James Thatcher

Forest Psychological Clinic is a warm, community-oriented mental health practice located in the Portland, Oregon area (Lake Oswego). Our mission is to deliver affirming, science-based mental health care that empowers individuals to understand themselves, grow, and live with greater ease. We specialize in compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each person’s needs—helping children, teens, and adults thrive at every stage. Our team is LGBTQ+ friendly and neurodiversity-affirming, meaning we respect and celebrate every aspect of your identity – from gender and sexuality to neurotype. In fact, some of our clinicians have specialized training in gender-affirming care, so you can feel confident that your therapist understands and honors the needs of transgender and non-binary clients. As a trauma-informed clinic, we prioritize safety and trust, ensuring that you feel seen, heard, and supported throughout your time with us. Comprehensive ADHD & Autism Evaluations We provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD across the lifespan. Our assessments are thorough, private, and respectful—designed to offer clarity, guidance, and next steps through a supportive, personalized process. Importantly, these evaluations are neurodiversity-affirming: we offer warm, in-depth autism and ADHD assessments that honor neurodiversity. You’ll receive not just a label, but a deeper understanding of yourself and an actionable plan forward. We are known for being fast and accurate in our diagnostics – even providing same-day results so you can move forward with clarity and confidence without weeks of waiting. Whether you’re a parent seeking answers for your child, or an adult who has long wondered if you might be neurodivergent, our evaluation process will make you feel validated and informed. (We have particular expertise in recognizing neurodivergence in individuals often overlooked by traditional testing, such as women and gender-diverse people who don’t fit outdated stereotypes.) Our goal is that you come away feeling understood and equipped with solutions, because we don’t just provide labels – we provide support and next steps to help you thrive. Therapy for Children, Teens, Young Adults & Adults Beyond testing, we offer therapy and counseling services for clients of all ages – children, adolescents, young adults, and adults – facing a variety of challenges. Areas of treatment include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, behavioral issues, and family or school-related difficulties. Our therapeutic approach is highly personalized and evidence-based, drawing on modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, and family-systems techniques – all tailored to each client’s needs. Therapy at Forest Psychological Clinic is often skills-focused and collaborative; for youth clients, parents or caregivers are involved as appropriate to reinforce understanding and support progress at home. We believe true change is a journey (often a “winding dirt road” rather than a straight path), and our therapists serve as guides – helping clients not only overcome struggles but also build on their unique strengths and coping skills. In addition to individual counseling, we provide family therapy and parent guidance, creating a holistic support system for you and your loved ones. We are especially passionate about serving LGBTQ+ youth and adults. Many of our clients (and team members) are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we strive to ensure queer and trans individuals feel completely at home in our clinic. Whether you’re a non-binary teen navigating identity questions or a queer neurodivergent adult dealing with life transitions, you will find an affirming space here. Our clinicians understand the unique intersections of LGBTQ+ experiences with mental health and neurodivergence, and we provide culturally competent care every step of the way. For adults — many of whom are neurodivergent — we offer an affirming space to explore identity, work through burnout, and navigate major life transitions. No matter who you are, our priority is that you feel safe, respected, and empowered in therapy. What to Expect in Your First Visit Your first visit is all about making you feel comfortable and heard. Here’s what you can generally expect: Welcoming, Safe Space: You will be greeted with warmth and respect. Our office (or secure telehealth platform) provides a safe space where you can begin to find peace within yourself. We invite you to share what brings you in – your concerns, questions, and any aspects of your identity or background you’d like us to know. This is a judgment-free zone, and we’ll listen with compassion and openness. Collaboration & Understanding: Whether you’re coming for therapy or an evaluation, we’ll spend the first session getting to know you as a whole person. We’ll ask about your history, what you’re struggling with, and your goals for seeking help. If you’re a parent bringing your child or teen, we’ll also gather input from you and perhaps involve the young person in a manner that feels comfortable for them. Our clinician will explain how we can help and make sure you feel seen and understood from the start. Clear Plan & Next Steps: By the end of the initial visit, we will discuss our impressions and work with you to outline a path forward. If you came for a diagnostic assessment, we’ll review preliminary findings with you and, in most cases, provide same-day answers and guidance. (For example, after an autism/ADHD evaluation, we share the results and recommendations immediately, so you leave with clarity.) If you came to begin therapy, we’ll summarize the key issues to address and propose a therapy plan tailored to your needs. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions. We want you to leave that first session feeling hopeful, informed, and knowing what the next steps will be – whether that’s scheduling your next therapy appointment, starting a particular intervention, or accessing additional resources we recommend. Accessible Care (In-Person or Telehealth) & Getting Started We aim to make getting help as easy and accessible as possible. Our clinic is based in Lake Oswego (just south of Portland) in a comfortable, private office setting. We also offer convenient online telehealth sessions for clients anywhere in Oregon, so you can attend therapy from the comfort of your home. (Please note: due to ethical guidelines, diagnostic evaluations generally need to be conducted in-person for accuracy, but many therapy services can be done via secure video sessions.) We are happy to accommodate your scheduling and accessibility needs whenever possible. Getting started is simple: just reach out to us! We offer a free 10–15 minute phone consultation for new clients. During this consult, you can tell us a bit about what you’re looking for, ask any questions about our services, and ensure we’re a good fit for your needs. From there, we’ll help you book an intake appointment or evaluation at a time that works for you. At Forest Psychological Clinic, you can expect a warm, affirming, and expert team ready to support you. We know that seeking help can be intimidating, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals or neurodivergent folks who may have felt misunderstood in the past. Our promise is to provide an inclusive space where you are accepted exactly as you are and where our professional guidance will help you find clarity, healing, and growth. We are honored to be part of your journey and look forward to helping you thrive.