Paris Schaefer

Paris Schaefer, PsyD (she/her), Part Time Staff Psychologist (3 days a week) 

Greetings Lewis and Clark community! I am a clinical psychologist and work as a staff clinician at the Student Counseling Center.

I’ve been working in college mental health for over 20 years at various institutions including Stanford University, Reed College, Cal Poly Pomona and most recently at University of Portland as the Associate Director for Counseling and Training. I have specialized training in short-term and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and my theoretical orientation incorporates tools from attachment theory, feminist and social justice perspectives as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and neuroscience. My clinical interests include college student adjustment and identity development, relationship issues, childhood stress, perfectionism, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and neurodivergence.

In addition to direct clinical services, my areas of interest include:

• the role of creativity in identity development
• activism as intervention
• psychotherapy and neuroplasticity
• mental health and campus climate
• psychotherapy training and supervision
• higher education administration

Ultimately, I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is the primary vehicle for change and my style is warm, non-judgmental, and strengths based.