Rosie McKenna, MA

Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Heather Vliet, LPC

Scheduling: 503.444.8230
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-6:00pm

“The only way to learn is to live.”

— Matt Haig, The Midnight Library

My Approach

I believe each of us move through life influenced by our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and body sensations. My goal as a therapist is to help clients navigate their feelings and experiences using interactive, developmentally appropriate approaches designed to foster exploration and expression. I enjoy taking a collaborative approach, working with children, teens, and caregivers to increase insight and develop practical tools to overcome emotional, behavioral, and relational obstacles. I hope to create a safe space where play and creativity serve as the language for emotional processing and self-discovery, allowing for expression at your own pace!

Ages:

  • 6 years - young adulthood

Specialities:

  • ADHD

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Behavioral and emotional concerns

  • Family relationships and conflict

  • Play therapy

  • School-related concerns and stress

FAQs

What is your training?

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Portland and a master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College. My coursework included emphasis on development across the lifespan, diagnosis and treatment of children, and emphasized social justice. I took courses specifically in family therapy, play therapy, and neuroaffirming therapeutic techniques.

What is your experience with children and teens?

My experience with youth started when I was in high school through tutoring and participating in child development programs. I continued to work with families and youth as a Behavior Technician where I had the opportunity to use applied behavior analysis to provide play-based therapy to support children ages 4-10 to achieve meaningful goals at home and in school. 

I recently completed my pre-degree clinical internship here at NW Counseling Associates where I provided mental health counseling to children ages 5 to 17 and their families/caregivers to develop skills and strategies to support the child’s needs.

What is a therapy appointment like? What will we do?

Throughout our first few sessions, we will focus on getting to know each other and discussing goals for working together. I enjoy using creative, playful approaches in sessions to build our therapeutic relationship. This can look like creating art, playing, and using humor to build rapport. I encourage you to take ownership of the space and process, and I’m here to support you in a way that feels safe, empowering, and tailored to your needs. 

What is my approach to working with families and caregivers?

My approach is rooted in the belief that individual challenges are rarely isolated; they often stem from complex dynamics within the family system. Parent coaching and family therapy are crucial because they address the root causes of these issues by working with the entire family unit to help families reconnect, figure out what’s getting in their way, and work together to resolve problems. My goal is to equip caregivers and families with concrete communication skills and practical tools to navigate future challenges independently.