Find the Guidance You Need and the Tools to Move Forward.
Enhance your emotional resilience, cultivate self-compassion, and create lasting change — within yourself and your relationships.
Helping you mend, grow, and thrive — one mindful step at a time.
Empowering you to understand your emotions, nurture healthy connections, and grow into your strongest self.
My practice is deeply influenced by a blend of evidence-based frameworks and holistic healing philosophies. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness practices, and somatic approaches to support emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience. Rooted in the belief that healing is a whole-person journey, I center each client’s unique story with compassion, creativity, and real-world tools for growth. I also draw from empowerment-focused models that foster self-compassion, accountability, and meaningful connection — helping clients mend, rebuild, and thrive on their own terms.
My approach is warm, direct, and client-centered. I meet you where you are emotionally, while gently helping you move forward. You can expect a mix of deep listening, practical tools, and collaborative reflection. I integrate evidence-based practices like IFS, DBT, and mindfulness with psychoeducation and somatic work to help you reconnect with yourself, heal past wounds, and navigate current challenges with more clarity and strength.
I offer a space where you can safely explore grief, identity loss, and emotional overwhelm. Together, we unpack what’s happening internally using a mix of internal family systems (IFS), nervous system regulation tools, and compassionate accountability. Whether it’s a breakup, divorce, or a personal reset, my goal is to help you reclaim your self-worth, rebuild your sense of safety, and create a life aligned with who you truly are.
That’s totally okay — we start wherever you are. Many of my clients come in feeling unsure how to express emotions or trust the therapeutic process. I create a space of non-judgment and curiosity, and we take things one step at a time. I may offer grounding exercises, parts work, or even humor to make it feel more natural. Therapy doesn’t have to look one way — we’ll shape it to fit your pace and needs.
Imagine waking up one day, free from the emotional weight that’s been holding you back after your breakup or divorce. That overwhelming sadness, the confusion, the feeling of being stuck—it’s no longer controlling your life. Instead, you’ve gained clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self. Ready to begin your journey to emotional freedom? Let’s get started!
Emotional Freedom: Through personalized therapy and evidence-based practices, you’ll learn how to process and regulate your emotions, moving from heartbreak to a place of peace. Those painful triggers and emotional outbursts? You’ll know how to manage them with confidence.
Renewed Self-Identity: After the loss of a relationship, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost yourself. I want to help you reconnect with who you truly are, uncovering your strengths and building a new sense of purpose, outside the shadow of your past relationship.
A Clear Path Forward: My goal is to help you rewrite your story, empowering you to see the breakup as an opportunity for growth. Instead of being held back by the past, you’ll step into a future that you’re excited about, filled with opportunities and hope.
Breakup and Divorce Recovery: Helping individuals heal from the emotional aftermath of significant relationship loss, rebuild self-trust, and create a resilient new chapter.
Trauma-Informed Care: Specializing in working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and complex trauma, using a compassionate, empowering approach.
Mindfulness and Somatic Practices: Integrating mindfulness, somatic awareness, and embodiment techniques to support emotional regulation, self-connection, and nervous system healing.
Cognitive and Emotional Resilience Building: Using evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, and IFS to foster emotional awareness, self-compassion, healthier coping skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Relationship Dynamics and Communication Skills: Supporting clients in developing healthier patterns of communication, boundary-setting, and emotional expression, with a focus on secure relational attachment and personal agency.
Psychoeducation and Skill-Building: Providing education and tools for clients to better understand emotional processes, relational patterns, and strategies for long-term growth and well-being.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) gives clients powerful tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Mindfulness helps you stay grounded and aware in the present moment, especially during emotionally charged situations. I often blend these together to help you slow down, notice your triggers, and make choices that align with your values instead of reacting from old patterns.
Somatic therapy focuses on how emotions and trauma show up in the body — tension, numbness, tightness, or restlessness. In our work, I guide you through body-based awareness practices that help you feel more connected to your physical and emotional experience. This can be especially helpful for releasing stress, trauma, or grief that words alone can’t fully reach.
IFS is a gentle, empowering framework that helps you explore the different “parts” of yourself — like the inner critic, the overwhelmed part, or the one that shuts down. These parts often carry protective roles or past pain. In session, we’ll work together to get curious about these parts with compassion rather than judgment, helping you connect with your core Self — the calm, wise part of you that can lead your healing.
I prefer to work with ages 15 – 35
I offer a compassionate, grounded, and collaborative space where we explore your inner world together. My style is kind but direct — I’ll hold space for your emotions while gently challenging patterns that no longer serve you. You can expect a balance of insight, tools, and somatic awareness, always tailored to your pace and needs.
Yes — this is one of my areas of expertise. Through my practice, I specialize in helping individuals heal after breakups, rebuild identity, and move through grief with resilience. Whether you’re navigating emotional overwhelm or redefining your life, I help you reconnect to your sense of self and find clarity again.
I integrate several evidence-based and holistic modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and somatic trauma work. I also use communication tools like Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to support relational healing. Each session is customized to what works best for you.
Not at all. Many of my clients feel guarded or unsure at first, especially if they’ve been hurt or dismissed in the past. You don’t have to show up perfectly — just as you are. We’ll move at a pace that feels safe, using tools like body awareness, parts work, and gentle curiosity to help you feel more comfortable expressing yourself.
Healing isn’t about “fixing” you — it’s about rediscovering your strength, reclaiming your voice, and learning to relate to yourself with more compassion. I help clients build emotional awareness, improve relationships, and shift long-held patterns through small, meaningful steps. It’s a process, but one rooted in hope and deep self-trust.
Yes — if you find it helpful. I offer practices like journaling prompts, mindfulness exercises, communication tools, or somatic check-ins to integrate what we explore in session. I also offer psychoeducation to help you understand your nervous system, emotions, or relational patterns.
It’s totally okay to take time to decide. In our first few sessions, we’ll explore your goals, your comfort level, and what you’re needing from therapy. I’ll also be transparent about whether I believe I’m the right support for you. Ultimately, you deserve to work with someone who helps you feel seen, safe, and supported.
I use a combination of relational and skill-based frameworks to support emotional awareness and healthy communication. Through Nonviolent Communication (NVC), you’ll learn how to express your needs, emotions, and boundaries without blame or defensiveness. With DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), I teach you concrete tools for regulating overwhelming emotions, staying grounded during conflict, and being more present in your relationships. I also integrate somatic and mindfulness practices to help you notice what’s happening in your body — like tension, shutdown, or reactivity — so you can respond rather than react. We’ll practice these tools in session and explore the deeper emotional patterns beneath them, helping you move from disconnection to deeper connection — with yourself and others.
That depends on what you’re needing. I take a holistic approach — we explore the past to understand how early experiences, trauma, or relationship patterns have shaped your current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. At the same time, we stay grounded in the present by focusing on what you’re experiencing now and what tools will help you navigate it. Some sessions may center around processing grief or pain from the past, while others focus on building boundaries, communicating clearly, or regulating strong emotions in real time. My goal is to meet you where you are, help you make sense of your story, and support you in creating meaningful change moving forward.
You’re not alone in that — many people come to therapy unsure of how to express what they’re feeling. I offer a trauma-informed, client-paced approach that makes space for wherever you’re starting. We don’t rush. Instead, we build trust and safety first, and I support you in gently noticing what’s going on inside — whether it’s a tight chest, a flood of thoughts, or a protective shutdown. We might use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help identify and speak for parts of you that feel guarded or afraid of being vulnerable. I also offer language tools, emotion charts, and somatic awareness exercises to help you name and understand your emotional experience in a way that feels manageable. Over time, you’ll find your voice again — or maybe for the first time.
April Gaoiran, MSW, is a mental health professional with experience supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and trauma. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University and holds certifications as an Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach and in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. With years of practice in diverse settings—ranging from domestic violence shelters and sexual assault advocacy organizations to school environments and intensive trauma programs—April has cultivated a compassionate and evidence-based approach to support individuals in emotional crises.
April’s professional background is deeply rooted in trauma recovery, equipping her with a strong foundation in therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Her work with adolescents and adults in these settings has given her a unique understanding of how trauma impacts emotional well-being, self-worth, and personal identity. This experience has made her particularly effective in helping individuals navigate the complexities of heartbreak and loss, guiding them through their recovery with empathy and knowledge.
Driven by her own personal journey through a traumatic breakup, April recognized the lack of resources for individuals struggling to recover from the emotional toll of a relationship ending. April is committed to offering tailored, accessible support for those navigating the aftermath of breakups and divorce.
Her mission is to help others recover from emotional pain, providing them with the tools, strategies, and compassionate guidance necessary to rebuild their lives and thrive.
Yes. Clients may receive reflective journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, or values-based exercises tailored to their goals. These activities are meant to support insight, deepen self-awareness, and encourage continued emotional processing outside of the therapy room.
Limited availability. While regular communication is reserved for scheduled sessions, brief check-ins regarding scheduling or clarifying homework instructions may be accommodated via secure messaging. In cases of crisis, clients will be referred to appropriate emergency services or crisis lines.
Yes. As part of an integrative approach to care, the clinician may suggest psychoeducational resources—such as books, podcasts, or worksheets—to reinforce therapeutic themes and empower clients in their healing journey.
Therapy is deeply human work—and I believe part of that includes knowing your therapist is human too.
Outside the therapy room, I’m a passionate partner dancer and have traveled all over the world to study and connect through movement. Whether it’s dancing, biking through a new neighborhood, or hopping from café to café in a new city, I find joy in experiencing life with curiosity and intention.
Some of my favorite personal pastimes include:
Humor is a core part of who I am, both in and out of therapy. I truly believe laughter can be a powerful coping tool—it helps us stay grounded, loosen tension, and move through even the toughest seasons of life with a sense of lightness.
As a dancer and movement enthusiast, I also value the role of the body in healing. I incorporate somatic approaches into my work and often encourage clients to find their own version of movement—whether that’s walking, stretching, dancing, or anything else that feels authentic. Our bodies hold so much of our emotional experience, and movement is often key to helping us process and release it.
I graduated from Portland State University in 2020 with my Master’s of Social Work with an emphasis on Practice and Leadership in communities and organizations – a more macro level approach to social work.
I am working at Seshio as a CSWA (Clinical Social Worker Associate) which means I will be working under the license of my clinical social worker until I have enough hours to complete my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
I am planning to get certified as an EMDR and ART specialist once I receive my LCSW so I can continue to work more in depth in the areas of trauma recovery.
MSW – Portland State University 2020
Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach Certification 2024- Embody Lab
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. 2024- Embody Lab
I am deeply passionate about trauma-informed care and supporting individuals through experiences of adversity, loss, and emotional pain. My professional goal is to obtain my LCSW and continue advancing my clinical expertise through specialized training in evidence-based trauma modalities, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy). I am also currently working toward certification in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a modality I deeply value for its compassionate and integrative approach to healing.
My clinical interests include:
Throughout my professional journey, I’ve been actively involved in advocacy and prevention work. I have a strong background in domestic violence response and sexual health education, with a focus on promoting consent, healthy boundaries, and communication in intimate relationships. I feel a continued pull toward this area of work, and I hope to integrate education and advocacy into my clinical practice to help build a more informed and compassionate society.
In the future, I aspire to develop workshops and community resources that blend therapeutic knowledge with accessible education around trauma, consent, and embodied healing.
My sessions are client-centered and structured to foster clarity, empowerment, and forward movement. In our initial sessions, I take time to understand the client’s background, current challenges, and goals for therapy. I believe therapy should be solution-focused and time-limited in nature. My intention is not to create dependency, but to equip clients with the insight, tools, and coping strategies they need to heal and move forward in their lives with confidence.
Each session typically includes:
I recommend weekly sessions, especially in the beginning stages of treatment, to ensure continuity, support, and integration of therapeutic work. Weekly contact allows clients to receive consistent guidance while implementing changes and exploring deeper emotional processes.
Communication outside of sessions is limited. While therapy itself occurs during scheduled appointments, brief communication—such as clarifying homework, rescheduling, or addressing logistical concerns—can be accommodated via secure messaging. In the event of a crisis, clients will be referred to appropriate emergency services or crisis support resources.
Therapy is a collaborative process that requires mutual commitment:
Treatment goals are established collaboratively and revisited regularly.
Weekly check-ins during sessions help assess how clients are progressing toward their goals.
Brief standardized assessments may be administered every other month to support progress tracking and guide adjustments in the treatment plan as needed.
Clear and professional boundaries are essential for creating a safe and ethical therapeutic space. Clients are asked not to contact me through social media or personal platforms. All communication should occur via the company portal, email, or phone when necessary. Maintaining appropriate boundaries supports the integrity and effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship.
Amy Shuman, MSW, LICSW, DCSW: “As a trauma specialist in mental health, I have had the privilege to work collegially with April Gaoiran for the past 2 1/2 years. I have found her to be approachable and compassionate with clients and colleagues alike. She is astute in her assessment of our mental health clients and successfully communicates relevant information. I think a key to April’s success is her balance of her competence and her compassion. I enthusiastically recommend Ms. April Gaoiran, MSW.”
Bambi Rattner, PsyD: “April excels in building rapport with individuals from all walks of life. She possesses exceptional communication skills, allowing her to effectively gather information, explain complex issues, and put clients at ease during often stressful situations. She is also highly organized and detail-oriented, ensuring that the multiple steps of our intake process are completed accurately and efficiently. Beyond these core skills, what truly sets April apart is her unwavering compassion. She demonstrates a genuine interest in the well-being of each client and a strong desire to connect them with the resources they need. She has consistently demonstrated a passion for social justice and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. She has actively sought out opportunities to learn more about different forms of therapy and services, showcasing a strong commitment to this field.”
Nikki Gamache, MA, LMHC: “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside April for the past few years, and I can wholeheartedly say that she’s an exceptional colleague. Her dedication to our profession is truly inspiring. She’s passionate about helping individuals find the most appropriate treatment and approaches, and her compassion and care for her clients are evident in everything she does. April is a bright light in our field, bringing her whole heart to her work.”
