Jeannie Balenger (she/her) MS, NCC, CRC

Professional Counselor Associate

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When you Subliminally dress like the artwork you see everyday.

About me:

My name is Jeannie (like “in a bottle”) I am in my late 30s, and originally from the Washington D.C. area but grew up here, in outer east Portland/Rockwood. Before starting college in my 30s, I worked in the restaurant industry for nearly 20 years. This is where I learned that the best place to cry is in a walk-in cooler. The aroma of spilled beer and chopped onions, the crisp cool air on your face, and the humming of the refrigeration system is a much needed place of solace in an otherwise chaotic environment.

In addition to food service, I've spent the last 5 years working in higher education doing career counseling, academic advising, and college admissions. I did my clinical internship at the PSU Community Counseling Clinic, a low-cost community mental health clinic. Over the years, I have worked with co-workers, customers, students, and clients from many different backgrounds and life experiences, such as people struggling with addiction, fear of deportation, various mental health issues, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, low-income, and Queer people.

Like many clients, I have experienced adversities growing up such as a single parent home, poverty, delinquency issues, parental addition, incarceration, and death. My life and work experiences have significantly influenced my decision to become a counselor. I strive to be a genuine, trusting and safe person for clients who have historically lacked safety and trust in relationships and within systems.

In my spare time, I enjoy banter, social commentary, and starting books and not finishing them. I also enjoy making things like food, art, and jokes, trivia, the 90s, and improving my 2nd grade level Spanish.

Counseling Approach:

I work mostly from a psychodynamic and attachment theory lens. This means that I believe the concerns a person brings to therapy can often be linked to significant relationships and experiences in their past and present. I believe it is important to explore past relationships and experiences, in order to get to the root of the issue that keeps you feeling stuck in the same pattern or routine. This includes addressing the relationship between you and me (counselor and client). Read more about my other counseling approaches in the drop down section of this page.

Additionally, I believe humor serves as a powerful tool for making connections, easing tension, and promoting resilience. Through appropriate humor, and my counseling philosophy I aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment where you feel comfortable exploring uncomfortable emotions, gaining new perspectives, and ultimately, finding healing and growth.

Therapies I use:

  • A belief that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by unconscious processes and past experiences, particularly those from childhood. Through exploring these unconscious dynamics within the therapeutic relationship, I aim to help you gain insight into your inner conflicts, unresolved emotions, and patterns of behavior. By uncovering and understanding these underlying issues, you can develop greater self-awareness, make healthier choices, and experience personal growth and emotional healing.

  • A supportive and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your feelings and find your own solutions to problems. I will provide empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine engagement, which helps you become more self-aware, confident, and capable of managing life's challenges. This approach focuses on your perspective and experiences, fostering personal growth and self-discovery.

  • A belief that your early relationships with caregivers shape your patterns of attachment and influence your emotional well-being throughout life. I will work to strengthen your sense of security, trust, and connection in relationships. Through exploration of past attachment experiences and current relational dynamics, you will learn to recognize and challenge patterns of relating, develop more secure attachment styles, and develop healthier interpersonal connections. The therapeutic process often involves creating a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your attachment history, express emotions, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and others based on greater understanding and empathy.

  • Think of the yourself like a team made up of different "parts." These parts have their own feelings and ideas. These parts are all inside you and can sometimes cause you to feel and act in complicated ways. IFS therapy helps people understand these parts, like your inner critic part, perfectionist part, and addictive part. By talking about these parts with kindness and curiosity, you can learn more about yourself and find balance within. The goal of IFS therapy is to help you feel more connected to your core self and feel calm, connected and understand yourself better so you can live a more genuine and happy life.em description

  • Explores the fundamental questions of human existence, such as the meaning of life, freedom, responsibility, and death. I emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the unique experiences of each individual. I will work with you to confront existential concerns, such as the inevitability of death, the experience of isolation, and the search for meaning. Through this exploration, you are encouraged to take ownership of your life, make authentic choices aligned with your values, and find meaning and purpose even in the face of life's inherent uncertainties. The therapeutic process often involves deep reflection, exploration of values and beliefs, and a focus on your experience of living in the present moment.

  • Acknowledges and addresses the impact of trauma on your life. Rooted in an understanding of the neurobiological, psychological, and social effects of trauma, I prioritize safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in the therapeutic work. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and validating environment where you feel understood, respected, and in control of your healing journey. The therapeutic process is characterized by sensitivity, compassion, and a commitment to fostering healing and growth.

  • Focuses on how your body responds to stress and interacts with your emotions. This therapy looks at the vagus nerve, which connects your brain to different parts of your body, like your heart and gut. It suggests that your body has three states—safe, fight/flight, and freeze—that affect how you feel and act. You will learn to notice and regulate your body's responses to stress, helping you feel more calm and connected. I may use techniques like breathing exercises, mindfulness, or movement to help you shift from feeling anxious or shut down to feeling safe and grounded. The goal is to help you build resilience and feel more in control of your emotions and reactions.

  • This is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that focuses on changing your negative patterns of thought and behavior. CBT helps you develop healthier thinking patterns, and adopt effective coping strategies to deal with various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, I provide practical exercises and homework assignments that empowers you to take control of your mental health and improve their overall well-being.

Formal Education and Training:

I graduated from Portland State University with a Master in Counseling in 2024. Major coursework included counseling theories, multicultural counseling, grief/loss, family therapy, addictions, and medical and psychosocial aspects of disability. Additionally, I hold a Bachelor in Sociology and Global Studies (Latin American focus) from Portland State University (2021).

Licensure Status

I am currently a Registered Associate Counselor in the state of Oregon. My clinical supervisors are Natasha Laumei, MA, LPC, LMHC and Emily Berry, MS, LPC. Please see their respective website (laumeicounseling.com & emilyberrycounseling.com) for information about their experience and therapeutic approaches.

Trainings I have completed:

  • Introduction to Internal Family Systems therapy

  • Breaking barriers in masculinity and oppressive gender norms: Developing competency in fostering a working alliance with cisgender male clients

  • Suicide Prevention and Intervention for Latino/a/e Communities

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Introduction workshop

  • Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for Clients at Risk for Suicide

  • Polyvagal Theory: Pathways to Stillness with Deb Dana