Ayala Parker (she/they)
My name is Ayala (pronounced ah-yah-LAH). I was born and raised in Portland (native land of the Clackamas and Cowlitz) and love spending time outside, and finding beauty and curiosity in whatever environment is around me (even, or especially the things that are not objectively/sterotypically beautiful). In addition to being a therapist, I am an artist as well as a partner and a parent.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #T2404). I hold a Master of Arts degree from Lewis and Clark College in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy. I earned my undergraduate degree (BA) in Contemplative Psychology with a minor in Visual Art from Naropa University.
Over the course of working in private practice with a wide population, I discovered that I have particular interest and skill in working with relationships, and have focused my practice on working primarily with intimate relationships. During my graduate training, I completed year-long internships at both the Lewis and Clark Community Counseling Center, as well as at the Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches Clinic (META) where I supported individuals, intimate relationships, and families. Additionally, I took a seven month professional skills training course on Hakomi (mindful somatic therapy) at META.
I am committed to inhabiting and exploring my intersecting identities as a white, queer, Jewish person; and using my privilege to dismantle systemic oppression.
