.
She is preparing to work in the field of Women’s Health and utilized her education and experience to assist women. Nicole has been working for 14 years as a registered nurse in a high-risk labor and delivery unit. She will also focus on working with clients who are diagnosed with ADHD and support clients of the LGBTQIA+ and BiPoC communities.
When Nicole is not working and studying, she enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with her two girls and husband of over 18 years.
Nicole's cash rate is $50 per 50 minute session. She offers therapy via Telehealth only.
LUNA PEREIRA, LMT (SHE/HER)
Graduate Student Intern, Adams State University, Clinical Mental Health Master's Program
Luna is enrolled in Adams State University Clinical Mental Health Master's Program, and her experience as a bodyworker for over 20 years, has guided her towards working in the field of trauma, attachment, anxiety, depression and life transitions.
Luna's training includes M.E.T.A.'s two year Comprehensive Training in Hakomi and M.E.T.A.'s Attachment Training.
Luna applies an integrative approach with her clients, advocating for their wholeness through mindfulness, self-awareness, empowerment and authenticity. Along with inviting clients to explore their life experiences, she also invites a client's somatic experience to be a part of their therapeutic journey and discovery.
When Luna is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, adventuring to new places, and finding new ways to listen to nature.
Luna's cash rate is $50 per 50 minute session. She offers therapy via Telehealth only.