Ronald L Johnson LPC

Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy is the basic module of contemporary psychotherapy, in which professionals help a single person work through any personal issues or concerns they might be facing.  At Mindful Therapy PDX, the focus is on enhancing self-awareness and promoting growth to help resolve various types of diagnostic issues such as anxiety or anger, as well an exploring early life trauma or other antecedents that may be causing unhealthy, repetitive patterns of thinking and behavior. These sessions are completely confidential. Clients also learn mindfulness-based stress reduction and meditation techniques to help them stay grounded and healthy while they recover and after they graduate from session work. 

Couples Therapy

At Mindful Therapy PDX many folks in intimate relationships seek individual counseling first, so both people involved can become less reactive and more mindful and resolve individual personal issues first. This often naturally eases conflict in a relationship. Then the couple can meet together in sessions both to study successful couples’ practices, and to discuss deeper sources of conflict in a respectful and caring way. Couples can then learn to more gently handle conflicts that arise without letting situations escalate out of control.

Adjunctive Therapy

Adjunctive therapy is defined in two different ways. It first might be when a friend or relative is brought in for one or two sessions just to shed light on some issue or resolve a specific problem the primary client is experiencing.  All parties agree this will be short-term. Secondly, a client may have been prescribed some type of medication for a mental health issue by a psychiatrist or their primary care provider (PCP).

Frequently talk therapy or individual therapy is also recommended as an adjunct treatment modality, and Mindful Therapy PDX is happy to offer this service. It is often combined with eventual coordination with the PCP around tapering off the prescribed medications near the end of treatment.

Multicultural Therapy

Mindfulness as it developed in the U.S. is secular, yet has deep roots in the Buddhism of Japan, China and India. It also has borrowed deeply from the psychology and outlook of Yoga, including some elements of the physical practice, including breathing techniques. So, from the beginning it honors the traditions of the East, the indigenous wisdom teachings that originated thousands of years ago and are so finely developed. These have also taken root in America and fit so well with the understandings Jungian, Humanistic, and Cognitive Therapies, they have become integrated with these Western approaches. Mindful Therapy PDX also weaves in Native American and Mexican Toltec indigenous psychologies along with African teachings including the healing drum. These are used not just to be inclusive but because each tradition offers an essential perspective on human life, and only together do they comprise a treatment modality that promotes complete wellness. Mindful Therapy PDX enjoys helping individuals of any cultural background to feel whole and complete and grounded in their unique traditions and in the whole fabric of America. All clients learn good self-esteem regardless of race, gender or sexual preference, learn to be assertive and advocate on behalf of themselves and others, and gain skill in being more immune to all types of bias. 

Specialties

• Alcohol & Substance Use Disorders
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Behavioral Addictions
• Chronic Pain
• Depression
• Life Coaching
• Post-Psychedelic Reintegration
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Distress
• Spirituality Concerns
• Climate Change Anxiety

Approaches

• Mindfulness-Based (MB) Therapies
• MB Stress Reduction
• MB Cognitive Therapy
• MB Relapse Prevention
• Humanistic Psychology
• Presence-Centered Therapy
• Holistic – Transpersonal – Shamanistic
• Bibliotherapy – Use of Books & Film
• Yoga Therapy

I spent a number of years as a juvenile counselor and mentor for different public agencies like the Portland Public Schools Indian Education Project, Janus Youth Programs, The Inn Home for Boys, and Multnomah County and Washington County Behavioral Health systems, before becoming an addictions counselor in 2012. I enjoyed the kids I worked with, difficult as some were, and several have stayed in touch, which is rewarding. 

However, as my own spiritual practice and understanding of mindfulness grew, especially in graduate school at Walden University, the calling to help adults with their issues and personal growth became stronger and stronger, until finally I became licensed to do just that. I established Mindful Therapy PDX in 2013 and am grateful to all the amazing people who have trusted me to help them with their healing, self-actualization, and transformation.

Qualifications

• Nine Years in Practice
• Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor #C4814
• Oregon Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor #12-03-24
• International Certified Yoga Therapist #20590365
• Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher #66630

Education

• UC Santa Cruz, Psychology & Religious Studies
• Oregon Health Sciences University, Addiction Studies
• University of Oregon, Psychology & Creative Writing
• Walden University, Graduate Counseling

Health plans

• Aetna
• Optum
• Providence
• Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
• United Behavioral Health

Other methods

• Health Care Savings Cards
• General Out-of-Network Provider
• $90 Flat Rate Cash Pay
• Accepts Cash – Credit/Debit Cards – Checks