At one time, I, too, desperately wanted to change my life. Before I became a psychotherapist in the beautiful city of Portland, I went through a series of devastating personal losses. Because of what I learned and continue to learn, it became my mission to help others rediscover their best selves.
Carol Maker, LCSW
I'm Carol Maker
“Carol Maker is brilliant. Really. Your marriage couldn’t be in better, safer, straight-shootin’ hands.”
JenniferPortland, OR
Experience the healing nature of INNER COURAGE Therapy
In my master’s program, I specialized in trauma and grief. Early in my career, I did treatment for DUII, batterers, drug and alcohol, and gambling. It was during a series of batterer treatment programs I ran that I developed a profound empathy for how and why someone becomes abusive. I also saw passive aggression could be as damaging as open aggression. Many of these clients had PTSD and ineffective, destructive role modeling for relationships.
This combination of factors rendered them powerless to get their needs met. They often lashed out in frustration with emotional or physical violence. Underneath their defense system, they were guilty and ashamed. I could see how these elements fit my story and used this understanding to help my clients. I use a unique blend of accountability and compassion to achieve powerful change in my current practice.
Comfort
You can feel comfortable knowing I’ve been through difficult times, and met many personal challenges myself. Like you, I’m a work in progress.
Empathy
My life experience gives me an innate understanding of the process, and deep empathy for what you are going through.
Experience
My experience is that there is hope for anyone who wants to change. It is an honor to be present when a client makes a fundamental shift in awareness, when anxiety and stress make way for calm wisdom.
Healing from the inside out.
I am an advanced practitioner of EMDR therapy, and I understand trauma — complex PTSD, attachment disorders, and family trauma — from the inside out. I support struggling parents (and those preparing to be parents). I support those adults estranged from their families (or contemplating estrangement). I support adults of all ages who are experiencing life transitions. If you are ready to do the work, I can help you gain control of out-of-control emotions and responses.
Suppressing painful emotions is not healthy. (I know; I did it for years!) The authentic healing path involves fully feeling emotions and transforming grief into wisdom. Then, you are much more likely to seek peaceful justice, spread kindness, and act consciously. The benefits of your health journey are immeasurable. It is in everyone’s best interests to heal inner conflicts and be responsible caretakers of our world.