Hi, I’m
Dana Stroud
Mental Health Therapist
Portland,OR
Work Preference
Summary
I was raised on the water, in a commercial fishing family, where survival meant reading unpredictable systems, adapting fast, and trusting both data and instinct. I brought that same orientation into science, earning a Master's degree with a research focus on behavior, systems, and impact. Now I bring it into the therapy room. My clinical work lives at the intersection of systems thinking, trauma-informed care, and deep relational attunement. I specialize in neurodivergent populations, LGBTQ+ and ethically non-monogamous communities, anxiety, and complex trauma. These populations are underserved, often misunderstood, and consistently drawn to therapists who won't flinch. That's me. I use EMDR, somatic approaches, CBT, ACCT, and family systems models like Narrative Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapies not as a menu, but as a broad platform I adapt to the individuals in front of me. I don't just help people cope. I help them understand the systems - both internal and external - that shaped them, and build something better, somethings values-informed, and something that cultivates hope.
Overview
3
Years as a Therapist
8
Years as a Scientist
13
Years as a Mother
8
Years of College / University
1
Year as an Elected Official
Work History
Kelle DeBruin CounselingTigard, OR
Systemic Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
05.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Maintain an active caseload of 41 clients (scheduling 33/wk) across individual, couples, and family modalities, with a focus on trauma, neurodiversity, anxiety, and relational issues
- Deliver trauma-informed, EMDR-integrated treatment to adults navigating complex trauma histories, chronic illness, and identity-related concerns
- Develop individualized treatment plans grounded in diagnostic assessment and evidence-based, person-centered frameworks including Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, ACCT, and somatic approaches
- Provide affirming care to LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and ethically non-monogamous populations
- Coordinate with medical providers and school systems to support integrated, whole-person care
- Provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed
Congruent TherapyPortland, Oregon
Systemic Marriage and Family Therapist, QMHP
02.2024 - 05.2025
Job overview
- Delivered individual, couples, and family therapy with a specialization in anxiety, depression, relational conflict, ethical non-monogomy, and trauma
- Applied evidence-based modalities tailored to each client's presentation
- Administered psychological assessments to inform diagnosis and guide treatment planning
- Supported couples in rebuilding relational satisfaction through skill-building, communication work, and attachment-focused interventions
- Created a consistently safe, culturally responsive therapeutic environment for clients presenting with sensitive or stigmatized concerns
NeuroTherapeutic Pediatric TherapiesCanby, Oregon
Mental Health Therapist, QMHP
09.2023 - 02.2024
Job overview
- Provided individual and family therapy to pediatric and adolescent clients and adults, including those with neurodevelopmental differences, trauma histories, and co-occurring conditions
- Collaborated within interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated, holistic care addressing emotional, relational, and developmental needs
- Empowered clients and families with information to support them in locating natural community resources, building long-term self-advocacy and systems navigation skills
- Maintained ethical documentation standards in compliance with clinical and regulatory requirements
Education
Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN
Master of Science from Marriage And Family Therapy
09-2024
University Overview
Academic Honors Society Delta Kappa Pi
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, Washington
Master of Science from Biology
06-2011
University Overview
Magna Cum Laude | Contracted with Upper Columbia United Tribes for Indigenous salmon goals.
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA
Bachelor of Science from Biology
06-2009
University Overview
Skills
Clinical Skills EMDR Trauma-Informed Care Psychological Assessment & Diagnosis Crisis Intervention Treatment Planning CBT ACT EFT Somatic Approaches Family Systems Therapy
Specialized Competencies Neurodivergent-Affirming Practice LGBTQ & Gender-Affirming Care Ethical Non-Monogamy & Kink-Allied Therapy Nature-Based Regulation Restorative Justice Non-Violent Communication
Systems & Community Community Organizing Public Policy & Civic Engagement Interdisciplinary Collaboration OHP/Medicaid Billing & Navigation
Additional Information
Additional Information
EMDR for Trauma Treatment | Mind Works Professional Education | 2024 | Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma treatment; actively integrated into clinical practice with adult clients.
Equity-Informed Basic Mediation Certification | Resolutions Northwest | 2022 | Trained in facilitative, interest-based mediation with an explicit racial equity and anti-oppression lens; skills applied to family conflict, community organizing, and systemic advocacy work.
Transforming Dominant Culture | Tiana Doht Coaching | 2021 | Coaching Workshop focused on self-navigation, racial equity analysis, and practical frameworks for operating within and actively working to transform dominant culture structures.
Restorative Justice Training & Interrupting Social Media Activism | Resolutions Northwest | 2020 - 2021 | Trained in restorative justice principles and their application across personal, systemic, and community contexts; includes analysis of how identity and oppression dynamics operate within systems.
Timeline
Systemic Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Kelle DeBruin Counseling
05.2025 - Current
Systemic Marriage and Family Therapist, QMHP
Congruent Therapy
02.2024 - 05.2025
Mental Health Therapist, QMHP
NeuroTherapeutic Pediatric Therapies
09.2023 - 02.2024
Capella University
Master of Science from Marriage And Family Therapy
Eastern Washington University
Master of Science from Biology
Eastern Washington University
Bachelor of Science from Biology
Certification
- Nature-Based Therapy, Grow With Nature Consulting
- QMHP, MHACBO Oregon
- Equity Informed Mediator Certification
State Registration & Supervisors
State Registration & Supervisors
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate (MFT-A) | State of Oregon | Registration #R11082
Clinical Supervisors:
Kelle DeBruin, MA, LMFT | Oregon License #T1928
Alice Nelson, LMFT, AAMFT-Approved Supervisor | Oregon License #T1234
Community & Civic Leadership
Community & Civic Leadership
Board of Education Member, Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) | 2024 – Present Elected to public office serving the MHCC Board of Education. Leveraged board membership to join the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) Pride Advisory Committee, working to expand resources and institutional support for LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff across the region.
Member, AAMFT Queer and Trans Affirming Network | Active Developed an AI-powered advocacy chatbot prioritizing high-impact actions for members of AAMFT responding to anti-trans legislation nationwide. Tool generated ready-to-send correspondence - including recipient email addresses, subject lines, and ethically framed content - organized by urgency and grounded explicitly in the AAMFT Code of Ethics, reducing barriers to meaningful clinician participation in legislative advocacy.
School Board Member, Lupine Community Montessori Charter School (previously Lewis and Clark Montessori Charter), a charter of GBSD | 2020 - 2022 | Supported a school-wide values and mission update | Co-led a DEI initiative generating a 3- and 5-year strategic goal framework presented to the board for implementation | co-facilitated town hall series engaging the full school community in a values-aligned renaming process.
Administrator, Oregon Mediation Association | Portland, OR | January 2023 - Present Modernized organizational infrastructure for a statewide nonprofit, transitioning operations fully online and implementing systems improvements that reduced costs and expanded community reach.
Charter Review Committee Member, City of Gresham | Gresham, OR | January 2022 - April 2023 Appointed to a civic body tasked with reviewing and amending Gresham's city charter. Authored anti-oppressive language and constitutional amendments addressing anti-discrimination, gender-neutral language, and voting reform. Led community engagement efforts centering marginalized voices in the revision process.
Selected Publications & Presentations
Selected Publications & Presentations
Author and co-author on 15+ peer-reviewed reports and national conference presentations focused on Pacific salmon ecology, predator-prey dynamics, and Indigenous fisheries restoration. Full list available upon request.