Ted Schmidt, LPC, EAGALA

Hi, my name is Ted (He/Him) and I am a graduate of Pacific University’s School of Professional Psychology where I received my Masters Degree in Counseling. I am originally from Wisconsin and Moved to Oregon 11 years ago after finishing my Undergraduate Degree at Western State University of Colorado. I have worked as a therapist for seven years and have had the opportunity to serve a wide range of clients in setting such as Family therapy, Individual therapy, and Crisis Intervention.

I was able to discover the power that natural settings can offer for personal growth through working as an extended wilderness trip leader for over 5 years, taking groups on short and extended wilderness trips via canoeing, sea kayaking, and backpacking. Leading these trips helped me to discover more about myself and also sparked my interested in fostering personal growth for those around me.

I believe that any person has the ability to overcome challenges and grow in their relationship with themselves and others, and to do so we all need help from time to time. Engaging with the outdoors for therapeutic work provides a safe and grounding setting that can offer the chance for reconnection with the natural world while working through our own traumatic experiences and learned beliefs about who we are and who we want to be. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy, combining techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, Mindfulness skills, Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy canoeing, fly fishing, backpacking, skateboarding, and working on my motorcycle. I try and remain grounded through activities like distance running and cross country skiing, that I think offer opportunities to strengthen the connection we have with our own bodies, and find new limits of what we can be capable of. I believe that everyday is full of opportunities to slow down and find value in whatever we may be faced with, and would be honored to have the opportunity to assist others in their personal growth.