Heather Tollander

Dr. Tollander takes a personal approach with each client to assess and meet their individual needs and emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship part of the healing process. Part of that includes helping clients find a balance between wholeheartedly accepting themselves and changing what they can. She takes an integrated approach to therapy that is informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as neurobiology. There are many ways to approach therapy and Dr. Tollander feels it is best to meet clients where they are in the healing process while remaining mindful of cultural or other differences. This could mean education about a recent diagnosis, practicing skills, or deep, long term healing from trauma. Regardless of the approach, she prioritizes trust and safety in her relationship with clients and feels having a sense of humor and curiosity are essential to the often serious nature of therapy. Dr. Tollander’s experience has given her the tools to work with a wide variety of clients and mental health concerns. In addition to ADHD, she has significant experience and specialized training to help people heal from complex trauma/PTSD and dissociative disorders like Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). She is a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). She also has specialized experience and training to help clients with issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity including writing letters for gender affirming surgery. She identifies as Queer herself. Dr. Tollander received her doctorate (PsyD) and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University. She completed her internship and residency at Portland State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in geography at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Tollander has been working with people who have ADHD since 2006 in many fun and exciting settings. They include Job Corps, a summer camp for children and teens with ADHD, and a wilderness therapy school for boys with ADHD.