Practical tools. A real relationship. Your pace.
Collaborative CBT connects practical skills with a trusting relationship and a trauma-aware pace.
Approach
Marie Sarte, LCSW
I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): we look at how thoughts, feelings, and actions feed each other, then practice small changes that loosen the cycle.
CBT, Without the Jargon
- 01
Notice
We slow down a moment that went sideways. What happened, what you told yourself, what you did next.
- 02
Question
We test the thought. Is it the whole story? What would you say to a friend thinking it?
- 03
Try
You pick one small experiment for the week: a different response, a new routine, a boundary.
- 04
Review
We look at what happened, without grading you. Then we adjust.
Skills matter. So does feeling understood while you learn them.
Relational
Say the messy version out loud.
Therapy works best when you can say the messy version out loud. I try to earn that trust by being consistent, honest, and clear about what I’m suggesting and why.
If something I suggest doesn’t fit your life, your culture, or your brain, tell me. We change it.
Trauma-Aware
Old patterns were once protection.
Some patterns started as ways to stay okay in hard situations. We treat them with respect, not as flaws to delete.
You decide how much to share and when. We go at a pace that keeps you steady enough to keep going.
The First Three Appointments
Building a solid foundation.
- 01
Intake
We talk about what is going on in your life right now, across work or school, relationships, health, and home.
- 02
Your story
A chance to tell me your life story, so I understand you as a person in the context of your experiences, not just a list of symptoms.
- 03
Goals and a plan
We agree on what you want to be different and how we will know it is working. Then the practice starts.
Consultation
Free, 15 minutes
A short call to see whether working together makes sense.
Sessions
50 minutes, weekly
Online in Oregon; In person at 1125 SE Market St, Portland, OR 97214. Rates are on Services and Rates.
Cancellations
48 hours notice
Rescheduling within the same week counts as a reschedule, not a late cancellation.
FAQ
Questions About the Work
Will there be homework?
Usually one small experiment between sessions: a different response, a short routine, a boundary. We review it together without grading you.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on what you bring and what you want. Some people come for a season around one problem; others stay longer. We check progress regularly and you decide.
Is this the same as coaching?
No. This is psychotherapy with a licensed clinician. We work on the thinking and the history underneath the habit, not only the habit.
Therapy is not a substitute for medical care, and this page is general information, not advice for your situation. I can’t promise specific results; I can promise to work with you honestly and to adjust when something isn’t helping.
Curious how this would work for you?
Bring your questions to a free 15-minute consultation.