Christ-Centered Counselor

When you find yourself in confusing or painful life circumstances, I am here to walk with you, hold space, and point you to Jesus.

Hardship, loss, trauma...

Our world is broken. The effects of this are seen in natural disasters, governments and unjust systems, relational conflicts, sickness & death, and even in our own hearts and minds.

No matter what caused your current struggle, the power of the Spirit, communion with Jesus, and the wisdom of Scripture pour out healing and transformation for a hurting heart.  

hope

God meets you in the gap

At the intersection of spiritual formation and mental health is what we sometimes call Soul Care. There are lots of resources for our bodies and minds, but sometimes we forget our souls. Hard seasons of life can make us feel like we are lost in the wilderness. Yet, scripture tells us God draws near when his people suffer. When reality falls short of what you expected and hoped for, I am here to walk with you in that gap and help you find a way forward with God.

“Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desperate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching.” ― Joni Eareckson Tada

peace

If you...

  • feel angry or let down by God
  • are reeling from church hurt and feel spiritually disoriented
  • want to heal from emotional or religious trauma
  • need to work through a complicated childhood
  • have a painful relationship with your parents or spouse
  • are grieving infertility, adoption loss, or miscarriage
  • want a listening ear as you parent adopted or special needs children
  • grieve the loss of a loved one or the end of a relationship
  • experience shame or guilt over past life choices
  • want to find direction and clarity during a confusing season
  • battle unexplained or uncontrollable anxiety
  • struggle to hold onto hope

You don’t have to walk this journey alone

You are loved...

“The love of Christ for me will get last say. He is merciful to me for his name’s sake, for the sake of his own goodness, for the sake of his steadfast love and compassion (Psalm 25). When he thinks about me, he remembers what he is like, and that is my exceeding joy. My indestructible hope is that he has turned his face towards me, and he will never turn away.”
― David Powlison

Meet Loraena

Like many people, I’ve walked through deep losses, mental health struggles, and painful church experiences. I know what it’s like to be disoriented, confused, and despairing. Yet, God has been faithful to me beyond my wildest expectations and I am here to say that He is still faithful to you, too. People (and lots of other things in life) will let us down but Jesus never will. I come alongside you as one who can relate to your suffering and point you to the One by whom we find our bearings.

For many years, my husband served in bi-vocational ministry in a small church. During that time I began to sense a tug in my own heart towards vocational ministry. When the Lord opened the doors for me to attend seminary with a focus in biblical counseling and pastoral care, I jumped at the chance! I loved my time in seminary and although my heart is deeply invested in local church life, it is my current day job and great privilege to hold hope alongside those who find themselves in the midst of deep pain and confusion here in my private practice. 

I live on the west side of Portland with my husband, teenage daughters, and two fluffy doodles. Most days you’ll find me chauffeuring the girls around town, drinking matcha, and serving with my local church. In my oh-so-valued spare time I enjoy squeezing in time to read, working out with my trainer, and laughing with my friends from book club.


Education & Credentials

joy