peggy’s story

Hi, I’m Peggy (she/her). 

For most of my adult life I have nurtured my passion to help others, from volunteer work, to mentorship, I experienced first-hand the impact of holding space for others.  Born and raised in Southern California, I moved to the coast of Oregon in 2016 where I found a home in the nature and sweetness of Oregon, from the mountains to the coast I enjoy the space to breathe and take in the healing properties of nature

My own lived experience of grief and loss, intimate partner violence, and challenging life transitions found me at a breaking point.  From this place I discovered the healing properties of therapy and somatic work. Through yoga, meditation, somatic experiencing, and being deeply heard by another, I began to grow and heal, turning pain into purpose. I followed this passion into the field of counseling. I am grateful to pursue what I truly believe is my life’s purpose, and I am so glad you took this step to explore the gift of therapy. I am humbled and honored to share in your journey.

When I am not sharing space with clients, you will find me connecting to nature through hiking, kayaking, camping and exploring. I love to travel, meet new people, and experience diverse cultures. I am also a dog lover who is continually humbled by the unconditional love animals so freely give.  I practice yoga, breathwork and meditation on my own path towards authenticity, curiosity and connection to self, nature, and all living beings.

As a therapist and a human, I believe that being seen and heard in the caring non-judgmental presence of another creates an environment where deep healing can occur. I practice from a mind-body holism approach, meaning I honor the inseparable union of mind and body.  Many of my clients benefit from somatic healing where years of previous talk therapy has only touched the surface. Together we will navigate a path towards understanding the natural somatic and emotional responses associated with difficult life events.  I believe we all deserve to feel comfortable in our own skin and at home in our own life as we tend to our basic needs for love, acceptance, connection and safety.

I hold the idea that humans possess natural impulses towards growth and change. Hakomi therapy and my approach is of the belief that healing is not fixing or forcing but an act of self-recreation. I am here to walk with you on your journey of self-exploration. Together, we will remove old patterns and responses, allowing for the emergence of sustainable, healthy coping mechanisms. In therapy we will work to facilitate the merging of all parts; mind, body and spirit as you make your way home to the authenticity of your true self. 

Now for the professional stuff.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Oregon State University, and have various continuing education coursework in trauma informed care, adverse childhood experiences, inner child work, grief and loss, and somatic work.  Currently I am working towards becoming a Certified Hakomi Therapist with future work that includes EMDR certification, Somatic Experiencing and further IFS studies. I am a National Certified Counselor, a member of the American Counseling Association and a member of the Hakomi Education Network.

My professional experience includes providing youth, adolescents, and adults in need of crisis intervention access to mental and behavioral health care. Most recently I worked with a non-profit center where I provided therapy for a diverse population including LGBTQIA+ clients, those experiencing life transitions, intimate partner violence, grief and loss, abandonment wounds, childhood trauma, PTSD, panic disorder, attachment wounding, depression and anxiety.  

I believe every human is unique; therefore, I approach therapy as collaborative, tailored to each individual. I honor this step you are taking to care for and invest in yourself. I believe in a therapeutic relationship built on value, compassion, warmth, and trust.  I’m excited about the opportunity to explore whether we could be a good fit on this transformative journey.

Peggy is supervised by Katya Ludwig, LCSW.

See our fees and insurance page to determine if Peggy is in network with your insurance plan.

You can reach Peggy directly at peggy@sprouttherapypdx.com