Lydia Hanson

Dealing with anxiety, struggling with self-worth, or just feeling off-balance in life is hard. You might feel like you should have it all figured out—or like no one really gets what’s going on inside your head. You’re not alone, and reaching out for support is a brave, important step. I’m really glad you’re here.

I’m a warm, creative, and curious therapist, and I try to bring a sense of realness and openness to every session. I believe people do best when they feel genuinely understood—not judged, labeled, or rushed. My job is to slow things down enough to hear what’s going on beneath the surface, and then work with you on what actually helps. I also like to bring a little lightness and sense of humor when I can, because even hard conversations don’t always have to feel heavy.

Outside of work, I love to read, hike, craft, and spend time with my cat, Blanche.

CREDENTIALS & APPROACH

I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from Pacific University, and have been working in the outpatient mental health setting for 3 years. My experience includes supporting people navigating anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and trauma.

My approach to therapy is completely client-centered and tailored to each person’s needs and goals. I draw from a range of approaches to support you in ways that feel practical and meaningful. This includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps you learn how to sit with difficult thoughts and feelings while still moving toward what matters to you; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on building skills for managing emotions, coping with stress, and improving relationships; and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps you notice and shift unhelpful thought patterns. I also use Narrative Therapy to help you explore and reshape the stories you hold about yourself, Solution-Focused Therapy to build on your strengths and focus on what’s already working, and Art Therapy as a creative way to express and process emotions when words feel hard to find. For younger clients, I like to incorporate Play Therapy, which helps build rapport with kiddos, encourages a sense of safety and calm, and helps them learn creative coping skills they can practice at home with their families.