Hi, I’m Jamie Kidd! I graduated in 2026 with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I also have a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Washington State University and a degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. I am currently an Associate Professional Counselor with the state of Oregon (OBLPCT # R9464).
I have navigated several decades living as a queer and neurodivergent human on this planet, which experience has deepened my understanding and empathy as a counselor. I bring a trauma-informed, supportive, non-judgmental presence to the counseling relationship in an effort to help guide others toward healing and connection while navigating the challenges of their daily life.
I worked for 7 years as an elementary school teacher and 8 more as a principal before finding my calling as a counselor. That experience again has greatly deepened my understanding of human growth and development, and what it looks like when early attachment needs are not met. If your concerns involve gender, sexuality, parenting (including fostering and adoption), being or exploring being queer and/or neurodivergent, navigating career change, improving or creating relationships with others, or finding and connecting with yourself and your core values, I am here and happy to help you find your way forward.
I offer a collaborative, client-centered approach incorporating elements of Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, EMDR, mindfulness techniques, and creativity to find a framework for therapy that works for each client. We will work together to find meaningful goals for you, and then work together to achieve them. I am currently seeing clients in-person and virtually in the state of Oregon.
For whatever reason, we all feel like the Awkward Turtle sometimes, myself included. We just don’t quite feel safe in some part of our lives and need to retreat into our shells. Underneath the weight of all of the expectations placed on us, however, we are all unique in our own beautiful ways. I created Awkward Turtle Therapy to help others learn to explore and love the parts of themselves they have felt compelled to hide. So whether you’re an Awkward, Anxious, Depressed, Queer, Autistic, ADHD and/or other Beautiful kind of Turtle, you’ve found the right place.
Jamie 💜✨